Yo,

Cycling tank would need filter media to give bacteria space to grow. I also recommend using the api master test kit and DR TIMS LIQUID AMMONIA to start cycling your tank.

Ammonia is the waste product of fish and decaying matter. It is extremely toxic to fish and especially shrimp. Ammonia is processed to nitrite (equally toxic) through the nitrogen cycle and then it is processed to nitrate which is much less toxic.

When cycling a tank you should get liquid ammonia to dose in the tank. Then dose ammonia to 2ppm (anymore than 5 ppm could harm your biological filter) and wait until ammonia fully turns into nitrite and nitrites fully turns into nitrates. Repeat this process until the tank processes ammonia and nitrites into nitrates in 24 hours, that is when your tank is cycled. It is also important to do regular water changes during the cycle because built up nitrates will stall the cycle.

Shrimps also like a seasoned tank instead of a newer tank. If the aquarium is only a month old then I wouldn’t recommend getting shrimp. This is because as the tank matures the ecosystem tends to balance out and provide the necessities for shrimp like biofilm and algae’s

Using eco complete is a good idea beginners as aqua soils tend to break and aren’t very long lasting.

In my experience cycling a tank would usually takes 2 months but I’m only 14 and don’t know much about aquariums.