Skimmer for my new Tank

[moneymm]

I am looking for a recommedation for a skimmer for my new tank.

It has now been running for 2 weeks, this is what i have going so far.

43 Gallon Bow Tank
40 lbs of live rock
50 lbs live sand

heim 350 cannister filter
Hydor Koralia Nano Circulation Pump/Powerhead, (i plan on adding another)
Fluval M200 Submersible Heater

I plan on starting w/ 2 clown fish. eventually would like to add alot of coral, anemome, and 5 or so additional fish.

I have absolutely no idea what I should get, you can talk to me like im 5 years old, b/c is this hobby i am 2 weeks old. thanks

 

[cloak]

I'm not sure if you plan on having a sump or not, but for a 43 gallon tank, you might want to look into either the Reef Octopus skimmers, or the Eshopps skimmers. Both of them seem to be pretty popular here at RC.

http://www.aquacave.com/protein-skimmers/reef-octopus-protein-skimmers.html

http://www.aquacave.com/protein-skimmers/eshopps-protein-skimmers.html

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1708524&highlight=eshopps+skimmer

 

[moneymm]

Thanks I am going w the reef octopus classic 100. Hob. I will update with how it goes

 

[Sk8r]

Recommend for a reef you go sump/downflow with fuge...ditch the filters: they're prone to produce nitrate. Your live rock will cycle waste all the way to nitrogen gas, so you don't need the filters. I don't even run a filter sock.

 

[moneymm]

No sump space at all. I didn't plan anything. One day I said I want a fish tank, so I went to lfs and bought.

 

[moneymm]

I had no idea what I was getting into. But I'm happy I did, I needed a hobby.

 

[Dapg8gt]

If your not going to run a sump and are forced to run a hob I would spring for the Ro bh90.. It has most of the features of the newer skimmers and works well.. I ran a full stocked 45g sps dominant tank with one.. Works very well for what it is and has overflow protection like the other poster if you can run a sump do it..

I ran a aquaclear 70 with weekly sponge cleaning mostly at 3 days though, live rock and a skimmer.. A canister filter is out of sight out of mind so you will eventually let it get to dirty and it will seriously work against you . If you are dead set on keeping the canister the sponges should be cleaned very regularly like 3-5 days and that becomes a pita.

Aquamaxx hob's also get great reviews.. Whatever you do base it larger than your tank, x2 seems to be the norm..

 

[moneymm]

Isn't a filter important? If not why did I buy this thing?

 

[cloak]

Not necessarily. For running things like carbon & GFO in, a HOB filter or a cannister filter can be very beneficial, but as far as one being the primary filter for a tank goes, (especially with salt water) live rock is a much better option. Check this out.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rs/feature/index.php