Damsels to cycle Tank

[Prip17]

Well i everyone,
i just got my nano tank up and running!! I have sand, some live rock in it, and some shells. My Lfs told me that i would have 2 get damsels in it to help cycle the tank, i wasnt to happy about this idea, but if i have to do it i will. Is there any other way?


Thanks very much! :D

[Fiji Live Rock]

Yes.

Use a couple pieces of shrimp. :wink:

[Travis]

Second the shrimp... Get a cocktail shrimp that is unseasoned of course and put it in your tank. That will get the cycle going nicely.

[Fiji Live Rock]

Awww there is nothing wrong with a little seasoning to "spice" up the life in your tank! :roll: :lol: :mrgreen:

[Aqua Cat]

One thing about using damsels if you do get them don't take them back, keep them, its not good for a fish too be stressed out by buying to start a tank then bring them back to a lfs.

However with that said damsels can be a very aggressive fish to other tank species so, if you don't want damsels use what the others have said and get the shrimp instead.

[GregD]

what are the shrimp/damsel for ni theory....

i read some webpage about cycling and it never mentioned anything like that...

fill a newbie in?

[Travis]

A shrimp/fish will start producing waste. The waste breaks down into ammonia, bacteria builds up to process the ammonia and converts it into nitrites, bacterial builds up to process the nitrites leaving you with nitrates.

In short, they are used to produce waste and and begin the Nitrogen Cycle.

[Travis]

One more thing... IMO you should not have any live critters in your tank through this process... also it can take 4+- weeks to complete the cycle.

[ReefMad1967]

Why does everyone cycle their tanks with fish!? I think its druel to put fish in an un mature tank. Thats like telling me to go in an unfinished house. If you already got the damsels you probably shouldn't take em out and back to the LFS. Tooooo much stress on them. :wink:

[MagnusApollo]

I read a really good article on using shrimp in tanks... was really handy when I set mine up.. didn't use fish (if really hate when people use fish for cycling).

http://www.reefnut.com/Basic%20Setup%20Article.htm
http://www.reefnut.com/Nano%20Setup%20Article.htm

Those are two good articles to start with.