Skippy strart up

[fish]

This is my second year with the skippy. Should I drain it and clean the pads? I don't have a prefilter. Should I waite till the water is around 50 degrees to start the skippy? When to add microlift?

 

[Shdwdrgn]

I believe the bacteria will grow once the temperature reaches 40 degrees (not 50). If the pump has been off all Winter and your bacteria are dead anyway, you might as well clean the pads. You want the junk out of there so it doesn't clog up the biomedia and suffocate the bacteria.

 

[fishin4cars]

I agree, Great time to clean it and have it ready for the new season. As for when the Bacteria will start growing, I didn't know they were tempature sensitive.

 

[koiguy1969]

different strains of bacteria have different "die off " points on the thermometer. there are colder water strains, and some that cant take 50*... good thing my media goes inside for the winter and the colony remains active. but yes, this would be the time to clean it if your so inclined.

 

[fish]

Thanks for the information. I will clean the pads as soon as it stops raining. Rain is predicted for all of this week.