When to add skimmer

[kevin95695]

I have a 75g w/20g sump. I just added LS and LR and SW Saturday and I'm waiting for the ammonia to drop (wasn't too bad of spike though).

I have a big o' skimmer. I have heard you don't need to (shouldn't?) put the skimmer on right away... When do I add the skimmer? Thanks.

 

[poppin_fresh]

I would do it now. Not only will the skimmer break in, but it will pull some serious crud! It can help speed the cycle a little by relieving the bacteria from having to break it down naturally.

 

[N8ster]

Start skimming when you add the live rock. 24/7.

 

[jer77]

How come some people say to wait for a few months after adding the LR? I do agree that it should be added now.

 

[gistsc]

I put my skimmer into action the first day, but did not see anything until day 7. At day 11 now, skimmer is foaming up good.

 

[EdKruzel]

It's a 50/50 thing that no two people will admit or subside to the other. I personally add the skimmer from day one! It does aid the bacteria by keeping it from being overwhelmed, but also through adding extra oxygen to the system.

The other side of the debate is that it is robbing particulate matter that could be used for a food source by hitch-hikers on your new rock. I just don't agree that it makes that large of a difference when preserving pre-existing life or not.

If you order cultured Caribbean rock there are so many more life forms than what we see on Pacific rock; this isn't due to geographic location but the distance and time it takes to go from ocean to tank. If you look at tanks from Japan and Europe, you'll notice vastly more growth on the Pacific rock then we experience and vice versa for the Caribbean they have.

Choose health and improve cycle times by adding your skimmer and worry about what life to add at your leisure.

 

[kevin95695]

I'm leak testing the skimmer in my kitchen sink right now. I'm a ways off from picking out livestock. The rock was rescued from a tank that was being torn down and it is crawling with stuff. Unfortunately some majano, aiptasia. Palythoa, itty bitty stars, fireworms, bristleworms, sponges, and loads of unidentifieds too.

 

[EdKruzel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9482878#post9482878 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kevin95695
Unfortunately some majano, aiptasia. Palythoa, itty bitty stars, fireworms, bristleworms, sponges, and loads of unidentifieds too.

Aptasia, yes, Manjano and possibly some of the unidentifieds, maybe, but the rest are what you want in and on your LR. They are the best friends you can find in a tank.

 

[rustybucket145]

Fire the skimmer up asap!! Should have been on from the day you put the water in.

 

[hmello@bermexin]

Also will help with any potential algae by removing the nutrients available.

 

[BradsOcean]

add it as soon as possible

 

[kevin95695]

Yep. Should have it regulatin' by the time I go to bed tonight. At work now.

I meant to refer to the majano and aiptasia in the negative. I'm cool with everything else. There might even be a couple of sneaky little crabs in there. Withholding judgement on them buggers.