What Kind Of Protein Skimmer Should I Get?

[philgmiami]

I HAVE A 55G TANK WITH A RIO 2100 TO MY WET -DRY SYSTEM..I ALSO HAVE FOR LIGHTING A 4TUBE LIGHTING SYSTEM 4X65W 2 WHITE AND 2 LIGHT BLUE WITH MOON BEAMS AND FAN. THE LIGHTING SYSTEM HAS 4 PLUGS, WOOOOW.. A PROTEIN SKIMMER IS NEXT ON MY LIST...... ILL BE PICKING ONE UP THIS WEEKEND.... SOMEONE TOLD ME TO GET ONE FOR MY WET-DRY,BUT.. I DONT MIND HANGING ONE ON THE BACK OF MY 55G.. THE ONE FOR THE WET-DRY IS LIKE $160. THE ONE THAT GOES ON THE BACK OF TANK IS LIKE $109.. WHICH ONE IS BETTER? ARE THEY THE SAME? IS IT JUST ON A LOOKS PREFERANCE?..
ALSO MY WATER FLOW:.. I HAVE A RIO 2100 PUMP .IT PUTS OUT SOME NICE CURRENT IN MY TANK.. IS THAT ENOUGH?... SHOULD I T-OFF THE ONE LINE TO MY RIO 2100 AND ADD ANOTHER RETURN, SOO I HAVE CURRENT FROM BOTH SIDES OF TANK? DOES IT MATTER?
MY TANK IS STILL GOING THROUGH ITS CYCLE, I HAVE ALOT OF BROWN, GREEN AND EVEN A PURPLISH ALGE ON THE BACK WALL OF TANK.. IVE NOTICED, ITS GOTN EVEN WORSE WITH MY NEW LIGHTING.. THE LIGHTING BE4 WAS WHAT CAME WITH THE TANK KIT, JUST ONE 48' FLORECENT.I KEEP MY LIGHTING ON 8 TO 10 HRS A DAY.. FROM 4PM TO 12AM
LIVE STOCK IN TANK: AVARAGE WATER TEMP: 78 TO 82
60 POUNDS LS
40 POUNDS DEAD ROCK
20 POUNDS LR
1-BLUE DEMZAL
1. LIME GREEN FILE FISH
CYCLE---- 6TH WEEK INTO CYCLE
CURRENT TEMP AFTER 10 HRS OF LIGHTING 80

AMMONIA 2.5

PH BETWEEN 7.7 & 8.0
NITRITE 0.8
SAL 1.025

 

[boomper]

If possible, you might want to consider spending the extra $50 and getting an Aqua C. Most people will recommend this protein skimmer, and it is probably the most important piece of equipment you will buy.
I use ithis skimmer on my 29g and it works amazingly, I am very satisfied.

 

[adrock16]

I love my hang on the back cpr! I have only had one problem and that was I broke my pump. Very good skimmer. They are a little pricey but well worth it.

 

[robchuck]

Coralife has a new line of protein skimmers called Super Skimmers that are getting rave reviews. They can be used as either HOB or insump skimmers, and the model rated up to 65 gallons can be had for less than $100.

 

[madison]

IMO...the bigger the better (in this case) HOB skimmers can only be so big...it can only provide a certain amount of space for the water to "skim"...it's been proven that the more "skimming" action the more junk it can remove.
IMO again...I prefer the under tank skimmers with a taller column for more agressive skimming action.
I have a G3 for my 180g and a G5 for my 300g