Skimmer

[hunk]

Hi everyone!

So sorry, I've forgotten something. I have been buying SW from the dealer every week for a 10% water change while my tank is still cycling, it is burning a hole in my pocket and the hassle you can imagine. I am thinking of using tapwater to mix with ocean salt but I am afraid that the solution might not suits the SG of seawater, currently the sg measures at about 1.023 using a deepsix hydrometer. If I were to mix the water myself, must the sg measures 1.023 as well?

Another question is, my dealer advised me not to use a skimmer when my tank is still cycling, he said that it will skim the useful minerals as well. May I know if this info is right. I'd like to know exactly when is the right time to use a skimmer. Or if it is better to do without. Thank you!

[JasonA]

I myself am going through a tank cycle right now (week1) and was told by 3 lfs and by most on here not to start up the skimmer until atleast week 2 or maybe 3 depending on how the cycle is going....

It does take some of the trace elements out like calcium and iodine so if you are running a reef system, and a skimmer, you'll have to add these periodcally...

Jason

[Mandairn]

Depending on when u want to add fish..when to start the skimmer. I takes paitions but id say let it complete cycile then let the skimmer run a day or so then add your first animal. I put all my crabs and trubo sea stars in first. I dont run with a skimmer BUT, I recomnd you do. You'll b alot happer. (im waiting on getting a skimmer cuase i want to find out what one i want to get).

gOOd LuCK