Cycling question

ReeferNC · 02/24/2014, 07:02 PM

I just set up a 75 gallon reef tank and I'm about to begin cycling soon. I was wondering what peripherals do I need to run or not run during the cycling process? I know not to have the lights on, and not to run my media reactor, but what about the skimmer and powerheads? I realize that there's really not going to be any skimate while cycling, but I was wondering if it's a good time to let it break in?

shifty51008 · 02/24/2014, 07:37 PM

I always run the skimmer, powerheads and lights during the cycle. Your gonna get an algae bloom sooner or later anyway, but leaving the lights off will save you the electricity.

hijinks · 02/24/2014, 09:14 PM

At a bare minimum you need a heater and a power head for flow

rfgonzo · 02/24/2014, 10:53 PM

If your curing the rock then no light, if cycling you want some light at least a couple hours a day. Since your skimmer is not broken in, I would run it. You want as much flow as possible so keep your power heads going.

ReeferNC · 02/25/2014, 07:42 AM

Awesome, thanks all. So I'll pretty much run everything except my media reactor and lights. I'm using dry base rock that I intend to seed with a few lbs. of liverock so no need to cure it. It's nice to be able to jump on here and be able to fill in the gaps.

02/24/2014, 07:02 PM	#1
ReeferNC Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 69	Cycling question I just set up a 75 gallon reef tank and I'm about to begin cycling soon. I was wondering what peripherals do I need to run or not run during the cycling process? I know not to have the lights on, and not to run my media reactor, but what about the skimmer and powerheads? I realize that there's really not going to be any skimate while cycling, but I was wondering if it's a good time to let it break in?

02/24/2014, 07:37 PM	#2
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	I always run the skimmer, powerheads and lights during the cycle. Your gonna get an algae bloom sooner or later anyway, but leaving the lights off will save you the electricity. __________________ 75 gal. mixed DT, 100 gal. sump, 50 gal. fuge, Clownfish breeder

02/24/2014, 09:14 PM	#3
hijinks Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 505	At a bare minimum you need a heater and a power head for flow

02/24/2014, 10:53 PM	#4
rfgonzo Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,280	If your curing the rock then no light, if cycling you want some light at least a couple hours a day. Since your skimmer is not broken in, I would run it. You want as much flow as possible so keep your power heads going.

02/25/2014, 07:42 AM	#5
ReeferNC Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 69	Awesome, thanks all. So I'll pretty much run everything except my media reactor and lights. I'm using dry base rock that I intend to seed with a few lbs. of liverock so no need to cure it. It's nice to be able to jump on here and be able to fill in the gaps.