When to turn on skimmer?

Steverino · 10/21/2006, 10:25 PM

What causes the biggest buildup of proteins? Not sure when to turn on the skimmer full time, I have been playing with the adjustments when i cycled the tank with live rock and sand, and now have hermits and snails, more live rock, so do I wait until the first fish arrives? I have kept it on for a few hours and had no sign of any skim yet.

demonsp · 10/21/2006, 10:32 PM

Start skimmer from day one. Skimmer takes a few days to adjust and settle. You may not get alot at first but as time goes on it will collect more.

Steverino · 10/21/2006, 10:38 PM

So the live rock and sand creates some proteins just as the fish will?

JamesJR · 10/21/2006, 10:42 PM

A protein skimmer removes all kinds of chemicals from the water, not just proteins. There are all kinds of chemical wastes that can exist in your tank water and the skimmer is there to pull them out of the water before they can decompose.

reefnetworth · 10/21/2006, 10:44 PM

skip

reefnetworth · 10/21/2006, 10:44 PM

was the rock cured? was it live sand? when was the cycle? the bigger build-ups are gonna be from food and fish as the nitrogen cycle starts to mature a little more.

Steverino · 10/22/2006, 12:30 PM

cured rock, yes. Live sand yes, one bag, plus aragonite sand as well. it has been in the tank 3+ weeks now.

10/21/2006, 10:25 PM	#1
Steverino Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: western Chicagoland, IL Posts: 1,114	When to turn on skimmer? What causes the biggest buildup of proteins? Not sure when to turn on the skimmer full time, I have been playing with the adjustments when i cycled the tank with live rock and sand, and now have hermits and snails, more live rock, so do I wait until the first fish arrives? I have kept it on for a few hours and had no sign of any skim yet.

10/21/2006, 10:42 PM	#4
JamesJR Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,733	A protein skimmer removes all kinds of chemicals from the water, not just proteins. There are all kinds of chemical wastes that can exist in your tank water and the skimmer is there to pull them out of the water before they can decompose. __________________ Just when I thought you couldn't be any dumber you go and do something like this....And totally redeem yourself! Current Tank Info: 20 gallon

10/21/2006, 10:44 PM	#5
reefnetworth Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 3,810	skip __________________ GIVE A MAN A FISH, YOU FEED HIM FOR A DAY. TEACH A MAN TO FISH, HE FEEDS HIMSELF FOR LIFE. (NEVER, underestimate another man's greed) Current Tank Info: SPS dominated barebottom display with BB sump since 2005, most consistant parameters in 19+ years of reefkeeping.

10/21/2006, 10:44 PM	#6
reefnetworth Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 3,810	was the rock cured? was it live sand? when was the cycle? the bigger build-ups are gonna be from food and fish as the nitrogen cycle starts to mature a little more. __________________ GIVE A MAN A FISH, YOU FEED HIM FOR A DAY. TEACH A MAN TO FISH, HE FEEDS HIMSELF FOR LIFE. (NEVER, underestimate another man's greed) Current Tank Info: SPS dominated barebottom display with BB sump since 2005, most consistant parameters in 19+ years of reefkeeping.

10/21/2006, 10:32 PM	#2
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	Start skimmer from day one. Skimmer takes a few days to adjust and settle. You may not get alot at first but as time goes on it will collect more.

10/21/2006, 10:38 PM	#3
Steverino Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: western Chicagoland, IL Posts: 1,114	So the live rock and sand creates some proteins just as the fish will?

10/22/2006, 12:30 PM	#7
Steverino Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: western Chicagoland, IL Posts: 1,114	cured rock, yes. Live sand yes, one bag, plus aragonite sand as well. it has been in the tank 3+ weeks now.