Is the idea of the shrimp to put some waste into the water to kick start the nitrification cycle?
>>Absolutely, you’ve got the idea. >At present (and ever since I filled my tank) my ammonia is 0.5-1ppm, nitrite 0, nitrate 0. >>Expect a progression where ammonia levels will drop, and nitrites rise, and then nitrites will drop as nitrates rise. Once you’ve reached this stage only water changes or utilization of denitrification (well-performed by deep sand beds) can take nitrate and break it down into its constituent components, not the least of which is good old nitrogen gas (80% of earth’s atmosphere). >Thanks again Marina!!!! >>Again, quite welcome, Joel.
