Starting a SW tank, some good advice

[JasonA]

Originally posted by Sting
When cycling using the shrimp, after the cycle is complete do you have to remove the shrimp or do they completely desintegrate?

I also would like to know the same..

They are getting pretty nasty !!

 

[Corax]

Nope, they will soon completely vanish as the bacteria digest them. Have you enjoyed the jelly factor of em? I thought is was hillarious to watch a liquid within a liquid quiver =)

Some people do a big water change after it's all over, but I personally don't see that as being necessary. I mean, every trace of the shrimp will have been digested, what is left to change? Perhaps it is to remove the nitrate that is building up, but soon your DSB will take care of that for you.


Onion, I'm honored

 

[JasonA]

Cool...there is already Alge growing on the sand in a few places..

I just did some more readings and it's in the other post.

 

[JasonA]

Progress, Readings and pics for 2nd. Week (3rd. in operation)

Well things are coming along. Certain levels have dropped and everything is looking peachy....

First the pics....and the water is almost perfectly clear but I do have to clean the glass..

Shrimp melting away !!!

Readings for 6-10..

PH= 8.2 (up from 8.1 and are now normal!!!)
Ammonia= 0ppm (down from .25ppm and is zero now !!!)
Nitrite= 5.0ppm (dropping fast from off the chart 4 days ago !!)
Nitrates= 80ppm (down from OFF THE CHART !! as my kit goes to 160ppm !!!)

Temp/ SG = Same


So things are really coming along now after 3 weeks of operation. The shrimp are quickly melting away and things are looking good..

I'll do 1 more on Thursday and I'm out for the weekend...

We'll see what happenes in 2 days !!

Jason

 

[Sting]

Wow, that's awesome! Those shrimp look nasty- Did they ever sart smelling?

 

[JasonA]

Originally posted by Sting
Wow, that's awesome! Those shrimp look nasty- Did they ever sart smelling?

No, they really never did. I assume that would have been thanks to the incredible levels of Nitrates and Nitrites I had..

I took my little cleaner stick, and barely touch one of them and it just disintegrated into an almost dust like powder !!!

The tank was a bit cloudy with all the shrimp particles but after a hr. or so it's clearing back up... could not believe that !!!

I turned off the skimmer for now...gonna wait a few days and then after the 3rd. week, it'll run all the time...

I hoping by 4th. of July I'll be able to start getting some fish

 

[Ray Pollett]

Don't forget the detrivores(and Clean up crew) - I always give them three weeks in a tank before the fish after the cycle is done. I also start to feed twice daily when I add the Detrivores( and Clean up Crew). You will be suprised at how much healthier you tank can be if you take the time now.

Ray

 

[always learning]

Brine shrimp

I was thinking of buying a kit and grow brine shrimp, but I'm wondering if I should do that or just buy from the store. What do you feed with?

 

[Ray Pollett]

I feed an asortment of flake foods. I just grind the flakes between my fingers as I drop them in the tank. Over feed a little. You will have a lot less algae problems later from my experience.

Ray

 

[always learning]

actually I ment for feeding of fish, crabs... but thanks anyway and do you use freeze dried or sometimes frozen for fish? if not what do you use?

thanx,
always learning.