Protein skimmer or HOB filter

[FishyFish]

I have a 30 gallon tank, currently FOWLR but I want to eventually work my way up to SPS. I've been using a HOB filter but it seems like everyone else around here uses skimmers. I was thinking about picking up a little Aquatic Life HOB mini skimmer. If I do, should I remove the HBO filter and just run the skimmer or should I run both?

 

[AdamNC]

Run both. You can use the filter to catch big stuff floating and as a place to hold media like carbon or Purigen.

 

[McFly]

I'd run both, use the HOB for media or floss. Also those AL mini skimmers are too small to perform well, the smallest I would go is the reef octopus HOB skimmer, or a similar clone. I used the AquaMaxx version for a while and liked it.

 

[FishyFish]

Run both. You can use the filter to catch big stuff floating and as a place to hold media like carbon or Purigen.

Thanks! Now that I think about it, I do get a ton of cat hair in my tank haha! I'll leave the filter in to take care of that.

I'd run both, use the HOB for media or floss. Also those AL mini skimmers are too small to perform well, the smallest I would go is the reef octopus HOB skimmer, or a similar clone. I used the AquaMaxx version for a while and liked it.

Thanks! That one is unfortunately well outside of my budget for the time being. I just added a new pump and set up a QT tank so my budget for this month is already shot. I'll do some more research and maybe hold off until next month for a bigger skimmer.

 

[Pntbll687]

You don't need either to have a successful tank that size.

I have a 20 long in my office and it runs with nothing more than a maxi-jet 1200 to provide flow, and a small sponge on the intake. I have lps and plating montipora in the tank. With sps it's gonna be more about flow and light, but consistent water changes should keep nutrients in line. I change 5g a week, and it takes about 15min with cleaning the glass and siphoning detritus.

I'm planning a new 180 build, and I'm contemplating not running a skimmer, just some filter socks and lots of flow.

Don't get caught up in the equipment race and "needing" this and "needing" that. Maintain quality water, and if you have a problem like high phosphate for example, find out why, not just throw things at the tank until it comes down.

For reference, check out the video below. World Wide Corals runs a large tank with lps and sps with no skimmer.