shrimp used to cycle tank.

Ive heard many people say you can cycle a tank with a shrimp, but have never seen it done or tried it themselves. I decided to do it the old school way. I went to the grocery store and told guy in seafood dept I wanted 1 shrimp. He said 1 pound? And I clarified no just 1. He got the manager and I explained I wanted to use it start a reef aquarium. The manager was cool, and grabbed one in a baggy and charged me 10 cents. Score! I cut it into 3 pieces and began my cycle. If I was to do it again, I wouldn't cut it. I would tie it down with fishing string or something... And take it out after a week or two. The smell of the decaying shrimp wasn't bad at all, even in my small apartment. At its worst, it smelled a little like urine right over the tank for about a week.