Protein Skimmer vs Macro algae

[Areeflover]

So i'm running a tank with no skimmer, it just has a lot of ceramic bio balls, rock and chaeto. i have a protein skimmer. and i'm wondering does chaeto remove everything a protein skimmer removes or is the skimmer way more effective. BTW my tank is a 25g display and a 30 gal sump so maybe 40 gal system and the skimmer i have is probably rated for a 200g system.

 

[Orm Embar]

I personally feel that macroalgae (refugia with chaeto, reactor, or scrubber) work better than a skimmer (if you're comparing a system with just macroalgae vs a system with just a skimmer) as skimmers remove only roughly 20-35% total dissolved organics (Advanced Aquarist articles); my personal experience mirrors this as I run a skimmerless system and chaeto in a refugium with live rock/a bit of sand in the display provides all of my filtration and maintains the tank very well (and easily).

Having said that, skimmers do oxygenate the water nicely, are a nice backup system that can respond very quickly to acute problems (a fish dying, et cetera), and the combination of macro + skimmer are used by many if not the majority of reefers successfully.

 

[Dlealrious]

I'd say depends on your bio load. I have a pretty small bio load and a decent size huge so don't need to run a skimmer. One less think to maintain I just throw out 70% or chesto out once a month

 

[Areeflover]

I personally feel that macroalgae (refugia with chaeto, reactor, or scrubber) work better than a skimmer (if you're comparing a system with just macroalgae vs a system with just a skimmer) as skimmers remove only roughly 20-35% total dissolved organics (Advanced Aquarist articles); my personal experience mirrors this as I run a skimmerless system and chaeto in a refugium with live rock/a bit of sand in the display provides all of my filtration and maintains the tank very well (and easily).

Having said that, skimmers do oxygenate the water nicely, are a nice backup system that can respond very quickly to acute problems (a fish dying, et cetera), and the combination of macro + skimmer are used by many if not the majority of reefers successfully.

Hmmm I've been thinking about using my skimmer again along with the chaeto just for the hell of it

 

[Hemmdog]

Hmmm I've been thinking about using my skimmer again along with the chaeto just for the hell of it

What’s your nitrates ? What kind of coral do you have & want to have.

 

[MrObscura]

I went back and forth on this for a while and in the end concluded that it's not quite an eithe/or situation but a step process... Have neither but could use some nutrient export? Add a skimmer. Still need more export? Add macro in some form(i.e. refugium, scrubber, etc.) Also I've seen far more awesome tanks with a skimmer and no fuge vs the other way around. In fact the tanks I'm most impressed with tend to run just a skimmer, no fuge, and do regular water changes.

Really unless you have an insane bioload or feel the need to drive nutrients as low as possible a skimmer will likely suffice. It does just enough to help without stripping too much.

But if you just don't want to do water changes, then both is the way to go.

 

[najer]

As above, what is your bio load, that rated skimmer will strip nutrients fast and affect your macros.

 

[High ICP]

As above, what is your bio load, that rated skimmer will strip nutrients fast and affect your macros.

So?

If you’re pulling all that crap out, you don’t need the macros

The “rating” of a skimmer is nonsense anyway

 

[najer]

So?

If you’re pulling all that crap out, you don’t need the macros

The “rating” of a skimmer is nonsense anyway

Each tank is different, it is about finding a balance that suites the individual system.
I run both but run the skimmer drain open into the fuge if my nutrients seem a bit low, I don't test nitrates or phos., if my caulerpa growth slows I open the drain and if it speeds up I collect and dispose of the skimmate, works for me.

 

[Jinko]

Although kind of off topic, I've noticed since running a roller filter, my skimmer barely works these days.
Maybe it's time to take it offline and replace it with chaeto.

 

[High ICP]

People run macroalgae to outcompete tank algae

If the skimmer outcompetes the macros, then it’s doing what I want...cleaning the water

Pull the macros, save the space, light, electricity

I don’t build a coral reef system to husband seaweed

 

[Jinko]

Pull the macros, save the space, light, electricity

You realise this works both ways through.

 

[PatW]

Skimmers and algae target different things. Algae will absorb nitrates and phosphates directly from the water in order to grow.

Skimmers cannot remove nitrates and phosphates directly from the water column. Skimmers can remove bacteria in the water column that are growing by absorbing phosphates and nitrates. Skimmers also remove macromolecules from the water before they break down and release phosphates and nitrates.

 

[norfolkgarden]

Skimmers and algae target different things. Algae will absorb nitrates and phosphates directly from the water in order to grow.

Skimmers cannot remove nitrates and phosphates directly from the water column. Skimmers can remove bacteria in the water column that are growing by absorbing phosphates and nitrates. Skimmers also remove macromolecules from the water before they break down and release phosphates and nitrates.

Nice explanation! Thank you

 

[FishyDP]

Agreed that it is all about balance. I run macro and a skimmer, as I believe they perform different functions. The skimmer pulls nutrients out of the water column before they are completely broken down, keeping no3/po4 down. The chaeto helps absorb what the skimmer misses ...so I like to run both.

If your skimmer is overrated for your system, you can put it on a timer and only run it a few hours a day.