All my cycling questions?

I have started the cycle on my tank and sure I will have a million questions. Therefore I am going to put them on this thread. If I have a few good ones I will do a write up for cycle and startup for newbies like me. I feel I should contribute to the site a bit for all of the advice I have been given, I am greatfull for it thanks guys. Now my first questions is will it hurt to run my skimmer for the first day or two to help clear up the water. (sand storm, didn't rinse = worst idea ever). I am using a filter sock and a bunch of filter floss between the baffles. Should I let it ride out or will skimmer help.

 

IMO a protein skimmer will help little to clear the water of cloudiness..changing the sock and maybe cleaning the floss..This will benefit clarity...oh, and ride it out : )
How long has it been cycling? any diatoms yet?

 

Don't worry, I got a sandstorm too. It cleared up in 2 days. Ive known that it can take up to a week though.

 

Just started evrything going yesterday haha I'm excited, luckily I'm going on a fishing trip so I can't mess with it for a week. I'm thinking this is going to be a 2 week sand storm I am starting to be able to see rock lol.

 

It normally goes away in a day or so

 

I wouldn't run the skimmer at the beginning. You want all the nutrients in the water to feed the bacteria and make your bio filter as strong as possible. It should clear up well before the end of the cycle though, so just sit back and watch.

 

I think that the filter floss will help you out the most as far as clearing the sand storm. The storm should be gone within a few days.

 

fa'ged'da'bout'it...geeeez...
..the sand storm is the least of your worries
go fish'n already. : )
c-ya in a week ! : )

 

Well, turned on the skimmer for away 6 hours and I can see the back of my tank! Gonna leave it off now. The floss is nice but taking it out with out another dust storm is a pita. But, I agree fishing mode haha catch you all in a week !

 

my tank at setup,chit happens! It'll clear up for ya....eventually.