help wanted starting a fish only tank

[DEAD_BY_DAWN]

so the waters finally in the tank,after reading i decided to cycle by adding a mushed up raw tiger prawn and a few pounds of live sand,to jump start the cycle,i was wondering has anyone tryed this method useing the prawn and how long did it take ,i didnt want to use damsels for a number of reasons,will the smell of a prawn breaking down last long,i found my roommate sniffing around the tank tonight,and looking angry at me any other ideas whould help out alot thanks..john