cycling question

So, I am on week 3 of my new 28g tank. I put in a shrimp and its been 3 days. I only have test strips at this time, but they show small amounts of nitrats/nitrites. I tried to get the shrimp out but it smeared into a million pieces. Now what? I will get a better test kit, and keep watching until my numbers come down. Will they ever come down with a rotten shrimp smushed up in there? Whats the best way to check for SG. I need to top off my water levels and am not sure the exact water level I started at (the back chamber of a 28 nano). I also want to add a CUC, but the LFS says without algae, it isnt time yet. Thoughts?

 

A lot of people put the shrimp in some kind of sock for exactly this reason. Keep monitoring your ammonia/nitrite/nitrate levels. You may see a spike, but once they stabilize to nitrates only, gradual water changes will get that down. Seeing as you still have some nitrite readings, I would wait a little longer before adding the CUC

You can get a hydrometer at most pet stores (cheap, but adequate) or a refractometer (more expensive and accurate) to measure your salt levels

 

I wouldn't worry about the shrimp too much. I did the same with mine two months ago. Any level that goes up, must come down . Except Nitrates. Toemoss said it with water changes. Drop some live rock in to help the cycle along. Once you start to level off pick up an Ocellarus clown if you like them. Thats what I used after the shrimp. Now I have 5 schooling together. Go slow with your size of tank.
Good luck

 

+1 to both.

If you must get a hydrometer to measure SG, get the floating glass tube; It's much more reliable than the plastic swing-arm type.