Shrimp Cycling

[Gerard-L]

I'm not exactly new to tank cycling and the nitrogen cycle but what am I looking for when I cycle my tank, obviously I know when cycling it affects ammonia and nitrites and nitrates but my tests I've done on my tap water have come back surprisingly safe. About how long should I cycle my tank for?

[ZxC]

Originally Posted by Gerard-L

I'm not exactly new to tank cycling and the nitrogen cycle but what am I looking for when I cycle my tank, obviously I know when cycling it affects ammonia and nitrites and nitrates but my tests I've done on my tap water have come back surprisingly safe.Attachment 311195 About how long should I cycle my tank for?

How is your tap water safe? It's the tank water we need to cycle.
Your cycle can take anywhere from 1 hour to 2 months.
How do you plan on cycling the tank?
Is this a shrimp only tank?

[King Fisher]

I'll add that you should probably scrap those test strips and get an API freshwater master test kit if you want better accuracy.

[Autumnsky]

Are you wanting to use a shrimp for the ammonia source to build your beneficial bacteria? Or cycling a tank to house shrimp?

[Autumnsky]

The link in my signature is a great Aquarium Advice link /article for a full arsenal of information to build and keep a tank. It also explains the nitrification cycle which is what you build your BB with. Provides more links for extra fun stuff to know about.