When to start filtration

[Klag]

I have a cycled tank, did some Dr. Tim’s. With 8 fish in it (90 DT + 15 sump). I am getting an order from Tampa Bay Saltwater next week. Nitrates are about 30 and phosphates about 0.3. When should I start running my fleece roller and protein skimmer?

 

[SaltySqueeble]

I’d say it’s about that time. 8 fish probably need quite a bit of food and nutrients are getting high. Wouldn’t want an algae outbreak. Skimmer could help balance that out. Will you be adding corals?

 

[Waters]

I would recommend running all your filtration on day one. Skimmers do more than filter the water :)

 

[Klag]

I’d say it’s about that time. 8 fish probably need quite a bit of food and nutrients are getting high. Wouldn’t want an algae outbreak. Skimmer could help balance that out. Will you be adding corals?

I currently do not have a light over the tank, I will be moving my light from my old tank over. Once the light and rock are in I will add corals after a few weeks. I have quite a bit of coral that will be moved over as well.

 

[landlubber]

i'm also a day one guy.
I've never ran a roller but the skimmer likely won't produce in the fist 2 weeks anyway and it'll provide time to work out the kinks that can show up.
Just keep those lights off until the tank is ready for fish/corals.

 

[Klag]

i'm also a day one guy.
I've never ran a roller but the skimmer likely won't produce in the fist 2 weeks anyway and it'll provide time to work out the kinks that can show up.
Just keep those lights off until the tank is ready for fish/corals.

I started running my skimmer, I am going to leave the fleece roller off for a few more days though

 

[jda]

Skimmer always. You don't ever need a fleece roller, so do what you want with that.

The gas exchange from the skimmer is too important not to run it.

 

[Klag]

Skimmer always. You don't ever need a fleece roller, so do what you want with that.

The gas exchange from the skimmer is too important not to run it.

Why do you say that about a fleece roller?

 

[Naekuh]

Why do you say that about a fleece roller?

Some do not like fleece. They think it pulls too many good things as well as bad things, and maintance is a hassle.

Personally im in the group that likes to keep my sump not too dirty or full of nasty worms sponges, and snails, so i will always run a fleece.

 

[Klag]

Some do not like fleece. They think it pulls too many good things as well as bad things, and maintance is a hassle.

Personally im in the group that likes to keep my sump not too dirty or full of nasty worms sponges, and snails, so i will always run a fleece.

I run 2 fleece socks on my current tank, but I have long days between work and school and don't want to worry about cleaning them out. Usually, I just pull them and then put them back in when clean, but that is not too efficient.

 

[Weaverjay101]

I would start protein skimming and carbon dosing now that you have detectable nitrates and phosphates.