Protein skimmer while cycling?

[Medic3170]

I have a new 55 gallon salt water tank that I am cycling. I am cycling with three green chromis and some live rock. I added a protein skimmer because I will eventually need it an I know it needs to break in BUT will it with little to no organic waste in the tank? Also the MICROBUBBLES are driving me nuts!!

 

[lapin]

Live rock will supply the bacteria needed. The fish should produce waste. While running the skimmer is not ideal while cycling it can be done. It will remove waste the bacteria needs to grow

 

[Pistondog]

I have a new 55 gallon salt water tank that I am cycling. I am cycling with three green chromis and some live rock. I added a protein skimmer because I will eventually need it an I know it needs to break in BUT will it with little to no organic waste in the tank? Also the MICROBUBBLES are driving me nuts!!

Micro bubbles getting to the display tank is not normal. You need to adjust the skimmer.
No harm in running during cycle, aeration is good.

 

[speedstar]

If you are dosing a bacteria you should turn off the skimmer for a couple hours after adding it.

 

[GaryE]

No real point running a skimmer without live stock...

 

[speedstar]

No real point running a skimmer without live stock...

he said he has fish in

 

[Medic3170]

he said he has fish in

Three chromis...it's almost like nothing...

 

[Medic3170]

Micro bubbles getting to the display tank is not normal. You need to adjust the skimmer.
No harm in running during cycle, aeration is good.

I agree BUT isn't there a break in period? Everywhere else I read it's a normal thing for a few days

 

[brandon429]

A thread tracking pure skip cycle instant reefs, no bottle bac

This is a testless cycling thread, we don't want ammonia testing here for any job if possible, because we are teaching reefers/readers that moving live rocks system to system does not restart the cycle: many in our community don't understand that rule and feel that any tank being setup simply...

www.reef2reef.com

are all your rocks that kind meaning already cycled the minute you set them in tank

if so, then you are reefing not cycling and reefs can skim

live rock from that thread wasn’t mailed or dry rocks, it was literal live rock from a pet store display marked live and the rock has coralline and living animals adhered to it plus all kinds of pigmentation and nuances that make it 100% unmistakable

if that’s your rock, it comes home cycled and doesn’t uncycle

 

[Roytrolls247]

I started my Skimmer up as soon as I seen the first few patches of diatoms like 2 weeks in.

 

[ca1ore]

It's been a long time since I had to cycle a tank, but I always used a skimmer. Really see no downside to it. Some folks say it slows the cycling process, but this only survives cursory logic if you believe that a skimmer magically removes all proteins. Newsflash: it does not!

 

[Pistondog]

I agree BUT isn't there a break in period? Everywhere else I read it's a normal thing for a few days

Yes, take off the collection cup and let overflow, if that's what the manufacturer recommends. You will have to adjust, tune it after. 24 hours should be enough to remove/wash any residue.

 

[Anirban]

As Brandon said, if you are using all live rock then you are not cycling. If you cycle then you dont want the skimmer on.

 

[Medic3170]

Yes, take off the collection cup and let overflow, if that's what the manufacturer recommends. You will have to adjust, tune it after. 24 hours should be enough to remove/wash any residue.

Awesome I will try that! Thanks

 

[brandon429]

hey did you have pet store skip cycled rock

 

[brandon429]

that detail affected the direction for your tank very relevant info

 

[Medic3170]

that detail affected the direction for your tank very relevant info

I used "real reef" rock. It's comes dry then dr Tim's one and only.

 

[brandon429]

Good clarification

it seems to be a fish- in cycle with dry rock and dr Tim’s, that still works fine. A gazillion people do successful fish in cycles this way not a prob