Protein Skimmer?

[booger12]

Hey guys i was just wondering if i should buy a Protein skimmer or just an extra hang off the side filter
i was able to get 2 f8s for my 30 gal yeaturday (woot ) but i noticed today that they take big poops that doesnt really get cleaned up all the time by one filter and that when they eat they are really messy .

i was just wondering how i can get my water really clean would another filter dot he trick or shoudl i buy a protein skimmer

http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ct ... anoskimmer

http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ct ... owerfilter

heres a link of one that i might buy

thanks ! ill try to get pics of my tank and fish soon

[Pufferpunk]

Since F8s do best at low-end BW of 1.005 & skimmers are a waste <1.018, it would be useless to buy one.

[booger12]

kk thats what i was looking for thanks ^.^

[nmonks]

Going to slightly disagree with Jeni here; I've known aquarists who've got good service from skimmers down to about half-strength seawater, SG 1.010. Does depend on the strength of your air pump (or equivalent) since the key thing is that it's more difficult to make foam as salinity drops.

That said, a skimmer would be redundant with figure-8 puffers. Simple biological filtration, regular water changes, and perhaps the use of live plants should manage the nitrogen cycle perfectly well.

Cheers, Neale