Adding of Raw Prawn

[linkiat]

Read in some discussion that to start the Nitrogen Cycle, we can use raw prawn. But not very sure what it means. Do they mean go to the freezer, grab a prawn, de-thaw it, and then throw it into the tank ? Wont this pollute the water overly ? And also how long do I need to put it in there ?

Thanks for any help provided.

[seamonkee]

The nitrogen cycle kick starts with the onset of ammonia which is derive from dead organic materials or waste. Yup, it is the right practice to put a deshelled market prawn to kickstart this cycle.

U dun have to worry about it dirtying your water. I take out mine once my ammonia reach peak level and starts to decline (You can tell by measuring the nitrite level).

Cheers!

[linkiat]

So do I need anything else in the tank ? will the sand and the bio balls breed the necessary bacteria or do i have to put in live rocks at this time or even at a later stage ?

[dradttg]

Live rocks and sand are the main items that requires cycling.

You will need powerhead and filter to keep the water going.

No coral.

[linkiat]

Bio balls okay ? I haven't gotten around to buying LR yet.... so expensive.

[dradttg]

Without LR I think it is ok.

But when you decide to add LR later on, you have to recycle your tank again.

[linkiat]

true, but wont the cycling be faster now that I have bacteria in the aquarium ? it's a matter of increasing the population right ? also once introduce the LR, remove the prawn the LR will take over the ammonia generation right ?

[terryansimon]

you don't really decrease the cycling time by adding in more liverocks.

you do however, give the specific bacteria more space to cling on to during that period of time, which means you cultivate a larger colony of beneficial bacteria! (=