tank left fishless....keep it cycled??

[PurpleSmurf]

Mini-cycles typically aren't too damaging to fish unless you're trying to house highly-sensitive species. I think you'll be okay with the prawn method if you just dose with ammonia one week prior to adding fish.

As for the "knowing" what bioload the tank can take by using ammonia... that just seems silly. There's no ml. of ammonia to fish waste conversion and no real way to know what kind of waste your fish are producing.

 

[ashdavid]

Using prawns isnt very accurate however.

If you dose with ammonia you'll know the exact bio load that tank can hold.

If the prawn produces less ammonia than the future fish, it'll go through a mini cycle.

Here in Aussy Id have to say its cheaper to buy a bottle of ammonia than prawns. :rant:

And were in Australia do you live, b/c on the Gold coast I have bought prawns for under 10 bucks a kilo at my local co-op, so getting one prawn might cost you maybe 20 cents. As for the the ammonia, the tank is only a 30g and one roting prawn will be fine for most of the established bacteria to continue fuctioning and if you are concerned about the bacteria dying put a few in, but I think you will be fine with the shrimp method.

 

[Bronx19]

Mini-cycles typically aren't too damaging to fish unless you're trying to house highly-sensitive species. I think you'll be okay with the prawn method if you just dose with ammonia one week prior to adding fish.

As for the "knowing" what bioload the tank can take by using ammonia... that just seems silly. There's no ml. of ammonia to fish waste conversion and no real way to know what kind of waste your fish are producing.

There is no conversion, but after using ammonia for a few years you get to know how many fish you can comfortably hold if dosing with a certain amount.

 

[Bronx19]

And were in Australia do you live, b/c on the Gold coast I have bought prawns for under 10 bucks a kilo at my local co-op, so getting one prawn might cost you maybe 20 cents. As for the the ammonia, the tank is only a 30g and one roting prawn will be fine for most of the established bacteria to continue fuctioning and if you are concerned about the bacteria dying put a few in, but I think you will be fine with the shrimp method.

haha.. Id feel a dill asking for a prawn.

 

[judobadger]

OK sounds like both will work...ammonia will work and is easy to get but now I am intriqued by the whole shrimp/prawn thing. First what is a prawn? Is this just another term for a dead shrimp? Next question where in the world would you get them?

 

[ashdavid]

Prawn is Australian for shrimp, it has nothing to do with it being dead. I have no idea were to get some shrimp in America, a shop that sells fish I would think.

 

[judobadger]

Doesn't matter what kind of shrimp right? I guess I could just buy some at the grocery store. Same place as the ammonia...

 

[Kasakato]

Nope, just pick up one or two shrimps, take a bite out of them and toss them into the tank.

 

[ashdavid]

Doesn't matter what kind of shrimp right? I guess I could just buy some at the grocery store. Same place as the ammonia...

Yep, thats right any will do,a strip of fish meat will do the job also.

 

[RTR]

But rotting shrimp, or rotting anything for that matter, can stink. I tried that technique once and ended it abruptly from the smell. Not in my fish tanks.

And yes, you can quantitate the required ammonia - a properly stocked tank will generate between 1 and 2 ppm ammonia per day. Loading ammonia to 3ppm on alternate days will keep a matgin of safety in your nitrification bacterial colonies. Alternating days with prepared fish food will do the same for the heterotrophic bacteria. Neither will smell up the room.