protein skimmer and heater

[aryiman]

i am getting a 29 gallon tank and im curious what protein skimmer i should get for this? i dont like things hanging off the back of my tank just because im anal like that, but i will put the protein skimmer back there if i have to. i am not going to run a sump or anything, let me know.

also what should i use for a heater and thermometer? i dont know good brands of fish life....thanks

[roka64]

I'll have to defer you to the skimmer experts, somee popular brands are the Aqua C series, bak-pak, Euro-reef and ASM(I think).
I use the Finnex 100w DIGITAL Titanium Heater w/controller . I recently had a lot of water drain from my tank, exposing the heaters to the air and they still work.
For a themometer, I bought the Coralife Digital Thermometer .

[macman7010]

First I would recommend getting a 30 gallon long as opposed to a 29. 30 longs are shorter, but longer and offer more surface area which facilitates better gas exchange which is beneficial to your fish and other marine animals.

As for having a protein skimmer hanging on the back; unless you outfit the tank with a sump you really have no other choice, running the tank skimmerless I feel is a risk. The Aqua C Remora is the best, by far, HOB skimmer I've found. It has a small footprint and is very effective.

As for heaters, the Visi-Therm Series and Ebo Jager all are great quality with precise thermostats.

[roka64]

Here is an Aqua C for sale:
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=98623
I like the finnex because they are titanium, I had a Visi-Therm and the little silver circles scraped off, when I pulled out the heater to clean it.