To Skim Or Not To Skim...

[C_Reefer]

I have a 24 Gal Aquatop AIO that has been up and running for about 8 months. My main form of nutrient export was a refugium but recently I've been noticing that my chaeto haven't been growing much. I'm a tad worried because despite getting zeroes on my nitrate/phosphate tests not having a lot of macroalgae isn't the best for the micro community living back there (copepods, amphipods, etc)

The system did come with a stock protein skimmer that I haven't used yet but I've been wondering if now is the time to switch up

So here are my options

1). Remove the refugium, add the skimmer

2). get more chaeto or replace with a different sort of macroalgae

 

[Pistondog]

Make sure 5he fuge light is adequate.
I like a skimmer for air exchange.