Skimmer while cycling?

[TraceyB4602]

Should I use my protein skimmer while I'm cycling my tank or should I wait till the cycle is complete? The tanks been up now for about a week and the skimmers been on for 2 days. Everything seems to be getting grassy and fuzzy and I'm seeing growth of some kind of red dots on my base rock.

 

[carey]

If it's a new skimmer you can keep it running while you cycle since skimmers take a couple weeks to break in usually.

Both of mine took about 2 weeks to break in.

 

[TraceyB4602]

Yup it's brand new but it has filled with gross stuff already. I just don't want to prolong my cycle

 

[carey]

Hmm there shouldnt be that much organics in there now, espceially with no fish. lol

You can adjust the skimmer as well so that you dont' have to empty it that frequently.

As far as messing with your cycle I don't believe it will. It shouldnt be removing bacteria but organic waste.

If I'm wrong on that one someone please correct me. Just what I've picked up on the forum.

 

[hackteck]

Hmm there shouldnt be that much organics in there now, espceially with no fish. lol

You can adjust the skimmer as well so that you dont' have to empty it that frequently.

As far as messing with your cycle I don't believe it will. It shouldnt be removing bacteria but organic waste.

If I'm wrong on that one someone please correct me. Just what I've picked up on the forum.

No that's correct

 

[melosu58]

You dont have to but as mentioned it`s a good idea to get the break in period over with. No harm doing it during the cycle.

 

[TraceyB4602]

Well it will be broken in and ready for the fish then : )