Should i run my skimmer during cycle?

[djcool563]

Hello i have a 55g tank started with about 60-70 pounds dead base rock that was once alive so there is some dead stuff in it. i also have about 2-3" of dead sand. I used about 20 pounds live base rock to seed the dead base rock and a couple of cups of live sand to seed the sand. Well i was told by my uncle not to run my skimmer during the cycleing because the skimmer takes out some stuff the tank needs to cycle with. SO this brings me to the question should i run my skimmer? THe tank is about 2-3 weeks into the cycle and ammonia is going down a little. thanks

 

[npaden]

I'm not sure why you wouldn't run your protein skimmer during a cycle. The more stuff you allow to die off and rot in the tank the more problems you are going to have with nusiance algae down the road.

It's not like you are going to skim bristleworms and amphipods out of the water, there will be plenty of bacteria to go around with or without running a skimmer.

FWIW, Nathan

 

[stingers81]

i agree 100%

 

[corals b 4 bills]

Turn your skimmer on and leave your lights off. Lots of flow and your good to go!

 

[djcool563]

i should leave my lights off while cycling?

 

[integlikewhoa]

I left my lights on and i was ok, but most get a good amount of algae growing with nothing in the tank and lights on.

I would def. leave the skimmer running.

 

[besl]

Here's what I did = skimmer on, lights off... been cycling for 4 weeks now and will put the lights on in 1 more week.

 

[AllenFord_SC]

Lights off.... Skimmer on. Lights off on the tank the first six weeks of a new setup, no matter how tempting it is to check out the tank is very beneficial. Corraline algae does not require light to grow. However, nuisance algae does. And the skimmer will do nothing but help with your cycle. After you notice the ammonia dropping is a good time to start your water changes. While some will wait until the cycle is complete, it is not necessary.