Fact Check

[Beldarr]

I read somewhere that when starting to cycle a tank, if you can get the gunk collected from another Skimmer that would help. Any ideas if this is true?

Seems bad to me but i am not sure

 

[chimmike]

the skimmer doesn't collect bacteria, just amino acids, iirc.....proteins.

 

[jrr98002]

Well, 'gunk' from a skimmer will eventually decay into your ammonia source, but it's certainly not the way I'd go about it. There's other, better and more pure ways to start your cycle. I wouldn't say the 'gunk' would help if you started it those other ways (pure ammonia, a raw shrimp, etc.)

 

[Sk8r]

FIshfood. pinch a day. You'll cycle just as fast. Mighosh, the extremes people go to trying to get a cycle started. It takes as long as it takes. Bacterial reproduction takes place at a given rate under optimum conditions: food/80 degree temperature, proper salinity at 1.024.

 

[CStrickland]

I've heard that too. The idea being that it would be more types of bacteria than what you would get from a bottle at the lfs. I'm skeptical.

The "protein" in protein skimmer is not a great name, they collect all kinds of dissolved organics and stuff. But I'm not really sure about the bacteria. When people talk about carbon dosing they speak of boosting the bacteria population, and then skimming it out. But when people talk about cycling, and UV, they say the bacteria is on the surfaces, not in the water. IDK, maybe skimming takes out the bacterias poop.

Anyway, idk how you would know. Like would fresh skimmate be needed, or is it still good if it sits in a nasty cup for a week? I think you're better off grabbing a scoop of sand. That'll have all the bacteria and some baby worms and stuff. Smells better too