Fish: Re: [tropical fish club] Water to cycle?

While nitrifying bacteria do mostly live on the surface areas within the aquarium and equipment, there is also some that will be free in the water column, it's just minimal. But, minimal is enough to get a small tank with nothing in it but shrimp started. If any plants or decor was also taken from the established tank, that, too, would transfer some of the bacteria culture with it.
The other thing important to remember here is that unless the shrimp were fed heavily, the amount of waste in this tank you mention is going to be minimal. So... if there's a small amount of bacteria transferred via water/decor and only a small amount of ammonia coming from the shrimp and their food, the tank would balance quickly.

This is the same method I use for setting up most of my new tanks as I get them, and then I start out with 1 small fish or 2 small fish (depending on tank size) just to get things started... sometimes I have used plants, and other times I have used inverts (shrimp, snails, etc.) The ammonia never really spikes, and the transition through nitrite is minimal and doesn't bother the animals for the day or 2 it lasts, and the nitrates are low because there is minimal amount of waste to be broken down in the first place. As long as the next animals are added slowly, only a couple at a time, and spaced weeks apart, the tank never goes through all of those big adjustments that happen when a person sets up a new tank (in any way) and then stocks it with full population (or near total) all at once/right away. There are many benefits to having patience in this hobby.

Dawn

Dawn Moneyhan
Aquatics Specialist/Nutritionist
To learn more about me go to
http://www.helium.com/users/449334

--- On Wed, 10/31/12, Jill Sweeten <shobxrs2@yahoo.com> wrote:

From: Jill Sweeten <shobxrs2@yahoo.com>
Subject: [tropical fish club] Water to cycle?
To: "tropicalfishclub@yahoogroups.com" <tropicalfishclub@yahoogroups.com>
Date: Wednesday, October 31, 2012, 10:10 AM

I am currently cycling a Fluval Spec with ammonia I was on the Planted Tank forum yesterday and saw a nano tank someone had set up with shrimp. The photo said the pic of the tank was taken at 1 week old. I sent a reply asking how he go the tank to cycle so quickly as I thought that shrimp where very sensitive to water parameters. He responded that he didn't cycle it, he just used water from another tank. My question is this, wouldn't ammonia build in this tank since bacteria has not been able to build in the filter media?

Jill

Sent from my iPad

On Oct 30, 2012, at 11:16 PM, Cari <cahyman@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Hi Ray, how are you after storm?? We have no power but are very lucky. I think only part of one gutter guard came off when a tree fell. Hope all is well!!!

>

> Sent from my iPhone

>

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