Need for protein skimmer with EcoSystem

[peggy]

I was recently told by LFS that any system that uses a refugium with plants for filtration (e.g., the EcoSystem like I use) still needs a protein skimmer because the water will eventually take on a yellow cast. I then read the same thing in one of my books. Does anyone have any experience with this happening and especially if you do use the EcoSystem? Thanks.

 

[daniel411]

While its not something you "have" to have... its so incredibly helpful that you really should have one.
Even with the eco-system which will help process the waste, a skimmer will remove the waste completely from the system. So your ecosystem doesn't have to process as much, the whole tanks more stable, and removing waste is way better than processing.... as you're probally never process it all perfectly.

 

[benj2112]

Can't you run carbon to get rid of yellow water as well?