Is the lady at the LFS wrong, I think so

[BoomerD]

Originally Posted by tbittner

This is where I do it differently from everyone else. I just throw it in and let the CUC clean it up later. Most recommend putting it in a panty hose or something fine meshed like that so you can remove the remains.

Yep, me too...but then again, I'm a real sick-o!

I actually enjoyed watching the bacteria form a "cocoon" around the shrimp as it decomposed, then watching the bristleworms come out to clean up the decaying shrimp...

HOWEVER, many people just stick the shrimp into a piece of old nylon stocking or a mesh bag too...

Be prepared for the STINK as it rots in the tank...


IMO, this is a MUCH more humane way to cycle a tank than by using damnsels.

[Lee]

You could always cycle with damsels and then keep them. They're cute little fish. I had some for about 5 months until they started ganging up on my Tang, then I gave them away.

[BoomerD]

Originally Posted by Lee

You could always cycle with damsels and then keep them. They're cute little fish. I had some for about 5 months until they started ganging up on my Tang, then I gave them away.

That's what most people are trying to encourage people NOT to do. Cycling with damnsels exposes them to very harsh conditions, and usually kills several of them in the process. Besides, damnsels are nasty agressive fish...cute and colorful when they're small, but if damnsels got as big as sharks, people would NOT go in the water...neither would sharks!

[lcstorc]

LOL You guys are talking about one shrimp stinking up the house. You should have come over the last time I made mush. That was awful but at least it was gone pretty quickly. The shrimp stays around for a while.
I have seen people put a shrimp in every couple of days when they want a really strong cycle and be sure not to shock the system with the first fish or two. Not really sure if you need to, but some do.