stupid question regarding Chaeto

[boshk]

When cycling a new tank, would you consider using Chaeto in the sump instead of a protein skimmer?
I was reading quite a few threads on this forum regarding skimmer-less tanks working great.

There would be excess phos and nitrates during the cycle so all the chaeto would need is a good source of light to grow..

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Chaeto doesn't take the place of a protein skimmer. Think of Chaeto kind of like a nitrate sponge and a protein skimmer like an oil filter in your car. They both serve different functions. The protein skimmer is there to filter out all of the sludge waste that is made by fish and animal waste and the Chaeto absorbs nitrates but can't get rid of them unless harvested.

IMO and IME you need both until a tank matures to the point that the nitrate eating bacteria have matured to the point where they begin to eat the nitrates that are the left over from a newly cycled tank. The protein skimmer is just like the waves crashing the shoreline of the ocean which causes the fish and marine life waste to be taken out of the water due to the air mixing in with the water it creates a foam which is the skimmate you get in the cup of your protein skimmer.

Run a protein skimmer and see what it removes from the water and you will agree that they are a necessary piece of our reef or FOWLR tanks.

 

[HammerLover]

A skimmer is really needed if you have larger tanks, with smaller tanks you can go with weekly water changes and it can already do the job of a skimmer.

Macroalgae can take up po4 and no3 but it can't export proteins and other sludge that is in the water. If you want a cheap skimmer you can try the diy one using an airpump, a bottle and an airstone.