100% what i was going to reply with. Yes algae uses phosphate and nitrates, however skimmers pull out organic material BEFORE it becomes nitrates. Meaning less stress overall on the system.
If you've seen a skimmer, you know what we are talking about. I wouldn't want to pour that skimmate back into the system, which is exactly that when running skimmerless.
no doubt you can have a successful tank. Over the years iv learnt there are ways to a successful tank with LESS work
Looking forward to see some postings about it. I would like a scrubber soon