Should You Use a Protein Skimmer While Cycling an Aquarium?

Protein skimmers are filters designed to do just what the name indicates: skim proteins from the water. They are employed most typically on saltwater reef tanks, though they may be used on fish-only saltwater tanks as well as a variety of freshwater applications.

  1. Significance of Protein Skimmers

    • Protein skimmers are one of the most beneficial items one can have on an aquarium due to the fact that they remove particulate organic matter from within the water column.

    Effects of Protein Skimming

    • The effects of protein skimmers are that by reducing the amount of dissolved organic material in the water column, the amount of waste in the aquarium is reduced, thereby keeping the aquarium cleaner and healthier.

    Protein Skimming and Corals

    • For saltwater tanks, it is advised to make use of a protein skimmer because the lower the nutrient levels in the water such as nitrogen, phosphates and silicates cause many corals to exhibit colors closer to that of their non-captive counterparts.

    When to Use

    • It is generally not advised to use a protein skimmer during the cycling stage. The reasons for this are that during the cycling stage, it is your goal to let the nitrifying bacteria reproduce to help stabilize the nutrient levels within the tank. By skimming out the dissolved organics within the tank, you are essentially stealing food away from these beneficial bacteria.

    Time Frame

    • The correct time to add a protein skimmer is around three months after the aquarium has been established. This gives ample time for the bacteria to multiply to a self-sustaining level.