Ethan7474
Aquarium Advice Regular
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2013
- Messages
- 98
For fish only with live rock (at least 30 lbs.), you could use it WITH a protein skimmer. If you're looking to go inexpensive and have both HOB filter and skimmer, you could look at Skilter Filters. I used them years ago for a basic setup. Not the optimum way to go long term or with corals and expensive fish, but for a beginner setup, it would work fine.
I'm converting a 33 long QT into a permanent display tank and I'll be using a AC 50 power filter and a slim skim protein skimmer with no sump. There are lots of options for HOB filters and skimmers.
There are several skimmers that will work, what they do is extend your water change frequency (very basically), are they necessary? Not really but they may allow you not to do PWC every few days depending on bio load.
Sure, now many people replace the media in the filter with things like filter floss, carbon, chemi-pure, purigen etc. After watching your parameters you'll get an idea of what issues you may have. Did you mention any power heads?
You are using Live sand as well as the live rock, correct?
One other thing to look at is an RODI water filter. If you can't buy one right now, try to get the best filtered water you can. It'll save you a lot of headaches in future with algae and diatoms.