canister filter or protein skimmer?

Ok folks Christmas is coming and am trying to figure out if i want to get a canister filter or a hob protien skimmer. I and why come lol I have a36 gallon bowfront with 50 or so pounds live rock a 2 to 2 1/2 inch 3 in some areas live sand about 10 snails one clown fish one clown goby one orange speotted goby one three stripe damsal and a neon dottyback also have a emperor 400 for water movement and also a power head 660 on the opposite end looking to get some more shrimp soon and anemone also coral beauty possibly

 

Definitely the protein skimmer. Much less maintenance and, usually, more performance.

 

I second Mike- get the skimmer. What it removes is completely separated from the water and becomes harmless. Detritus trapped in filter media still breaks down and dumps dissolved organics into your tank, fueling Nitrate production. A canister (or any other mechanical filter) can be used, but they require frequent cleaning.

 

Skimmer x100

Canisters suck. On a daily basics I have to change media in canister filters at work... *cringes*

 

Ok well that def settles that lol. Have any of you guys used a hob skimmer and of yes what kind of results you were getting

 

I've used Coralife and SWCSkimmers' hang-on units. Both worked very well, and I've also heard really good things about the AquaC line.

 

Definitely not the canister - go with the skimmer. I currently have a Reef Octopus hang on skimmer and it seems to work really well (when it doesn't overflow ) that's not on the skimmer, that's operator error

 

I never had good luck with the corallife as a HOB, I would look at Reef Octopus. I used two of them after upgrading from the terrible time I had with corallife super skimmer 65's

 

Same here. No luck with a Coralife SS65. I replaced it with an Eshopps PSK-75H (I also have a 100H for another tank) and am 1,000 times happier with it!

 

I'd rather go filter-less than use a canister lol.