When to cycle Protein skimmer

[Cannons Fish]

I know this is a newbie question but i've never had a skimmer before so I don't know and I couldn't find anything on the internet about it. Is it okay to cycle a protein skimmer in my tank if I already have fish and corals or should I cycle it in something else.

 

[Spare time]

You can just put it in. Some skimmers work right away, some have a break in period.

 

[Jason Truong]

I would go ahead and put it in so your tank will already be used to having the skimmer in. The skimmer affects pH a good bit, so starting out with what your pH will be in the long run is probably the best bet!

 

[RobB'z Reef]

I know this is a newbie question but i've never had a skimmer before so I don't know and I couldn't find anything on the internet about it. Is it okay to cycle a protein skimmer in my tank if I already have fish and corals or should I cycle it in something else.

I don't think cycling is a thing with skimmers at all. They don't 'cycle' like your tank does. Some people talk about a break in period where after a while it starts to just work better, however I've not seen anyone articulate just what physical properties of the skimmer actually change to consider it 'broke in'. Just fire it up and let it do it's thing. If you have enough bio load it'll start to produce skimate. They don't adversely affect your tank livestock in any fashion.

 

[Cannons Fish]

I would go ahead and put it in so your tank will already be used to having the skimmer in. The skimmer affects pH a good bit, so starting out with what your pH will be in the long run is probably the best bet!

Ok, thanks

 

[Cannons Fish]

I don't think cycling is a thing with skimmers at all. They don't 'cycle' like your tank does. Some people talk about a break in period where after a while it starts to just work better, however I've not seen anyone articulate just what physical properties of the skimmer actually change to consider it 'broke in'. Just fire it up and let it do it's thing. If you have enough bio load it'll start to produce skimate. They don't adversely affect your tank livestock in any fashion.

I heard about the break in period, but I wasn't sure what exactly happened, thanks for the clear up