ive narrowed it down to 2, Please help me decide

[sloth54]

I will either add another emperor 400 to my tank, or a seclone 100 protien skimmer. Which do you recommend? I currently am running 1 emperor 400, and a 201 powerhead in the FO tank. Thanks

 

[sandman12]

I would say the skimmer, but then again its FO,what about a skilter?

 

[joemack]

I would say the skimmer but I dont know too much. I use the E400 on my 40 gallon and my $15 ---- powerhead skimmer. Both seem to be working great. I clean my filter pads once a week and there is "gunk" on it and my skimmer is skimming. Just my 2 cents.

 

[leopard_babe]

I would say the skimmer. It gets out all kinds of gross things.

 

[dacia]

I vote skimmer. There's stuff that filters just don't remove but protein skimmers do. Either choice will help you water, but I believe that the skimmer will help more since you already have a good filter.

 

[sloth54]

is it worht the extra 13 bucks to upgrade from a seaclone 100 to 150?

 

[squidd]

Get the skimmer, it'll help your emperor/filtration system by removeing things the biowheels/carbon alone can't.
Kind of a one two punch rather than a one one.

 

[armageddon]

I would pay 13 dollers to upgrade to a 150, but it depends on the type and size of system. There might be no need to upgrade.

 

[ophiura]

Absolutely the skimmer.
How much Live Rock or other biological filtration do you have? Hopefully more than just the biowheels on the Emperor?

 

[rgaquarist]

WOW! No doubt about it! Get the absolute best protein Skimmer you can afford! Do not cheap out. Do a little research on your skimmer options and get some opinions on the the protein skimmer that interests you. It's best to call the thread SeaClone Skimmer opinions and do the same for each or just start a thread called best protein Skimmer for under $___ .__ and put your maximim dollar amount there. This will help you get the most for your money.
The best thing to do would be to get a good skimmer and a few MaxiJet 1200s to really move that water around because anything that settles on the substrate will not be processed by the filter or protein skimmer. Water that moves will be very helpful in getting undesirable organics out of your aquarium.

 

[marvida]

Skimmer. If you can save a little more get the best skimmer you can afford, this is the classic case of "you get what you pay for". IMO a Seaclone is a decent skimmer. If you have room get the 150. If you've got a bit more $ go for a CPR Bak Pak, yada, yada, yada. While a skimmer might pick out some floating debris, they primarly remove dissolved organics, so the detrius that settles to the sand will be processed. Anyway that's what the sand critters are for (not to discount the need for good water movement).
Good hunting!

 

[aarone]

another vote for skimmer!

 

[cool clown]

Go with the skimmer. I had two E400 on my tank replaced one with a red sea prizm pro and it made a huge difference. Plus there is no pads to buy.

 

[vman181]

I have a SC 150 for my 55 and it was the best thing I ever did for my tank
V