Bakapuma
Supporting Member
IMHO I disagree. The purpose of skimming is to prevent the organics from increasing the NH4 spike. The frequent water changes also help to keep the cycle from being so intense. The die off is expected, but the toll it will take on the micro fauna which is sensitive to high levels of all three parts of the ammonia to nitrite to nitrate cycle will be greater than it has to be. If anything the water changes and the skimming may reduce the amount of time it will take pods and other desirable micro fauna to populate the system. And remember, the nitrates will be absorbed by the sand bed and the live rock. A single water change may not be enough to remove the high nitrate levels that built up during the cycle.xkenneth said:There's no reason to skim or do water changes during a cycle either. I let the ammonia, then nitrites of course, and then wait for it to only read nitrates. I then do a water change and your cycle is complete. Skimming and macro will only hinder your cycle. Carbon I don't really have an opinion on.