29 Gallon Protein Skimmer suggestions

[Ceej.O]

Hey guys,
I have a 29 gallon tank with 3 Blue-Green Chromis, and 2 Common Clownfishes
I'm not sure about the amount of LR I have in terms of lbs., but I have 4 slabs and 1 Non-LR.
I'm pretty much a beginner, but I've doing lots of research to try and keep up

My tank's 3 weeks old, and I have had brown algae growing in my tank, which I think are called diatoms?
I bought 6 Red Banded Trochus snail to maintain the brown in my tank, and they've done a pretty good job so far.

Water readings are 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrites, and Nitrates are always around 10-20mg/L after a week (probably why the brown algae are growing), and around 5-10mg/L after a partial water change.
In the near future, I'm planning to get a bubble tip anemone for my clownfishes and some corals, and I know that my nitrate levels would most likely...err murder them. I've been reading about how protein skimmers are necessary to correctly maintain the nitrate levels for corals and what not.
There's one that caught my attention, and the company's been mentioned and praised in the forums a bunch of times so I decided I would to take a peek at their products. Here's the protein skimmer:
Remora Hang-On
Let me know what you guys think, and I would appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks a lot

-Ceej

Edit: Just realized I posted on the wrong place. Sorry (

[reeferguru]

As for the size of your tank and the problems often encountered between corals and Anemones, it is not a good idea to mix them together. Either have corals or an Anemone to host your Clown, though that is not always a guarantee.
Protein skimmers are a great investment, though not critical for the success of a marine aquarium. I have maintained a 75 and currently a 14 gallon Biocube without the employment of protein skimmer. I have had continued success in, doing this, complete with corals, fish and invertebrates. Now, having said this, I do not want to portray the notion that protein skimmers are not a beneficial piece of equipment. Protein skimmers help to remove harmful contaminants, toxins, dissolved organics and inorganics and pollutants just to name a few, plus they help to add dissolved oxygen to your water.
Performing weekly water changes can help provide many of these benefits associated with a protein skimmer, but think of a protein skimmer as an insurance policy.
Ok, now as for the Aqua C Remora skimmer, I own the Aqua C Remora and EV-180 and have had continued success and swear by Aqua C and the price is comporable to other skimmer brands on the market.
Protein skimmers only represent part of the answer to the equation of providing the ideal scenario of creating and maintaining a successful aquarium.

[Flyboy450r]

I agree with reeferguru but if you have your heart set on one I have the remora c with the maxi jet 1200 and its unbelievable its well spent money. I would get the over flow and te drain cup though. Just my two sents.

[Ceej.O]

Thanks for the replies!

I guess I'll have to stick with anemones, then.
I was just worried that my nitrate levels would kill anemones, and I'm not so certain what the proper nitrate levels are for anemones anyways. Which made me look at protein skimmers, so I could bring the nitrate levels down.
reeferguru you said that you have corals and inverts without a protein skimmer? Does that mean they can tolerate some degree of nitrates? If so, how much? What do you do exactly to control your nitrate levels?

I perform weekly water changes but the nitrate level buildup over the week tends to become high, so I'm worried about that, too if I was ever to get anemones. But then again I don't know what the proper levels are for anemones.

So I don't know if I should get a protein skimmer just to be completely certain.

Thanks again
-Ceej

[reeferguru]

Sorry for not responding to you sooner!
Nitrates can be kept in check performing weekly water changes, not overfeeding or dosing liquid foods/vitamins and through either biological, chemical and mechanical filtration, or any combination of those forms. Water changes will reduce your nitrate levels the fastest as dillution is the answer to pollution, nitrates, phosphates dissolved and particulate organics.

Inverts, corals and fish, depending on the species can tolerate varying nitrate levels. Nitrates are the least toxic of the nitrogen cycle with Ammonia NH3 being the most toxic then nitrites and so on. Nitrates are more closely tied to algae growth, both Micro and Macro forms. With elevated nitrate levels, this can spur the outbreak of unwanted microalgae, especially. Lighting, water flow and filtration(or lack thereof) to some degree, can also impact algae growth.

Now to throw a monkey wrench into the equation, many animals that may live in your tank consume nitrates (food source). Certain Corals, Tridacna Clams, bacteria, Flame Scallops, Sponges and Tunicates, to name a few.

I guess the best thing I can say is to find a common ground, so to speak, find that fine line between too much and enough as far as nitrates are concerned.
Tom

[Leetch]

Wow, glad I checked here as I was about to ask a similar question. I have a 29 gal tank as well with just about 30lb live rock, 1 clown, 2 firefish and a blennie (oh yeah and Bob the Bubbke Tip anemone). The tank is 5 months old. My water just can't quite get the slight milky haze out of it. All indicators are within tolerable levels (no ammonia to speak of, PH a bit high around 8.6).

I looked last night through the top as I was feeding them and saw what looked like an oily film on the top of the water. My local Deuce Bigalow said it's most likely nutrients and such not being cleaned by mech filter and a protein skimmer should help clear that up. He actually suggested check Craig's List instead of the store to save some money.

I did buy a gravel vac to clean off the top of the sand bed to see if that helps but am questioning whether or not I need a skimmer. Water flow is good also as I have 2 small jets running and I can't find any detectable dead spots in the tank.

[Original Fin]

What kind of lighting are you using? Do you plan to upgrade at any point? If so, it's probably better IMO to spend your $ here first. Keep in mind that making drastic lighting changes can cause coraline bleaching, and algae blooms, so start witha very short photo period and slowly increase it over the next few weeks. I made the mistake of not doing this, and ended up with an algae bloom and a mini cycle...
Regarding protein skimmers, I assume you are talking about hang on the back styles since you are looking at the Remora, right?
I purchased a HOB myself for my 55 about two months after startup. I got a CPR Aeroforce, and I've been happy with it except for a couple things...

1. Clear acrylic design causes algae growth, so I have to clean it a little more often than I'd like. The remora is smoked acrylic...better.
2. The CPR's intake is a couple inches under the surface, so it isn't the best at skimming the very top strata. I think the remora is similar, which is why having a sump is the way to go as far as protein skimmers are concerned. Without a skimmer and/or good surface agitation, you'll get that oily film on top, and I've read that it can inhibit gas exchange...to what degree, I'm not sure.
3. The skimmer cup is too small and doesn't have any way to overflow to a larger container. I was able to drill and mount a threaded elbow to accomplish this.
4. Dialing in the amount of skimmate produced has been chalenging. I tend to get a LOT of wet skimmate if I go with the manufactureres recomendation to keep the collection cup 1/8" below the water line. I suppose too much is better than not enough though.

Good luck!

[jaybroreef]

Hey guys, just thought I would throw my 2 cents in about anemones. I would suggest, from years of experience to keep your tank up and running for MONTHS before I try an anemone. Im lucky cause I got a wonderful reefer friend who has a huge tank totally devoted to rose and green bubble tips. they constantly split and he has an enormous supply of them. ibought one baby one from him for 15 dollars.( yea baby). Ive had him about 2 years now and he has tripled in size, and has a wonderful couple of clowns living with him. I know this is sort of off the subject, but get an anemone, unending source of joy for this old guy!!! GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

[twisted]

my advice is that if i were you, i wouldnt add anything in the near future. at this point your tank should really just have live rock, sand and water. for a nem, your tank should have matured for at least 8 months to a year. they need good water conditions and good tank habits that take a while to learn. let your tank settle in and finish going through the cycle. do alot more research and practice patience. your tank buddies will thank you for it
oh, welcome to ReefLand!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jaybroreef]

Well said, my friend!!!