When Should I turn on my Skimmer?

[lcc]

I have had a new 100 gal show tank up for 4 weeks all water test are fine. I am running a CPR 192 on the tank when should I turn on the protient skimmer? I have gotten saeveral different answers from fish stores in my area. one said I should have had it on form day 1, another stated I should wait 60 days, another stated I should wait at least 90 days. I would appreciate this BB advice.
Thanks in advance

 

[b_ball12_99]

I'd start running it now.

 

[fixitdude2001]

HI, you should not turn it on till the cycle is compleate , then let it rock, all levals , ammonia 0, nitrites 0 , and nitrates under 40 ppm and also you should check your calcium and phosphates as high phosphates can cause all kinds of unwanted algea, also have you thought of a UV light??? in the near future, ...cya
also what did you cycle the tank with?? an empty tank will never cycle..
[ April 19, 2001: Message edited by: fixitdude2001 ]

 

[beth]

If you have completed the cycle, you can turn it on now. You can turn it on during the cycle too, it will just slow the cycle. Some hobbyst don't use a skimmer until the tank has "aged" a bit, cause the skimmer isn't going to "skim" until there is enough floating organics in the tank to skim. This is why you are getting so many different opinions on this.
Bottom line, whether you turn it on from day one or wait 6 mos to turn it on, its not going to hurt to turn it on.

 

[saltwater marauder]

If your tank has finished cycling you could start running it now, however, might be pointless for awhile as you probably have nothing to skim in a tank that young.

 

[slk3599]

Where does this "don't turn it on until the cycle is complete" come from? A skimmer is not going to remove the beneficial bacteria from water. If you have fish in your tank cycling the tank or if you have live rock, turn it on and let it rip.

 

[totalxtreme1]

Hello
I would turn the skimmer on now. I did the same with my tank as it was cycling and had no problems at all. Some say it will prolong the cycle, BUt I had seen no difference and my tank cycled rather quickly. Say 2-3 weeks using ro water and lr ls. Anyway I say now. Good luck..