A quick inquiry on cycling

[RiverRat]

Hi......it has been a while since I last cycled a tank and was hoping someone could help jumpstart my memory.
Should I be running a protein skimmer while cycling my tank? I have not as of yet.
The Cycle is fishless, with a shrimp from the supermarket.
My ammonia has been reading zero for a few days after hovering between 1 and 2 ppm (the kit is API). My nitrite readings are higher than 5ppm. My Nitrate is around 10 and has stayed there since I added a large amount of chaeto in the refugium last week (not sure if that is what is keeping it in check or if nitrite conversion has slowed).
I have not done any water changes yet and the rotting shrimp is still in the tank to feed the bacteria.
Thank you

 

[Owen386]

yeah I would just keep up with what your doing no skimmer wait till those nitrIte drop and you will be all good. Sounds like your on your way.

 

[jarrodsanborn]

skimmer wont hury, but is not needed. Keep up what you are doing, and wait, wait, wait.

ps. The damsels n chromis of the world appreciate your decision to do a fishless cycle. thumbs up!

 

[RiverRat]

Thanks to the both of you.......I am feeling much more confident about it.
Waiting is truly the hardest part, haha.

skimmer wont hury, but is not needed. Keep up what you are doing, and wait, wait, wait.

ps. The damsels n chromis of the world appreciate your decision to do a fishless cycle. thumbs up!

Thanks for the thumbs up. I am all about the fishless cycle now, and it is so simple, seems to be where the hobby is headed.