skilter filter or protien skimmer

[awesome kid]

which should i use for a 29 gal reef?
a filter
a skilter
or a protien skimmer

[redpaulhus]

Hi Awesome !

I'd avoid the skilter like the plague.
If your going truly "reef" (high lighting, corals, etc) I'd skip a mechanical filter and go with a good quality skimmer (here's some reviews: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/cav1i1...mpressions.htm )

If your located in Mass, you may want to see if you can snag a used skimmer from a member of the Boston Reefer's club - it seems like there's always somebody selling one
http://www.bostonreefers.org/forums/ -- check out the equipment for sale forum.

(the club is also a great way to get coral frags cheap from fellow reefers - let them know your a newbie starting a tank and they'll practically trip over each other to donate frags or sell them for dirt cheap (like $10) prices. )

There are also sometimes good deals at the Boston Aquarium Society meetings, although since the BAS is more freshwater focused you may not see as many reef goodies. The big auction in November (all day long on a sunday) usually has some good deals though. www.bostonaquariumsociety.org

[Osiris]

I am setting up a 29g reef as well. My filteration is going like this:
AC500 will be a refugium packed with cheato macroalgae powered by 18w PC's.

A overflow will run down to a 10g or 15g whatever i can get underthere, to hold a excalibur insump protein skimmer, so i can have my heaters and stuff in there too, and only liverock i will have will be in the tank. 150w MH 20K lighting on it..

Just to give you an idea, the excalibur for $100 does a great job rated right up there on RC.

[TheOldSalt]

Skilters work okay, but they make a LOT of noise.

[Larry-T]

I have used a Skilter for a number of tanks, including my 30 gal tank in which I intend to breed clownfish. It does seem to provide skimming, mechanical filtration, and a nice current. While it probably doesn't skim as well as a dedicated skimmer, if you do regular water testing and partial changes, it's a good choice for small to medium size tank.

[CMonroe]

Originally Posted by TheOldSalt

Skilters work okay, but they make a LOT of noise.

I kind of agree. For my original small SW tank, the skilter worked fine for a couple of years, but it started leaking, and it was always very noisy. I would not buy one again, but for a cheap all-in-one, it's the only game in town (I think).