Bacteria for Cycling a Shrimp central system

[jone]

Hello, looking for advice for the initial bacteria injection to a new shrimp central system....I have used other products for cycling fish tanks but would love opinions for bacteria in cycling a shrimp system..I have a large group of mystery snails for tank cyclers..Any/All help would be greatly appreciated...

[somewhatshocked]

If you have another tank that's already cycled, you can move a bit of filter media over to the new tank, move a bit of sold substrate over or even squeeze a cycled sponge into the tank.

Then just use an ammonia source to get the tank cycled/feed the bacteria.

[acitydweller]

Check out Borneo wild and mosura product lines. Both offer products that supposedly aid in seeding tanks wi beneficial bacters which encourage biofilm and offer beneficial antioxidant properties specific for shrimp.

[lipadj46]

tetra safe start is the most effective

[Rob in Puyallup]

I like Nutrafin Cycle myself, though all of the above will work.

[somewhatshocked]

Just remember that most hardcore shrimpers here prefer that cycles run for 4-6 weeks before any shrimp are ever added to a system. That allows time for microfauna and biofilm to grow to a point where shrimp colonies can really thrive.

So adding a bacterial supplement really just kick starts things a bit. Those bottled bacteria typically die off and allow others to grow. Which is fine, really, but you should still run your 'cycle' for a longer period of time than would be necessary for many fish.

[Rob in Puyallup]

Good point, Jake.

I've always added well aged, long soaked in aquarium with attached plants or algae *driftwood* to new tanks as well. Thinking that helps a lot with the biofilm. I always have a supply in my guppy tank. You can frequently find it at the chain pet stores.

Added live rock to my newest tank that is filled with brackish water...

[somewhatshocked]

That does help a ton. Moving previously used wood, rock and plants is a great way to help nudge things along - especially with shrimp.

[jone]

Thanks everyone for the help..Ended up buying Seachem Stability with another dry form of bacteria to jump start my bio in my new shrimp central system..I used 2 forms of bacteria to maximize diversity in the bacteria column to try to keep it at it best.. Thanks again everyone..

[BoCoMo]

I cycle with eco complete and use double foam filters and swap one of the new foams for an established foam from another tank. I plant the tank with some large swords from big tank and bring some fish from other tanks over to hang out for a few days. When the shrimp get here I kick the fish out, put the swords back, top the eco complete with stratum or similar, re-scape with the plants I want, drip the shrimp and then net them and introduce them to their new home. I do 10% wc eod for a week just to be sure then 20% wc every week.

(This is just the way I do it and I am sure some will say some steps are necessary and not done and some are done and not necessary but I have happy shrimp and many are "hard to keep" shrimp)

Side note: I use RO water only on my shrimp tank.

[Green_Flash]

do bacteria in a bottle really work? that is the question....

[mordalphus]

Originally Posted by Green_Flash

do bacteria in a bottle really work? that is the question....

Indeed they do, there was an article posted here a while ago that actually measured theicing bacteria in bottled mixes and found that there is significant amounts of nitrfying bafteria in them.

That said, I have used a Japanese product with great results, however I cant find it for sale online. Its for cycling discus tanks, so its perfect for low pH shrimp tanks too.

B-6 I think is the name.

[somewhatshocked]

I am pretty sure this means it's time for you to take another trip to Japan, Liam, so you can bring back fancy bacteria!