cycling skimmer or no skimmer?

[looneywun7]

Im getting mixed reviews about the cycling process. Should i turn on the skimmer during cycling or no skimmer?

 

[iammrhappy]

I'm cycling right now with skimmer off. Would like to hear feedback as well. Thanks

 

[mrtian97]

I believe no skimmer. u don't have much bioload to skim and whatever bioload u have, u want them in the water column to promote beneficial bacteria growth. I assume you use bacteria in bottle to start

 

[Bouncingsoul393]

Depends on rock. If you got some freshly collected live rock with a lot of potential for die off I'd run the skimmer. If you doing fishless cycle or dry base rock I'd leave it off.

 

[newtothis]

[MENTION=2634]Bouncingsoul393[/MENTION], you on fire �� the last couple of days.. If only theres more of you on this slow, boring of late, closet nit community SoCal reefers.

 

[M3ace9]

As soon as you see diatoms you need to run your skimmer. There are diatoms before you are able to see them so even before will be preferable. Dosing microbacter 7 daily for 2 weeks will keep the bacteria context high while you skim to export the initial start of your cycle. You could of coarse wait till your bacteria finds equilibrium and manage the bioload but why wait, grab a snickers

 

[Paranoiattack91]

I'd run the skimmer just to break in and tune the skimmer which can take a while sometimes. If you're worried about losing beneficial bacteria just take the drain cap off and let it drain back into the water.

 

[iammrhappy]

I'd run the skimmer just to break in and tune the skimmer which can take a while sometimes. If you're worried about losing beneficial bacteria just take the drain cap off and let it drain back into the water.

Good idea. My skimmer is bone dry right now. It'll take 2 weeks to get the slime going again. I'll just run it wet.

 

[Bouncingsoul393]

[MENTION=2634]Bouncingsoul393[/MENTION], you on fire �� the last couple of days.. If only theres more of you on this slow, boring of late, closet nit community SoCal reefers.

Haha thanks. Really slow work week so thought I'd help the newbs.

 

[Azasb]

I just finished cycling. I did it with a skimmer and after 3 weeks the cycle was not close to being done, everything was high. I used 10-20lbs of life rock and some algae. Best thing I did was to use Dr. Tim's One and Only with skimmer off. After ~30hrs cycles was done. Cost $20, totally worth the cost.

 

[looneywun7]

thanks for all the feedback Ill try going with no skimmer because im using mostly dry rock.

 

[Reeferfourlife]

I run skimmer to break in or tune it while I'm cycling. Take a couple weeks to break in and tune.

 

[TypicalWhiteAZN]

Run the skimmer, even for aeration purposes only it'll at least increase O2 and optimize the cycling period.