Yet another protein skimmer question

[daninct]

I have a 55gal FOWLR set up on a basic iron fish stand and floresent light. One of the LFS startup deals (all for only $150 so I figured what the heck). I am using an Emperor 400 filter, a power head for water movement. So far only 30 lbs of live rock and I have a few inches of CC substrate. Being a new set up of only 2 months I am still with just one yellow tail damsel and three blue/green chromis. Starting slow. I did add 4 red leg reef hermits to help with the clean up. After reading all the posts here I did run out and get a Protein Skimmer (servs up to 65 gal) but I did not remove the CC for LS.
My problem is the noise and the look. All the equipment hanging on the tank distracts from the display. Especially the skimmer with the large collection cup and the brown foam when it is doing its job. The air line also makes an annoying sound even with the so called silencer connected. (Yes, its a Coralife brand). The pump is quiet thanks to all the forum reading I did on this web site.
My wife really complained as it is in our family room with the TV So... I have since disconnected the skimmer and I am just running off the 400 filter. So far the tank looks the same and my numbers are all fine. I do know that the skimmer will remove non solid waste so what I see appears fine but there are things in the water just the same.
Question for the pro's... Does not runing a protein skimmer limit the fish I can select?

 

[crzyfshygy]

Use the skimmer and deal with the noise! Skimmers should be on salt tanks. Try cleaning the silencer with a toothpick in the holes. Do you have a sump? If so hang it on or put in the sump. I have one of those skimmers and they were really good.

 

[mikeyjer]

I would say, should of gotten a Aqua C Remora, much more quieter then the super skimmer and a lot smaller in size too!!! It's noisey at first when you get it started, but it will go away once it breaks in, Aqua C Remora, not the super skimmer. Your water will be much more clear if you run the skimmer, you won't notice it now because your tank is new, but once you let it run for a while, you WILL notice the difference. :happyfish

 

[unleashed]

prizm skimmers are also decent hang on type and are not noisy at all.if this is not a reef tank it should do the job.and no it will not limit your choice in stocking.using carbon filters will also help clear the water .but having a skimmer has its advantages even when the noise is a downside.

 

[chipmaker]

Try placing the air silencer device behind the tank itself, and put a piece of airline tube on it no longer than about 8" in length angled downward......If just a drop or two of water gets in the silencer it makes a gurgling noise until its all sucked out......which could take a few days. So just mount the silencer with the air line pointing down to the floor. All my CSS skimmers are super quiet......Brown foam in the cup is nothing to complain about..It means the skimmer is working...and unless you have a sump, virtually all skimmers are visible to some degree and its not all that much larger than the better hang on back types in regards to size...

 

[daninct]

Thank you all for the great advice. I will try the added line after the silencer but I will add a check valve. I don't want to creatae a syphon of sorts should I lose power.