In Cycle: When to Skim? What's your take?

[TomV]

Here's a good one:

I've read a bit about when to start Protein Skimming a new tank.

I've read a couple things that say as soon as the live rock is added... and I've read things that say 1 to 3 months after the tank is started.

Ok, all you experts out there... What's your take?

 

[Biggen]

Go ahead and begin skimming immediately. You will take out all kinds of "garbage" if you are cycling your tank with uncured LR.

There really isn't a downside to skimming during the cycle, IMO. Helps to clean your water up.

 

[Hara]

and the flipside of the coin is that skimming will prolong the cycling period. If you have no livestock in the tank, I would not turn the skimmer on until you have done your water change and started adding fish.

 

[Biggen]

I've read a couple things that say as soon as the live rock is added... and I've read things that say 1 to 3 months after the tank is started.

You can't even get a consensus of opinion here!