Self induced second cycle

[CEverii]

So,like many of you have probably read my previous post, I think my 75g went through a VERY small cycle. I had only cured about 20lbs of LR in my tank, with 50lbs of already cured LR. So needless to say, my parameters only went up a few notches before falling to 0. Still worried that my water is still to new to house any fish yet, i put a few dead raw shrimp in my aquarium last night to set off a second cycle, to make sure that i am good to go. Just seeing if this was a wise move or not. Going to let it sit for another day and start checking my water. I'll probably not let the shrimp completly decompose in the tank, like the Fishless article instructed to do because i had a mini cycle, but maybe just use it to spike my anomia enough to make sure everything is gravy.

 

[redneckgearhead]

if the 50 lbs was already cured you might not see much of a cycle. but putting the shrimp in the tank to check it is a good idea IMO. You can never be too careful when adding expensive fish.

 

[CEverii]

if the 50 lbs was already cured you might not see much of a cycle. but putting the shrimp in the tank to check it is a good idea IMO. You can never be too careful when adding expensive fish.

Ok cool. Thanks for the fast respoce. I knew it wasnt going to harm anything, but I just wanted to make sure I wasnt wasting my time just in case.

 

[melosu58]

If your tank and LR is already cycle you`ll probably as mentioned above will not see much of cycle. Your water test kit will let you know.

 

[CEverii]

*UPDATE*

It's been two days since I threw the two raw shrimp in my tank. Yesterday, I also added about 35lbs of cured LR. So 48 hours after the shrimp and 24 hours after the LR addition, my parameters are still at at 0! Am I to assume that my tank is fully cycled and the bacteria is doing its job and ready for fish?

 

[thincat]

By adding your shrimp and extra LR you increase the amount of good bacteria in your tank and you should be able to add a couple of fish to your tank now. Most people make the mistake in saying that their tank is cycled and add to many fish. Your tank is only cycled to the amount of ammonia that was in the system. As you add more life to the tank the bacteria has to buildup to handle the new load ie: ammonia level.

 

[CEverii]

By adding your shrimp and extra LR you increase the amount of good bacteria in your tank and you should be able to add a couple of fish to your tank now. Most people make the mistake in saying that their tank is cycled and add to many fish. Your tank is only cycled to the amount of ammonia that was in the system. As you add more life to the tank the bacteria has to buildup to handle the new load ie: ammonia level.

Awesome thanks for that good news! I'm gonna go ahead and set my QT tank up now and let it run for a solid day or so before buying fish to put in it. Thanks again!

 

[thincat]

Be aware that a new QT can have an ammonia spike when a fish is added so monitor ammonia and nitrite and do a PWC if needed.