Starting up and looking for some advice

[Skellz]

I've just started up my 55g last night. I purchased it intending for it to be a FW tank, but after looking at SEVERAL pics from the showcases here, I had to have a SW! I've been doing research for several weeks, I feel like I have a saltwater overload in it! Anyways...

As of now, I have an Aquaclear 70 in it, as well as the filter that came with the tank (I plan on replacing it next week with another Aquaclear 70). I also have two Koralia 2's, the heater it came with, 60lbs of CaribSea sand, 38lbs of base rock (will be getting about 20lbs of live rock next week), and I think that's about it.

One thing I am compltely clueless on is the skimmer! I'll need the HOB kind. One day, after my 2yo daughter and 1yo son have grown out of their destroying every in sight stage I plan on doing a sump.

I'll post some pics of my progress later on today... since I'm new to the SW world, I have no problem with advice, anything to make this process smoother and easier would be helpful. For the last few days I've had SW dreams, crazy!

Any suggestions on the skimmer?

 

[Krypt]

Bak-Pak protein skimmers are HOB and IME they work very well. Mine pulls all sorts of junk from the water.

The Bak-Pak 2 Protien Skimmer & Bio-Filter

 

[melosu58]

IMO nothing beats the octopus brand skimmers.

 

[Krypt]

Octopus is definitely the caddy of skimmers. They don't make a HOB though do they? thought it was all sump.

 

[melosu58]

You might be right but they have so many. I`d check it out.

 

[Skellz]

Would this Octopus work for HOB?

Reef Octopus BH 100 Hang on Back Protein Skimmer - AquaCave

 

[kdogg85]

The octopus bh-300f hob is what I have on my 75g. It's rated up to 135g. It's $200 at reefspecialty.com with free shipping. It works wonderful, don't get me wrong but, if I could do it over again I would get the 800s because it has the sicce pump. The resun king pumps in mine are fairly loud so if noise is a concern get the 800s, it's quieter. The reason I'd recommend these two is the pumps are in the skimmer and not in the tank. BTW, do not skimp on this piece of equipment, you'll be sorry later. I'm sure the 100 is good, but the pumps will eat up a lot of space.