cycling with or without skimmer?

[SPotter]

My first tank I cycled with the skimmer and had no problems. Now that I am cycling my upgrade I am running the skimmer but it was suggested to me that I cycle with out the skimmer because it might be robbing the tank of vital bacteria.

Thoughts?

 

[Psirex]

it may make the process longer because it it stripping the tank of nutrients need to maintain the cycle...

 

[shaginwagon13]

I have always used one, but you don't need to. You will find an equal number of people who support it to those who don't. If a method works for you and you had no problems why change.

 

[SPotter]

Yeah I have found equal arguments for both. this tank is much larger than the first one so Im wondering if I should turn it off. the rock Im using has been curing for almost two months so there should be a good amount of bacteria in there to begin with.

 

[shaginwagon13]

I mean every tank is different and I guess you know and can read your tank better than anyone else. All I can say is for my tanks, I have always run the skimmer right from day 1 and never had any problems to complain about. Other will say that you don't need to run the skimmer at all during the cycle. I guess I would suggest that if it works, don't fix it and stick to the methods that you seem to have the best success with.

 

[SPotter]

its definitely one of those issues where there is no right or wrong. I may end having to shut it down because the wife isnt happy about the odors it is creating right now!

 

[shaginwagon13]

its definitely one of those issues where there is no right or wrong. I may end having to shut it down because the wife isnt happy about the odors it is creating right now!

Are you still running the skimmer or did you decide to try the cycle without it running?

For my last tank I was going to try the cycle without my skimmer. After 4-5 days the smell was pretty bad and I just decided to turn the skimmer on. Within 24 hours the water was clear and the smell was pretty well gone.

Some people also run Carbon during the cycle. I am sure that if you did this that smell would go away.

 

[Toddrtrex]

I have always cycled with the tank running like it had been running for years -- skimmer running, doing water changes....

My reason being that I paid good money for the life on the live rock I was using -- I wanted to do everything to limit the ammonia spike. Have had good success with this method and plan on using it again -- if I ever set up another tank.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Double post

 

[SPotter]

I did shut the skimmer down just a little while ago. I dont have my reactors hooked up to the system yet so I might pick up some chemi pure on the way home and some flowers for the wife

 

[shaginwagon13]

Ya I always just use the reasoning

'But hunnie, I'm doing it to make our house that much nicer for us'