goggles2

so im cycling my 5g betta tank and i just got a nitrite spike today

im using a piece o raw shrimp as my ammonia source

and im wondering should i take the shrimp out now that i have nitrite?

would it overload the cycle with ammonia causing me to never see a drop in ammonia levels as long as its in there?

my readings are 1.0 PPM ammonia 0.25ppm nitrite 0 ppm nitrate

ive never done a fishless this way and im just wondering....

sgould

No...leave it in. You need a continuous source of ammonia for the bacteria you are establishing to feed on, or else they will just die off again right away. Leave the shrimp in until the cycle is fully complete, then remove and start adding your fish.

goggles2

ah thanks alot