Question about Cycling and Levels

I started cycling my new 20g tank yesterday. I have 20lb of base Marco Rocks and 10lb of live rock. I also have 30lb of dry aragonite sand. I dropped in a shrimp to start the cycle.

Yesterday, the levels were :

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0.

Today, the levels are :
Ammonia: 2 or 4, can't tell the difference.
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0

Is this the initial spike of ammonia I'm suppose to see and will it go higher? how long will this last? Thanks.

 

Should take 4-6 weeks for a full cycle. Your ammonia will spike, then your nitrate, then your nitrites.

 

Yeah, first cycle generally takes about 6 weeks. During that time, no need for lights, and don't turn on your protein skimmer. You want things to stew a bit. I would measure ammonia, nitrite and nitrate every 3-4 days or so for the next few weeks - no need for daily testing. Once your ammonia and nitrites measure zero and you have a nitrate spike, this phase of the cycle is over.

But keep in mind that after that 6 weeks, your tank has enough bacteria to handle the ammonia/nitrites from the shrimp you put in, but new cycles may start with each new livestock addition you add. So remember to go slow, add one thing at a time, and wait several weeks between each addition.

 

should i take out the shrimp now or leave it in there?

 

Leave it in. Let it biodegrade in your tank. That is the point - it will be the food for the bacteria.

 

typo, i'm sure. nitrites and then nitrates.

if it's not HUGE, leave it in.

 

its not huge, i placed it in a nylon pantyhose and just dangled it from the side, to prevent the decomposing matter to float everywhere

 

another question i have is should there be a strong rotten smell coming from the tank? i took out the shrimp from the nylon sock and the smell was super strong. is this normal?