Lighting, skimming, water changes etc while cycling

[reefinSC]

Just like with any topic I have seen wildly varied advice on what to run while the tank is cycling/maturing. I've seen that you shouldn't turn lights on at all, no protein skimming, no sock filters.... but I have also seen to just used a reduced lighting cycle and there is nothing wrong with running the skimmer.
My plan on cycling is to use a combo of cultured bacteria, base rock and live rock.

What is the consensus on running tank filtration and lighting (and doing water changes in the middle of cycling)?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

As you say there is no consensus. As long as the tank gets cycled thats the main point.

Personally for me, I do run the lights because I don't like looking at a dark tank, and I do run the skimmer usually just before getting fish, just to work out any kinks.

I don't do water changes during the cycle, I just let it all marinate till its done.

 

[bobnicaragua]

The biggest danger these days are dinos. Letting the system run without lights at first lets the microfauna get established before having to compete against all the photosynthetic bad guys.

If you are using actual live rock, I wouldn’t worry too much about the actual cycle.

BRS did some videos recently on cycling tanks and minimizing the ugly stage.