cycling tank

Alright its just my opinion but I wouldn't want to be filtering out the waste thats going to help your tank cycle

 

i understand what your saying, i will keep researching in the meantime

 

I'm starting the cycle on my tank too. Should I really let the whole shrimp just decay in my 30 gal tank-or should i pull it out after some time. The water is getting really cloudy and smells pretty bad without filtering.

I also just have base rock in mine-that's not a problem, right?

Thanks!

 

Yes you should be using the base rock, thats not a problem...
The question about the filters:
I believe psi is right, I wouldn't use and carbon with the FF... It will hinder your main goal and eventually leach back into the system if not changed out properly...

 

It doesn't have to be "live".. but you will need some sort of biological filtration.
Mainly rocks and sand.
A Typical Break-In Cycle