Skimmer ruin cycle?

[oceangrl11]

Hey. Will using a skimmer ruin the cycle? I have heard off and on. How do i get green stuff to start growing once the tank has cycled? Where can you purchase algae? does it just grow from the LR that is in the tank? If so I do not have any
Any info would be awesome.

 

[ophiura]

There are probably some mixed ideas on skimming during the cycle. Personally, I say "no" because I am a "hard cycle" person. Skimming removes some of the proteins, etc that would break down into ammonia and "feed" the cycle. I'm the same with water changes. But there are lots of philosophies on it.
As for algae...well, you will get it in time Don't worry. If you are talking "macro" algae like people use in a refugium, then you tend to buy that. But many will not use it in a display tank as it may overgrow it. Other forms of algae grow as the tank parameters equilibrate or fluctuate over time. It will grow...someday you will probably post a question on "how do I get rid of this algae?"

 

[slick]

My opinion on running a skimmer during the cycle varries depending on how your cycling your tank. In my case I used a full tank of uncured lr so I ran my skimmer. The reason I did that was because there is so much dead stuff on the rocks that removing protien via skimming would not really weaken my cycle. Now if your using cured rock, or a uncooked shrimp from the store, I wouldn't run a skimmer. JMO

 

[ophiura]

Yeah, that's a good point. :yes: I totally agree with that.

 

[oceangrl11]

Originally Posted by slick
My opinion on running a skimmer during the cycle varries depending on how your cycling your tank. In my case I used a full tank of uncured lr so I ran my skimmer. The reason I did that was because there is so much dead stuff on the rocks that removing protien via skimming would not really weaken my cycle. Now if your using cured rock, or a uncooked shrimp from the store, I wouldn't run a skimmer. JMO
What if I am using uncured LR but only 20 lbs in 75gal tank?

 

[slick]

it's really up to you, running your skimmer might make your cycle shorter, but it wont cycle as hard.

 

[oceangrl11]

What is the difference between a regular cycle and a 'hard' cycle? I have never heard the difference before? Is one more permanent/better for the tank than the other?

 

[1journeyman]

I would run a skimmer with uncured live rock.
I guess Ophiura and I are on opposite ends of the spectrum, and she is far more knowing than I; So take everything I say with a grain of salt.
as I understand it, a "hard" cycle is one where you really peg the needles on your ammonia and nitrite.
Pros: You definitely know when your tank cycles. You also definitely have good growth of ammonia and nitrite fixing bacteria.
Cons: High ammonia will kill some of those critters that you bought your live rock for. Also, ammonia and nitrite fixing bacteria will starve. So, basically, you feed a large colony of it and then much of it dies.
I cycled my tank with 600lbs of sand, 100lbs of live sand, 140lbs of Kaelini uncured and 50lbs of uncured Fiji. Protein skimmer was working like mad for about 3 weeks. I constantly was scrubbing dead stuff and debris off of my rock. I also did small water changes. My thinking was that I wanted to preserve as much life as possible.

 

[ophiura]

How you cycle is a matter of personal preference, and not necessarily experience. So I would research, find something that makes sense to you and what you feel comfortable with, and go with that. :yes: I'm definitely not saying my way is better than another, but that I am relatively the paranoid sort. Also, my experience is with hard cycling (with damsels, gasp!...yes, I have skeletons in my closet) so that is what I am used to for sure. But I see the advantages in many ideas/experiences. My greatest concern now is that people research and know what is going on and understand what is happening in the tank and why we are doing it. :yes:

 

[oceangrl11]

Well I am definitly trying to reasearch as much as possible, so far as the understanding what is going on....LOL wisdom comes with age and/or expereince right? I am definitly going to try to start a fuge very soon. I really like the idea and i should have enough room for one under my tank. I posted that funny skimmer on the board. It definitly was home made