skimmer question?

[georgeortiz]

I have just started cycling my 110 reef tank. Should I get my protein skimmer started at this time as well?

[brewercm]

If you are using uncured live rock I would definately run it, if not I don't know if it would really make much of a difference at first.

[TAXMAN]

I dont think it really matters much. There are lots of personal opinions on this. But it will help get rid of the waist created during the cycle. But that may actually extend the cycle time. More people will help out here I'm sure.

But if your rock is already cured there will not be much of a cycle. With cured rock you may let it run a week and be ready.

[DeletedAccount]

Some say do, toget rid of the nasty smell because of uncured live rock...

Others say no - seems to harm in the establishment of pods - Tim will chime in on his opinion here.

I always use them from day 1, but I do not have this perfect functioning tank or anything.... I know that I feed my tank enough for 3X the number of fish I have, so skimmers are needed...

[matt]

Definitely use your skimmer. The last thing you want in a new tank is a big build up of waste that fuels algae blooms down the road, causes secondary mortality, etc... besides, you built the thing, didn't you? Use it proudly!

[georgeortiz]

Thanks for the input. I was not sure if I should get this device going from the get go since it's sole purpose was to remove organincs. But, since the system was sterile to begin with and a the beginning of a culture is the sole purpose of getting the tank started in its cycle I was not sure if the skimmer's operation from the get go was a good or bad thing.