Filtration and when to use it?

[hillg2784]

I’m getting ready to set up my new Innovative Marine 200—a big upgrade from my 125-gallon Petco tank with HOB filters, lol.

I have a question about filtration during the cycling process. When should I turn on my filtration systems, and at what point after cycling is it safe to run them at full capacity?

For filtration, I’ll be running:

• Filter socks
• Nyos protein skimmer
• Nyos Torq carbon
• A designated area for a refugium
• UV sterilizer

For the live substrate and rock, I’ll have:

• ~200 lbs of sand
• 80 lbs of Marco rock
• A MarinePure 8x8x4 ceramic bio-media plate, which will have been cycling in my current tank for a few weeks prior to the setup of the new tank

Any guidance on how to integrate all of this during the cycling process would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MoshJosh]

I would run almost everything day one. I might not run a refugium day one, specifically I would probably hold off on throwing algae in there for fear of starving it of nutrient. . . unless you have a cheap and easy supply, in which case I would say chuck it in day one.

EDIT: I don't use UV sterilizer, so maybe some others can chime in about that specifically. I guess hypothetically it could be killing beneficial bacteria delaying full cycle, but I am not sure. . .

 

[ShakeyGizzard]

I say no on running the fuge, also no on the carbon unless your water has high tds. I would run the skimmer but it has nothing to skim, I would adjust it low or take the cup off, the skimmer is more area for the beneficial bacteria to grow

edit: the UV wont hurt at this point even if its not needed

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I also run everything from day 1, which is a usually just a skimmer and activated carbon. I don't run mechanical or uv or a refuge. Good luck on your new build.

 

[hillg2784]

I say no on running the fuge, also no on the carbon unless your water has high tds. I would run the skimmer but it has nothing to skim, I would adjust it low or take the cup off, the skimmer is more area for the beneficial bacteria to grow

edit: the UV wont hurt at this point even if its not needed

TDS says 0 on the last output line on my RODI.

 

[hillg2784]

So no on fuge to start, Ames sense since there is nothing to feed it and I’m guessing maybe uv after the cycle. Or will it not kill the beneficial bacteria im trying to spread?