Running in & Cycling

[Orsifish]

Hi all,
We have a 120 mini reef. We are new to this and are wondering if you can run in the skimmer and cycle at the same time?
All the information I have read states running in 1-2 weeks. So do I begin my cycle at the end of this period or during?
we have the Aquarium Systems “start your tank” 30 day kit.
also should the skimmer have bubbles straight away?
thanks any help is most welcome
Claire

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi all,
We have a 120 mini reef. We are new to this and are wondering if you can run in the skimmer and cycle at the same time?
All the information I have read states running in 1-2 weeks. So do I begin my cycle at the end of this period or during?
we have the Aquarium Systems “start your tank” 30 day kit.
also should the skimmer have bubbles straight away?
thanks any help is most welcome
Claire

I wouldn’t skim yet. You want bacteria to culture and establish itself. Once livestock is added, shortly after you can run skimmer to remove unorganized and control nutrients

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

yes you should run a skimmer, it has no benefit for now except that beneficial bacteria will grow on the insides of the machine, and also get your break-in period done during the cycle time. Skimmers will often have lots of micro bubbles during the break-in time

 

[jtp7004ft]

I wouldn’t skim yet. You want bacteria to culture and establish itself. Once livestock is added, shortly after you can run skimmer to remove unorganized and control nutrients

yes you should run a skimmer, it has no benefit for now except that beneficial bacteria will grow on the insides of the machine, and also get your break-in period done during the cycle time. Skimmers will often have lots of micro bubbles during the break-in time

LOL, I agree with both, Skimmer will not help your cycling process. If you wanted to run your Skimmer anyway I would run it at a very low setting so your not getting anything in the cup, but bubbles are still flowing through the inside....... There is a nasty micro-bubble break-in period on most skimmers especially small ones like ours.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

It wont matter either way. I say run it. Your tank will cycle. Its best to get a skimmer going at least 1-3 weeks after starting the tank imo. 1st day if you have it.
D

 

[Garf]

I ran it low in the skimmer to aerate, not skim. Bacteria love oxygen. Just turn up when you put livestock in.

 

[vetteguy53081]

If you’re going to run the skimmer, run it with the cup off. Why?
This will allow for air and water to be mixed into a dense foam where these particles can make their way up through the skimmer body, over the skimmer neck, and finally end up exported in the skimmer’s collection cup.Without running your skimmer this way, particulate matter would further break down into nitrate and phosphate which will fuel algae growth and only cause you headaches in the long run. This is equally as important, if not more important when curing dry rock in a separate system or in the new tank itself. The amount of dried organic material on certain types of dry rock like Pukani for example, results in some pretty nasty water during the cure – much more than your typical cycle with rock that has been pre-cured. This large amount of biomass will quickly break down into smaller particulate like I mentioned before where it will be highly beneficial to remove it before it has the chance to break down further. One thing to note however, is that the water will likely be so foul that your skimmer will tend to produce so much foam for the first few days that it may overflow the cup. You will want to make sure that you are actively monitoring the collection cup level to prevent any nasty spills or overflows. If it constantly overflows, turn down the air control a little

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Just run it normal. Lol. It will clear water for you as it cycles. Theirs stuff in ur water u cant see. Believe me. Lol. If its a decent skimmer itll pick some of the particulate out of the water. Lol. Way over thinking this.
D

 

[Orsifish]

If you’re going to run the skimmer, run it with the cup off. Why?
This will allow for air and water to be mixed into a dense foam where these particles can make their way up through the skimmer body, over the skimmer neck, and finally end up exported in the skimmer’s collection cup.Without running your skimmer this way, particulate matter would further break down into nitrate and phosphate which will fuel algae growth and only cause you headaches in the long run. This is equally as important, if not more important when curing dry rock in a separate system or in the new tank itself. The amount of dried organic material on certain types of dry rock like Pukani for example, results in some pretty nasty water during the cure – much more than your typical cycle with rock that has been pre-cured. This large amount of biomass will quickly break down into smaller particulate like I mentioned before where it will be highly beneficial to remove it before it has the chance to break down further. One thing to note however, is that the water will likely be so foul that your skimmer will tend to produce so much foam for the first few days that it may overflow the cup. You will want to make sure that you are actively monitoring the collection cup level to prevent any nasty spills or overflows. If it constantly overflows, turn down the air control a little

Thanks for this info, much appreciated!
The tank has a load of foam up the top as you mentioned, but the cup is definitely not overflowing we have it on quite low so the water in only coming up half an inch of the neck. We are hoping to put some fish in on Friday hence asking re cycling and running. Your information is great
So you think take the lid off the cup or the whole cup out?

 

[Orsifish]

It wont matter either way. I say run it. Your tank will cycle. Its best to get a skimmer going at least 1-3 weeks after starting the tank imo. 1st day if you have it.
D

Hi monkey, thanks for your advice, why run for a few weeks? We are hoping to put 2 clowns in on Friday which will be day 3 of cycle.. thoughts?

 

[Orsifish]

LOL, I agree with both, Skimmer will not help your cycling process. If you wanted to run your Skimmer anyway I would run it at a very low setting so your not getting anything in the cup, but bubbles are still flowing through the inside....... There is a nasty micro-bubble break-in period on most skimmers especially small ones like ours.

Hi Jtp - it looks as though there are no bubbles being produced by the skimmer, but there would be micro bubbles? Is this normal Then? Thanks for your assistance

 

[Garf]

Thanks for this info, much appreciated!
The tank has a load of foam up the top as you mentioned, but the cup is definitely not overflowing we have it on quite low so the water in only coming up half an inch of the neck. We are hoping to put some fish in on Friday hence asking re cycling and running. Your information is great
So you think take the lid off the cup or the whole cup out?

So exactly how are you cycling? Have you added a live bacteria and ammonia?

 

[Orsifish]

So exactly how are you cycling? Have you added a live bacteria and ammonia?

So exactly how are you cycling? Have you added a live bacteria and ammonia?

Hi Gary, we are using this 30 day kit for starting, which says add fish on day 3

 

[Orsifish]

Hi Gary, we are using this 30 day kit for starting, which says add fish on day 3

We have added media to sump and as mentioned live rock - this is all

 

[Garf]

Hi Gary, we are using this 30 day kit for starting, which says add fish on day 3

How the hell did you know my name was Gary, that’s a bit spooky

 

[Garf]

We have added media to sump and as mentioned live rock - this is all

So you’ve added live rock? Have you got a pic?

 

[Orsifish]

We have added media to sump and as mentioned live rock - this is all

Lol I think I typed Garf but it auto corrected to Gary !

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thanks for this info, much appreciated!
The tank has a load of foam up the top as you mentioned, but the cup is definitely not overflowing we have it on quite low so the water in only coming up half an inch of the neck. We are hoping to put some fish in on Friday hence asking re cycling and running. Your information is great
So you think take the lid off the cup or the whole cup out?

lid off the cup is sufficient (reduces micro bubbles)

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Thats it! Im making somthing in a bottle and selling to the sw fish community!
D

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi monkey, thanks for your advice, why run for a few weeks? We are hoping to put 2 clowns in on Friday which will be day 3 of cycle.. thoughts?

I say too soon but be prepared to test daily for next 2-3 weeks and be prepared to do water changes if needed as you will experience nitrate and ammonia spikes.