Just a few questions...

[eceon]

1) I am beginning the cycling phase of my tank (150g) using live rock, 10 damsels and bio-spira. I am unsure and wondering if my protein skimmer should be on or off at this time? It has been off for the past two days as instructed by the bio-spira package. Also, the skimmer seems to have some old water in it that hasn't moved in the last two days. Should this be emptied out before (if) I start the skimmer up again?

2) Ok. I don't know how it happened, but I've noticed a pretty big scratch on the inside of my tank last night and freaked out. At first, it looked like water bubbles on the inside of the tank. But after I went to clean it, it would not come off. Feeling it with my fingers, I do not notice any indentation of any scratches and it feels perfectly smooth. I am convinced it is not a crack, rather it looks like a sharp rock bumped up against it, which is impossible btw. So, I guess my question is how can I remedy the scratch? Is this something I should worry about as a potential danger? How could this have happened if I knowingly avoided the scratched area when arranging the aquascape? I'm so upset right now :(

thanks for yr time

[OrionGirl]

Not sure about the skimmer. You don't run it during a normal cycle, but I probably would, in the hopes that it would reduce the level of toxins the fish get exposed to.

For the scratch--yep, certainly a possibility that a rock or other object smacked the side just right, and scratched it or knocked out a divot. Glass and acrylic can both be scratched if you're cleaning it and sand gets between the tank surface and the cleaning pad. Some can be fixed, but not while it's full.

[eceon]

omg.. i keep noticing new scratches now! i noticed some before i went into work today, and now i am noticing a new pair of scratches! they look similar to the one i was previously speaking of, as i f they were bumped by small stones. but, i haven't put anything in the tank for 72 hours now! how can this be happening!? this is really discouraging... what can i do to repair the scratches? any particular product or service i should look into? could sand be doing this? i never noticed any sharp debris floating in my water. it is generally pretty clear. also, i do not feel the scratches at all as the glass remains quite smooth. &*^@$*(@!!!!!!

as for the skimmer, before i turn it back on, should i empty the water out of the cup first or just run it? looks pretty brown to me..

please help me. these scratches are really bumming me out. :(

[OrionGirl]

Try scraping them off with a glass safe scraper--or an old credit card. Could just be something growing or stuck on the glass.

[JonPM]

Empty out that water and rinse the skimmer clean with either salt water from your aquarium or distilled water. I'm not sure when to turn it on exactly, I'm trying to figure that out myself.

[BrianH]

If you plan on trying to keep the damsels alive I would run the skimmer and do frequent water changes. This is the issue with using fish for cycling. Either you kill some or all of the fish, or your cycle may take longer by doing water changes to keep them alive.

Brian

ps I would definitely remove the water and rinse the skimmer ,as was suggested, before using.

[eceon]

oh i really hope you're right, orion. i am at work right now, and will try the credit card thing when i get home. however, i have used one of those tank brushes to try and remove it but no luck. i have no clue as to how the scratches appeared on my tank, and it scares me it may happen again. (if indeed they are scratched)

the skimmer was off because of the instructions from the bio-spira which said 48 hours. i havent turned it back on upon reccomedation from various ppl i know. however they may not be as familiar to marine tanks as many of the ppl using these boards.

btw- the fish appear to be healthy, playful and eating well.

e