When should I start my skimmer for the first time?

[Chris918]

Hey guys,

I have a bare bottom tank that has been up for about 24 days. It has cycled and no ammonia or nitrite are present in the tank. I have reef saver rock in the tank and have no fish, inverts, or anything else present. My first fish will be in quarantine for 4 weeks so it is a while off. When do you recommend turning on my skimmer for the first time?

Thanks!

 

[ramseynb]

You can turn it on now if you want and let it start breaking in. You'll also likely want to "feed" your tank an ammonia source while your fish is in QT. 4 weeks may be a bit too long for the bacteria culture you built up to survive with no ammonia or nitrite.

 

[ReefkeeperZ]

I turn on my skimmer as soon as there is water and rock in the tank.

 

[mcgyvr]

You can turn it on now if you want and let it start breaking in. You'll also likely want to "feed" your tank an ammonia source while your fish is in QT. 4 weeks may be a bit too long for the bacteria culture you built up to survive with no ammonia or nitrite.

Not needed..
Studies have shown that the bacteria can survive for a year or more without any ammonia input into the tank..
They quickly hibernate or go into a state of suspended animation and can pop right back out of it..

Hence why "bacteria in a bottle" typically has a shelf life of 1 year or more..

 

[Reefiez]

Not needed..
Studies have shown that the bacteria can survive for a year or more without any ammonia input into the tank..
They quickly hibernate or go into a state of suspended animation and can pop right back out of it..

Hence why "bacteria in a bottle" typically has a shelf life of 1 year or more..

wow, this is interesting, can you provide the link to the source?

i always assumed you have to maintain a source of ammonia or the cycle will die off.

i wonder how much of the bacteria goes dormant, and how many % of ammonia processing capability it retains after different amount of time the tank is fallow.