New Hobbyist

[mcashflash]

I originally posted this info in the general reef forum, but I guess it goes here!
We just started our saltwater aquarium last October, and are loving it.

I do think that we need some help now.

Here is my tank set-up:
30 gallong tank
30 lbs Live rock
1 powerhead and one Koralia Aquarium Water Pump
2 Clownfish
2 Engineer Gobies that live in the rocks
1 tiny yellow Clown Goby
1 small Bicolor Blenny
1 small Six-line Wrasse
1 Bangaii Cardinal
15-20 hermit crabs
15 or so snails
1 chocolate chip Starfish
1 Emerald Crab
1 Spotted Porcelain Crab

Everything has been going fine, but I'm fairly certain that we now need a protein skimmer, but just don't know which one. I'm seeing more particles in the water, and its slightly yellowish. I think its due ot the number of fish, but they all look happy and healthy(except the starfish which I posted on in another forum). The water used to be chrystal clear after water changes, but I had both fewer fish, and a filter (which broke, and the store guy said we didn't need one due to the live rock so we didn't replace it)

Can anyone suggest a good hang-on protein skimmer without bio that's suitable for my small 30g tank?


Sorry for the long post! Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'll check my water levels tonight and post them here, my saltd is usually at the 0.023 range, and the temp at 81.

[jenglish]

For HOB octopus is the way to go IMHO, I run one on my 30 long. I only run 2 clowns in there though. The one I have is rated for 135 gallons but I only run one side to lessen the equipment in the tank. Octo makes some that just have and intake and have 2 pumps in the skimmer. It is no more equipment in the tank than a HOB filter. The yellowing may need carbon to cure though. I have a filter that hooks to a old powerhead that I occasionally run filter floss and carbon in to clean up the water now and then. What do your nitrates run at?

[Dragonist]

I would recommend running a skimmer also. How often are you doing water changes? By my count I'm calculating a total of 8 fish in you reef. I not a skimmer master as alot of the other trt members. But i commonly read the HOB octopus metioned.

[Loverotties]

Coralife is good too!

[mcashflash]

Originally Posted by jenglish

For HOB octopus is the way to go IMHO, I run one on my 30 long. I only run 2 clowns in there though. The one I have is rated for 135 gallons but I only run one side to lessen the equipment in the tank. Octo makes some that just have and intake and have 2 pumps in the skimmer. It is no more equipment in the tank than a HOB filter. The yellowing may need carbon to cure though. I have a filter that hooks to a old powerhead that I occasionally run filter floss and carbon in to clean up the water now and then. What do your nitrates run at?

Thanks, I think I'll go with a HOB Octopus. Do you have to empty it really often? My husband's like, get a skimmer that you only have to empty once a month....I don't think that exists