How to cycle a shrimp tank?

[Iwantshrimp]

I was wondering if I was to start cycling tank in january and got the shrimp in spring would having the cycling process be better because it was left out longer or would it be bad? Just want to get some algae growing... And how do you cycle a tank in the first place? I know that you have to get it set up with water and plants and snails and leave it out for a few weeks, but is there any specific details that I should know? Like how long does it take algae to grow, how much time after I get it full of water should I put the macroalgae and snails in, how to I know when it's ready for shrimp?

[KenCotigirl]

At times i hate with a passion modern technology. I just responded to this post on my ipad and deleted it prior to sending. Aargh!!! Well here i go again with an another.

All your answers are found in the 'supershrimp' link above. However I was and still am anxious and desire the reassurance Of others even when the answers are right in front of me.

Buy a tank, substrate, light and reef salt. Water from one of four choices. RO, distilled, bottled (many bottled water is RO water with minerals added) or tap. If you have no other choice but to use tap please dechlorinate it. Add salt at one half the amount specified on the label to give you brackish water. Run this setup with light on for a month. Bacteria and algae should start growing on the tank surfaces. Then buy macro algae and ten snails from a brackish water tank supplier. Wait another month and order shrimp. The tank should be mostly cycled and ready for shrimp. Also shipping in March should be safer.

REMEMBER THAT EVEN THE HARDIEST SHRIMP ARE MORE SENSITIVE THAN AQUARIUM FISH. DO NOT RUSH THIS PROCESS. THE WAIT IS WORTH IT. USING MUSTAFA's RECOMMENDATIONS WILL RESULT IN YEARS OF CARE FREE FUN. WHY REINVENT THE WHEEL?!

[Iwantshrimp]

Thanks

[narutoonepiece95123]

I didnt know I had to wait a whole month to buy the micro and the snails and another to buy the shrimps. Thank you for the update.

[KenCotigirl]

The key is patience. The time i gave is my suggestion. I inferred that 'iwantshrimp' was worried about shipping in january. So the scenario i gave put shipping in late march when temps are warmer. The site directions i believe say two to three weeks then order shrimp. Again feel free to follow this sites directions. If you want cut out the first month and buy the only the algae and start setup. Then wait a month and buy shrimp and snails. Sorry for any confusion.
Ken

[Mustafa]

At times i hate with a passion modern technology. I just responded to this post on my ipad and deleted it prior to sending. Aargh!!! Well here i go again with an another.

Ouch! I know how you feel. Happened to me many times in the past...I've lost many hours worth of emails and forum posts that way. Although improvements can always be made, let's be thankful that we have such modern technology. Trying to run a nationwide (or, rather, worldwide) forum with snail mail and magazine publications would pretty much be impossible. Your "post" would appear in next quarter's magazine, and someone's reply the quarter after. Imagine looking up simple information (e.g about shrimp) without the internet....obsolete books in the library? 20 year old encyclopedia? Hearsay? Progress is good.

[Mustafa]

The site directions i believe say two to three weeks then order shrimp. Again feel free to follow this sites directions. If you want cut out the first month and buy the only the algae and start setup. Then wait a month and buy shrimp and snails. Sorry for any confusion.
Ken

I'd say 2-3 weeks *minimum*. The longer the better actually. 1-3 months (depending on when real algae growth appears) is probably "perfect." You can pretty much put in snails (and macroalgae if you want) at the first sign up algae growth. If the snails look like they're doing ok after a few more weeks, put in the shrimp.

[narutoonepiece95123]

Hi everyone,

I think this might be a dumb question but, is it possible to use the water from the Macroalgae to cycle the tank?

I have read forms and talked to the local pet store on how to cycle a new tank and many say to just buy fish. The fish will cycle the tank because any living animal produces ammonia. I have seen videos on you tube that you can cycle a tank by using good bacteria from a old tank to cycle the new tank.

Do you think it is a good idea or am I wrong?

Thank you,
Brian

[Mustafa]

Don't worry about it Brian...a Supershrimp tank will practically cycle itself over time. Just wait until you detect some algae growth in the tank. As I said before..your tank looks fine the way it is. Just wait now.

[narutoonepiece95123]

Okay thank you.