thanson

I am getting readings faster than I expected. I had set six weeks aside to get the tank cycled.

I placed 5 smallish shrimp in a old pair of my wife's nylons with small rock and cranked the temp up to 90 degrees a week ago. As of today my readings are as follows:

ammonia 4
nitrite 1
nitrate 10

When do I do a water change and how much? How long do the shrimp get to stay in the warm water bath? How many fish are needed when the time comes to keep the tank cycled?

Lucy

Leave it in there until the tank is fully cycled. 0 ammonia, 0nitrite your nitrates will probably be high.
Then do a water change, however much it takes to get the level down to 5-10.
How many fish to add depends on what kind. Generally 3-4 is a good start.