When should I start skimming?

Title say's it all. Tanks been up since 2/09/08. Just put my first clownfish in there almost 2 weeks ago. Turned on skimmer last night only skimmed for about an hour. Should I wait till I get more fish in there or just leave it running. I have the corallife superskimmer125. Also running a fluval 405.

 

You can start skimming as soon as the tank has finished cycleing, you will start to see some brown gunk build up after the skimmer as been broke in after a few hours or so...

 

This is a touchy subject for some. It could go the way off starting as soon as the tank cycles or... some say not to skim for 6 months so the tank can fully mature. Not say you should do one or the other but if it were me I'd wait.

Are you trying to lower nitrates or what? Just trying to find out why you're wanting to skim....

 

Are you trying to lower nitrates or what? Just trying to find out why you're wanting to skim....[/


I just want it to skim because it cost $150, and needs to do what its being paid for.

 

Thought you might say that. Sucks to have toys around you're not using...;D

Well give it a go if you can't wait. Might take some stuff out the tank needs but many people start skimming right away with no ill effects.

 

I started shortly before my cycle was done, when i was reading nitrates only. I have not had any ill effects but i have only set one tank up so... I also have the same skimmer and when it gets broke in it will skim some nasty sh**. But like KOgle said it is a very touchy subject.

 

Off topic a bit, but do you have your skimmer in a sump or hang on? I have the same skimmer and am trying to figure out where to put it. Thanks

 

if you've got the choice put it in your sump. Might cut down on the micro bubbles coming into the tank that way...

 

I've always started skimming the day water hit the tank. why wait? First off it tanks a couple of weeks for the skimmer to break in in that time your tank is building up a huge organic load. The skimmer will help remove it. I don;t believe you are affecting the nitrogen cycle by skimming

J

 

LOL very funny,
well after the cycle is finnished, when you start to get coraline growth on your rocks is when I would suggest to start the skimmer