quick cycle question

[Elle2]

Hi,

I have a live plant which has died after the first week of the cycle. Should I take it out or will it decomposing help my cycle at all?

Thanks,

Elle

[zachxlutz]

decaying plant matter will cause excess phosphates to appear in your tank. These phosphates will promote algae growth, something you don't want!

cheers.

[TomK2]

I would take it out. What else are you using to cycle?

[Elle2]

A dead shrimp. You can see pictures of it on the driftwood post (though you probably don't want to)

[perle]

I don't think decaying animals produce ammonia, which is what you need for cycling. What made you decide to use that?

On the other hand I don't really know anything.

~perle

[GlitcH]

I used four medium sized shrimp to cycle my 92G ........between the shrimp and a filter I had on another tank for a few months.........they cycled my tank in just over 2 weeks.

[perle]

You are saying you used four dead shrimp? Very interesting if so.

~perle

[zachxlutz]

decaying animals do produce ammonia which is needed for cycling.

check out this link for fishless tank cycling. it applies to freshwater even though it doesn't mention it.

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/articl...q=2&fldAuto=15

[Zagz]

If you don't want to use shrimp, get some pure ammonia and use it instead. It doesn't smell the way rotting shrimp does and you don't have to wait for the shrimp to rot to start the cycle.

[GlitcH]

Originally Posted by perle

You are saying you used four dead shrimp? Very interesting if so.

~perle

Yep......and here's another source on the ammonia method that zags mentions.
http://www.aquatic-hobbyist.com/prof...sscycling.html