Do you need a powerhead while in the cycle process?

[Busa1340]

Seems like a silly question but my sand and salt will be here soon and I want to get this cycle going. I will be getting the gyre soon but priorities take place. So can I get the cycle going with no powerhead? I will be running a jeboa dct8000 return pump that I could crank up for some flow but that's it. Thanks Aaron..

 

[dbrewsky]

all you need is some water movement to promote gas exchange. The majority of the nitrogen cycle bacteria species are aerobic and require oxygen to survive, multiply, and break down ammonia and nitrite.

 

[Busa1340]

Ok so the return and water movement on the surface should be doable?

 

[Busa1340]

I will have my skimmer going also

 

[Salty1962]

Never hurts to add more if you have the equipment, like dbrewsky said, keep the surface moving to keep oxygen levels up for bacteria.

 

[Salty1962]

I will have my skimmer going also

IMO, I wouldn't skim, removes the bacteria your trying to grow.

 

[Busa1340]

Ok I'll keep it off thanks.. Should I even attemp this until I get a powerhead than?

 

[den75]

IMO, I wouldn't skim, removes the bacteria your trying to grow.

Most if not all of the nitrifying bacteria will be on the rocks and not in the water column. Skimming should have no effect on the cycle. I had mine on to start the break in process.

 

[drstratton]

Ok I'll keep it off thanks.. Should I even attemp this until I get a powerhead than?

Point your returns towards the surface that should work! I personally would start!

 

[drstratton]

You can also run the skimmer without the collection cup on that will add oxygen into the water!

 

[Busa1340]

Ok awesome now I'm debating on skimming or not lol I heard both but to get the skimmer started also to dial it in from the start.. Thanks for the fast replies guys probably I weird question but I want to get everything to the T lol

 

[brandon429]

did I read that youll be cycling using freshwater until the salt arrives?

 

[den75]

Like I said, Skimming won't effect the nitrifying bacteria since it grows on the rocks and not in the water column. I would have it running and start dialing it in.

 

[Busa1340]

No no lol I'm getting my sand and salt soon will be making RODI with my salt mix sand first than rock than my salt and RODI

 

[Busa1340]

It will be mixed before it goes in the tank.

 

[Bunnee911]

did I read that youll be cycling using freshwater until the salt arrives?

That's how we used to do it. Mollies can make the trip.

 

[dewboy1127]

being your cycling the tank and wont be much for livestock or anything creating waste imo i dont think youll be dialing that skimmer in much as wont be much to skim ..however if it is a brand new skimmer then it takes week or so for them to break in anyways so running now could be beneficial in that sense...but if not you may try just taking the skimmer pump off skimmer and utilizing it for flow for now just another idea....ultimately that will be up to your likings....to answer original quest return pump is enough to cycle with if need be

 

[chefjpaul]

I always set the whole system up and running while I cycle.

Time to work out kinks and such.

 

[Busa1340]

Thanks.

 

[Betty1964]

So how is the cycle coming? If my guess is correct, you should be a the yucky high nitrate stage about now.