Cycling with a raw prawn

**serbusfish** · 03-11-2014, 11:45 PM

I have just purchased an Aqua One Nano Cube 30 tank for my betta. I wasnt able to obtain any ammonia or a shrimp to cycle so I put a raw prawn in, is this going to cycle the tank OK? I am getting an ammonia reading around 4mg/l, I put some existing media from my main tank in but the ammonia rating is still around the same value.

**madagascariensis** · 03-12-2014, 12:45 AM

if you already have a tank established, just take a gunky filter sponge and give it a few good squeezes in the new tank.

**mommy1** · 03-12-2014, 12:46 AM

Yes it will work. The only reason ammonia is preferred is because it is easier to control the amount of ammonia in the tank.

**serbusfish** · 03-12-2014, 03:31 AM

Originally Posted by madagascariensis

if you already have a tank established, just take a gunky filter sponge and give it a few good squeezes in the new tank.

Interesting, never heard about doing that before, so what just squeeze all the crap out into the tank?

Originally Posted by mommy1

Yes it will work. The only reason ammonia is preferred is because it is easier to control the amount of ammonia in the tank.

OK awesome, btw once the cycle is complete how much water % do I need to replace before stocking?

**madagascariensis** · 03-12-2014, 04:14 AM

well, it isn't really the "crap", although fish waste certainly does get transferred.
it is the bacteria living in the established filter sponge that you want to inoculate the new tank with.
but basically you are right. just squeeze a sponge out that had previously been left uncleaned for a while,
or if you have lots of sponges then move the entire thing into the filter of the new tank.

**mommy1** · 03-12-2014, 06:20 AM

Once the tank is cycled change out as much water as you can, fish like fresh water.

**serbusfish** · 03-12-2014, 06:11 PM

Right OK thanks will squeeze one in when I get home from work. Is the single prawn I have enough to cycle the tank or will it need replacing at some point?

**Slaphppy7** · 03-12-2014, 06:18 PM

As long as you are getting desired ammonia readings, the single prawn will do....you may be getting a not-so-pleasant odor from the tank before long

**Jenalee** · 03-12-2014, 07:28 PM

We cycled with a raw shrimp. It worked out really well and only took us about 3 weeks.

**mommy1** · 03-12-2014, 09:15 PM

You might want to put that prawn in a nylon or something so it's easier to take it out when the cycle is done. Not only do they start to smell, they get kinda gooey too.