re: protein skimmers

[rica5tully]

I need a skimmer for a 55 gallon and I'm new to marine (although I've kept freshwater for some time).

My budget isn't huge and I've heard good things about CPR BakPak2. Does anyone have any comments on whether they're any good? Any other recommendations?

Thanks!

[BrianH]

Do you have a sump or do you need a HOT skimmer?

[rica5tully]

No, I won't have a sump. I was just planning on using a lot of rocks and a canister filter. I was looking for a reasonably priced hang-on-the-back skimmer.

[BrianH]

The Bak Pak is a good skimmer. If your willing to spend some more I would recommend the Aqua C Remora Pro.

Brian

[rica5tully]

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll look into it.

I was wondering if I had enough rock in my tank, if I could just use a CPR BAK PAK 2 (with some bio media in it) and that would be my only filtration (maybe a powerhead for water flow).

[BrianH]

I don't know how efficient the bio filtration is on the Bak Pak 2. If you buy 55lbs or more of LR and have a deep sand bed those two items will handle your bio filtration needs. Are you planning a fish only tank or a reef?

Brian

[rica5tully]

A fish only tank.

Live rock is so expensive...I'm on a tight budget so I was going to cheat and put in tufa rock (which is really pourous). It won't be as pretty, but I figure after the tank cycles it'll be "live" enough.
I thought that 55 lbs. of tufa rock and a CPR would be sufficient.

What do you think?

[BrianH]

I would seed the tuffa rock with some LR. Check online, LR prices are a lot cheaper online than at your LFS. I like www.gulf-view.com (http://) . Are you planning to use a DSB?

Brian