shrimp cycling

[Aqua360]

Hi all,

Just wanted to ask how people go about cycling their small 2-3 gallon set-ups for shrimp?

I'm thinking of using a spare marina 360 cylinder i have, which has a built in filter etc; but the thing hasn't been used in a year, so needs established before I can consider anything.

The obvious solution would be to get a filter pad, stick in the filter housing and turn on in my planted tank; but to be honest I really don't want to see a large white floating bit of plastic for 2-3 weeks!

I've also used quick cycling products before, but i'm hesitant in using them for shrimp...red cherries to be exact.

My only other option, is to take a small sponge from my planted tank, and run it concurrently with the marina filter. Opinions welcome!

 

[ian_m]

Cycling is not just cycling the filter. It is about getting bacteria to grow in the water column, in the substrate, on the glass, on your filter pipes etc. Best method is to get old filter pads (I once posted my old one to a mate) or filter "gunk" and place in new filter. Will still take 4-8 weeks to allow full colonisation of course, especially true if dealing with delicate shrimp.

You can of course speed things up, especially if an emergency tank is required, by dosing the tank daily with things like AmQuel (or AmQuel+ for nitrite and nitrate) that will remove ammonia.

 

[Lindy]

Shrimp tanks don't need cycled in the same way fish tanks need as they produce very little bioload and plants such as mosses and floaters will help remove any nasties. What you do need is biofilm and one of the best way to get this is add dead leaves such as oak, beech or catappa. Next most important is surface movement whether provided by an external/hob or sponge filter. I use ada amazonia in my shrimp tanks and it leeches ammonia that cycles my filters but I have used products that don't release anything just as successfully. I usually give a tank 3 to 4 weeks before adding shrimp. I keep taiwan bees.

 

[Lindy]

I should say the smallest tank I've kept shrimp in is 5 gallon and I wouldn't go any lower as keeping water stable is much more difficult. Most shrimpers I know don't use less than 50l tanks.