Aquatic Plant Central - View Single Post - A bit confused on cycling a new shrimp tank.

Burks · 07-03-2006, 01:07 PM

I want to do a 10g planted shrimp tank and have been researching how to do so. I know how to cycle a regular tank with and without fish so that's no problem. There have been two ways I've read it being done.

#1. Cycle the tank like you would with a regular planted fish tank. Plant the plants and then add hardy fish or just do a fishless cycle. Remove fish after tank is cycled, replace with shrimp.

#2. Plant the plants and add shrimp a few weeks later. The plants will do the biofiltration until the bacteria takes hold.

Which would be the best bet? The tank will be fairly well planted with fast growing WS, some moss, Nana, HC, etc. Just kind of sitting here scratching my head as to which is the preferred method here or if there is another way.

Edit: While we're on the subject. How do you keep the substrate clear of shrimp waste? I'd hate to gravel vac one up!

07-03-2006, 01:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
Burks Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Crestline, OH Posts: 906 iTrader Ratings: 8 iTrader Positive Rating: 100% Plant Points: 31220	A bit confused on cycling a new shrimp tank. I want to do a 10g planted shrimp tank and have been researching how to do so. I know how to cycle a regular tank with and without fish so that's no problem. There have been two ways I've read it being done. #1. Cycle the tank like you would with a regular planted fish tank. Plant the plants and then add hardy fish or just do a fishless cycle. Remove fish after tank is cycled, replace with shrimp. #2. Plant the plants and add shrimp a few weeks later. The plants will do the biofiltration until the bacteria takes hold. Which would be the best bet? The tank will be fairly well planted with fast growing WS, some moss, Nana, HC, etc. Just kind of sitting here scratching my head as to which is the preferred method here or if there is another way. Edit: While we're on the subject. How do you keep the substrate clear of shrimp waste? I'd hate to gravel vac one up!