Should I run carbon during new tank start cycle?

Just got saltwater in my 180.. I used dead sand that was rinsed thoroughly and dead rock.. I am running my skimmer right now trying to get it all cleared up but was wondering if I should be running carbon?? also, should I put some bioptim or biogest? I moved some rocks from my other tank into the sump to get some bacteria in the water column and try to get it kicked off.. I still need to siphon some sand out of it and move it to the 180... also, should throw some chaeto in there??

 

I wouldn't run any type of filtration until the cycle is over. You want the water to get good and nasty to get the bacteria well established.

 

ok cool.. Ill just leave it as is then.. I am running the skimmer to try to clear up the water some.. its not terrible as I rinsed the sand out really good, but its still not real clear.. probably the rock die off im sure or the marco rocks sand I used

 

+1. No carbon for now. Let the tank get nice and soupy. Once the cycle is done, then do water changes, run the skimmer (I wouldn't bother with it for now), and run some carbon.

 

so the water should get hazy looking?? its not cloudy like sand floating around cloudy, more like hazy like a few drops of milk in water cloudy if that makes sense.. wont it smell bad if I dont run the skimmer?

 

I agree, don't run the skimmer either. Stronger bacterial filtration comes from nastier water.

 

Yeah, it will be hazy for awhile while the water settles down. I would prepare yourself for it to get a bit smelling. Cycling is not the prettiest part of a tank.

 

I agree....make sure your cycle is done all the way before running anything. Once your cycle is done and your water has settled down (both in clarity and in parameters) then get your skimmer going and run carbon. I would still run both of those for a good week before adding sensitive livestock just to make sure all is well. When you decide to add livestock, I would swap the carbon for new, clean stuff (I run carbon at all times...my water is sooooo clear!!) especially since most fish will excrete extra ammonia from the stress of new surroundings. JMO!

 

ok, thanks for the tips.... i will kill the skimmer tonight and let it do its thing.. im in no rush so i am prepared for a few weeks !

 

I never knew that, not to steal your thread or anything. When cycling your tank you should just add live rock and not have it going through a fuge or sump? Or are you saying just not to have it going through a protein skimmer, filter media, etc.