Protein skimmer vs. fuge, Literally

[farsight32]

About two weeks ago my protein skimmer died. Now I bought it used, and reconditioned it originally, so it's not like I was sad about the value lost. Instead of just buying a new one, I decided to build my own. Now the one I created is pretty stone age, but that is not the point.
I also have a refugium with chaeto. My algae was growing very slowly in the month I had it, form the size of my fist it just about doubled. In the week and a half I had no skimmer running, it went from the size of two of my fists to a bowling ball. Now the rapid growth happened right after I upgraded my sump light from a clip-on LED to a clip-on with an incandescent bulb above.
Is the rapid growth due to the new lighting?
I ask because in all of my research (note I am still pretty new at this), the skimmer and the macro algae perform the same function. They both remove nitrates and other bad stuff from your water, and from my understanding, the macro algae actually feeds off of them in a way. So it seems to me that the skimmer is actually competing with the macro algae. This is only me thinking out loud, but to me, the novice, that the skimmer is not necessary under the right conditions. Mainly, a refugium with adequate lighting and space for the macro algae to grow. After noticing how well my chaeto grew with no skimmer, I am considering going skimmerless.
Is there another benefit that a protein skimmer has that macro algae does not? Will the extra growth of my macro algae be a benefit, and if so does that benefit outweigh the cost of not having a skimmer?
I am in no rush to undertake this experiment, I just wanted to hear what everyone thinks, or if I am completely wrong in my hypothesis.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by farsight32 http:///t/393406/protein-skimmer-vs-fuge-literally#post_3499484
About two weeks ago my protein skimmer died. Now I bought it used, and reconditioned it originally, so it's not like I was sad about the value lost. Instead of just buying a new one, I decided to build my own. Now the one I created is pretty stone age, but that is not the point.
I also have a refugium with chaeto. My algae was growing very slowly in the month I had it, form the size of my fist it just about doubled. In the week and a half I had no skimmer running, it went from the size of two of my fists to a bowling ball. Now the rapid growth happened right after I upgraded my sump light from a clip-on LED to a clip-on with an incandescent bulb above.
Is the rapid growth due to the new lighting?
I ask because in all of my research (note I am still pretty new at this), the skimmer and the macro algae perform the same function. They both remove nitrates and other bad stuff from your water, and from my understanding, the macro algae actually feeds off of them in a way. So it seems to me that the skimmer is actually competing with the macro algae. This is only me thinking out loud, but to me, the novice, that the skimmer is not necessary under the right conditions. Mainly, a refugium with adequate lighting and space for the macro algae to grow. After noticing how well my chaeto grew with no skimmer, I am considering going skimmerless.
Is there another benefit that a protein skimmer has that macro algae does not? Will the extra growth of my macro algae be a benefit, and if so does that benefit outweigh the cost of not having a skimmer?
I am in no rush to undertake this experiment, I just wanted to hear what everyone thinks, or if I am completely wrong in my hypothesis.
Hello,
Macroalge feeds on nitrates and phosphates. When you remove the overgrowth, you are removing the bad stuff out with it. As it grows out again, it removes even more. The dirtier the water, the faster the macros grow. The skimmer ONLY removes organics from the water, so it helps keep algae away. Those extra nutrients also feed the macros. When your skimmer crashed, the water quality declined, and the Chaeto saved your butt and kept the tank water pristine.
With an algae scrubber or macros, you really don't have to have a skimmer. I have a skimmer on my 90g and I empty some really nasty stuff out of the cup...but I don't have one on my 56g and both tanks are doing great...but I keep a ton of macroalgae in both display tanks. My parameters always read perfect for 0 nitrates and phosphates because the macros feed on it.

 

[acrylic51]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/393406/protein-skimmer-vs-fuge-literally#post_3499489
Hello,
Macroalge feeds on nitrates and phosphates. When you remove the overgrowth, you are removing the bad stuff out with it. As it grows out again, it removes even more. The dirtier the water, the faster the macros grow. The skimmer ONLY removes organics from the water, so it helps keep algae away. Those extra nutrients also feed the macros. When your skimmer crashed, the water quality declined, and the Chaeto saved your butt and kept the tank water pristine.
With an algae scrubber or macros, you really don't have to have a skimmer. I have a skimmer on my 90g and I empty some really nasty stuff out of the cup...but I don't have one on my 56g and both tanks are doing great...but I keep a ton of macroalgae in both display tanks. My parameters always read perfect for 0 nitrates and phosphates because the macros feed on it.
That's really debatable......Although a skimmer and scrubber/macros compete; a skimmer can't be deemed not really needed.....A skimmer does perform it's function IMO.