Cycling tank with raw shrimp question

[russ722]

Started cycling a new tank last week and the amonia has taken a huge spike since then. Right now its anywhere between 4.0 and 8.0 . Reason i say between is because the tests resaults color can go either way its a dark greenish blue.

My question is when do i remove the shrimp? I would think leaving it in the amonia levels will never fall? What do i do?

 

[tritan]

I was told to just leave it in.. it will eventually fall apart to nothing.

 

[yote]

Remove the shrimp as soon as you see the ammonia.
Leaving it till it decomposes will just cause a longer cycle than is necessary.

 

[russ722]

Thanks guys took the shrimp out.got a couple more questions now, that i cant seem to find anywhere.

1. Water changes- i hear conflicting reports on this , do i wait until the cycle completes before i change it?

2. Whats next? Not much detail on what goes on next do i just keep testing for the amonia to drop and nitrates go up?

Thanks

 

[little_fish]

Wait until after the cycle to do a water change, and in the mean time - do more research! and keep testing

 

[russ722]

Shrimp is out and today the amonia went down and the nitrates jumped up to 2.0