Cycle Started... Remove shrimp?

[mharrison86]

I have a 90 gal tank with 20 gal sump/refugium. It has about 100 lbs of sand and about 45 lbs of cured live rock. I'm still waiting on my 60 lbs of base rock that I ordered 10 days ago from hirocks.com!!!! Anyway, I started my cycle 2 days ago with 3 shrimp. I tested the water today and found Nitrite @ 5 ppm and Ammonia @ 2.0 ppm.

1. The shrimp are partially decomposed. Should I remove them now that ammonia and nitrite are present or should I let them decompose fully?

2. Should I do a PWC to preserve the life on the LR?

3. I only have LS in the refugium. When should I add the macro algae to the fuge? After the cycle?


Thanks for your help!!

 

[vsnsofadrgn]

i think it would be fine to take it out now that theres ammonia present. i wouldnt do a water change, youll just prolong your cycle, most of the life should survive. i think you can add the macro whenever you want, but im not sure. maybe check for nitrates and make sure theres nutrients for it.