To skim or not to skim

[Ammocan]

should I be running my skimmer while my tank is cycling with the Red Sea mature?
Thanks,

 

[EriksOasis]

I would just so the skimmer is broken in and once you add livestock it will instantly start working. From my experience once a film builds up on the skimmer body it produces skimate.

 

[Idoc]

I didn't run mine during the majority of my cycle...read many places not to run it. But, I've also seen some posts where people did run it with no problems. I started mine once the cycle was complete and 1 week before adding my first fish to the tank. That week was a good break in period and all works well now.

But, i did run mine in water/vinegar mixture for several hours before even putting into my sump in order to clean out any manufacturing gunk that could be on the plastics. I think this help it break in fast.

 

[Ammocan]

Thanks guys

 

[75galOCD]

I ran mine when I cycled my tank with live rock and it pulled out quite a bit of dark skimmate. It cycled in under 3 weeks beautifully. I wonder if the skimmimg helped? Would leaving in what ever the skimmer pulls out benefit the process? IMO if doing increased water changes durning the cycle skimming is a hop up? Does Red Sea mature call for water changes? If not ignore me!

 

[BreakingWave]

It doesn't matter. The tank will cycle no matter what.