Raw shrimp?

I have see many have used raw shrimp to speed up their water cycling process. I have put a rwa shrimp in my tank for almost 2 week now. It cover in this whiteish and jelloish. And is about 3 or 4 time bigger than the raw shrimp. So I have decided to remove the shrimp today, and oh my is smell bad, very bad odor, I wash my hand 2 time with soap and I can still smell the odor on my hand. The sand, which I have the raw shrimp on even turn to purpleish color. Did I have the raw shrimp in the tank too long? Is my water going to be spoiled?

 

You will be fine, test your water, your cycle should be in full swing. I've cycled 3 tanks this way and I normally keep the shrimp in the tank until ammonia + nitrites hit zero. Then it's time for a water change + fish/CUC.

 

Thank, how long did you have the raw shrimp in the tank until ammonia & nitrites to hit 0? I planning on doing a 40 percent water change this weekend. Can I start adding snail and shrimp to eat the algae?

 

If I am correct you should wait to do the water change until your initial levels get to zero. It gives time for the bacteria to colonize and you don't want to deplete that with water changes.

 

Ok I need to pick up a tester. Thank

 

Did you have any live rock or sand to start the bacteria?

 

Yes I have live rock but sand is not live.