Skimming during cycle

[chase33]

While cycling the tank should the skimmer be turned on or off?

[cloak]

I would turn it on.

[HornetMech242]

I would.

[sir_dudeguy]

yep, i third that. Definitely skim during a cycle. IMO it would help get rid of a few nasties you may have in a new tank.

[Old Yeller]

on

[chase33]

It's now on and turning out heaps of foam.

[bbehring]

Best to get the organics out of the water. I'd recommend to run the skimmer and have all the pumps/powerheads on also. If you are curing your rock in your tank, during the cycle, then you should get crazy amounts of skimmate. I'd run it medium (not too wet, but not too dry. I did 10% water changes about every 3 to 4 days. I also used Nitromax Marine and dosed every other day. My cycle was relatively quick and no nucience algae blooms.

[sir_dudeguy]

Oh, another reason i'd say to turn it on now is because it takes about a week or so to break in. During that time it is perfectly normal for it to put out a lot of bubbles into the tank and to not pull out much at all. After about a week you should start to notice a big difference in how much its pulling out.

[drummereef]

Yes, there are many reasons to have the skimmer on during cycling. I think it's a good idea always. ;)