10G Cycling

[RinaLane]

I'm going to make a 10 gallon tank home for cherry shrimps. I'm going to use water from my big tank. Do I still need to cycle for a week an empty tank?

 

[BiggTexx]

In general, using the water alone will not cycle the tank. You can seed the new filter with some media from your other tanks filter to speed up the cycling process.

I will let someone else comment on the shrimp aspect, as I belive I have seen it mentioned that use shrimp to cycle, or speed the cycle.

 

[RinaLane]

Is empty I mean no substrate or plants. I'm getting shrimps with moss & thats it. I have filter on but not sure its needed

 

[RRaquariums]

What kind of filter are you using? Usually for cherry shrimp people will use a sponge filter of you can get a small one of those along with the moss and add some tank water from your current tank the cycling should be pretty fast.
If your going with a hang on back filter you will need to cover the intake with some sponge so the little shrimp don't get sucked up to cycle it start with fresh dechlorinated water and add a little media from your current tank and let it start your cycle just like normal.
If your going without a filter completly and relying on the moss alone that can be done just add brand new fresh water that's been dechlorinated and add your moss then after its sat for a day or two add shrimp then just keep up on your water changes to keep the water clean and your shrimp happy.
Good luck with the shrimp I'm hoping to get some cherry shrimp myself here soon they are awesome

 

[RinaLane]

What kind of filter are you using? Usually for cherry shrimp people will use a sponge filter of you can get a small one of those along with the moss and add some tank water from your current tank the cycling should be pretty fast.
If your going with a hang on back filter you will need to cover the intake with some sponge so the little shrimp don't get sucked up to cycle it start with fresh dechlorinated water and add a little media from your current tank and let it start your cycle just like normal.
If your going without a filter completly and relying on the moss alone that can be done just add brand new fresh water that's been dechlorinated and add your moss then after its sat for a day or two add shrimp then just keep up on your water changes to keep the water clean and your shrimp happy.
Good luck with the shrimp I'm hoping to get some cherry shrimp myself here soon they are awesome

Yes I bought the cheapesr one from ebay http/www.ebay.com/itm/251070894580?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AITAnd replaced inside piece of sponge & active carbone with piece of Poret foam.
 
I didnt know that its possible to have a tank without filter!

 

[Byron]

I didnt know that its possible to have a tank without filter!
 

 
Yes it is, but one has to be careful.  This is where plants do the filtration, and provided there are sufficient (the growth rate impacts this as faster growing plants use more nutrients so they remove ammonia and stuff faster) and the fish load is not beyond the capability of the plants and system (there will still be nitrifying bacteria of course, just not in a filter), it can run fine.
 
I did an experimental 10g a couple of years back, with play sand, plants, and pygmy corys, Boraras brigittae, a couple shrimp, snails.  No filter, no light (in a west-facing window), just a heater.  Regular weekly 50% water changes.  It ran fine for about a year, fish were healthy, plants grew.  The issues I found with this was observing the tank--without a light and with the window behind the tank.  Second issue was that algae appeared on the back glass of course; controlling daylight is not as easy as tank lighting,  Third, the plants grew to the back rather than upward, as they grow towards the light source.  And fourth, the water was clean but not crystal clear.  I finished the experiment and added a single sponge filter and a light and moved the tank out of the window.
 
Edit:  Ch4rlie's post after mine reminds me that I intended to say similar, that you're best advised to have a filter.  I completely agree.  I've maintained fish for 25 years before I tried this.  Not that it is "difficult" but one does have to be vigilant.
 
Byron.

 

[Ch4rlie]

While it IS possible to have a tank without a filter, it is not advised really for the beginner fishkeeper.
 
The cheaper and simple sponge filter is fine for nano set ups for shrimps as long as you do at least 25% weekely water changes as shrimp do nto have a large bio-load.
 
Though I'd prefer your filter that you chose, as you can add ceramic/noodle media as well as sponge media, this makes for a better filtration system imo.
 
One proviso I have to mention, shrimps prefer going into a established tank, means a tank that has been running with stocking for at least a month.
So, keep a close eye on your shrimps when you get them and get perhaps, say, 6 Red Cherry Shrimps would be best to start with as these tend to be the hardiest and cheapest of the shrimp species.
 
Good luck

 

[RinaLane]

Thank you very much for your help!

 

[TwoTankAmin]

You can do a fishless cycle on a reduced level. Shrimp make very little waste so you do not need to cycle their tank to 3 ppm, 1 ppm would be more than sufficient. The less bacteria you need, the less time it will take to reach that level. Enough live plants could make even that unnecessary. However, even without a filter I would want something to create some circulation in a tank.