Need new filter! Need Recommendations ASAP

if you already have a skimmer then i wouldn't even worry about a hob filter. just get some power heads to move the water around in the tank and let the live rock do you bio filtering.

most people use a fuge to grow some type of macro algae, the macro uses nutrients from the water then you harvest some of the macro and export the nutrients. it kind of does the same thing as a skimmer but in a different way

 

ebay has alot of fuge(s) for about $40 + shipping

many different sizes also

 

I'm with the live rock proponents.
While a skimmer certainly helps out new set ups and makes husbandry errors more forgiving, it's not the most needed item for a successful tank.
QUALITY live rock is the best filtration you can have IMO. The lightest, most porous rock works best as you need less of it than if you use heavy live rock or heavy base rock.
With a very light bio-load as you have at the moment, you could get by with a total of 1 lb of QUALITY live rock per gal, and increase to 1.5 lbs per gal as the bio -load increases when you add a/some fish.
While I have had a lot of systems over the years, (plenum, pre-filtered reverse flow undergravel, shallow sand bed, deep sand bed, and hydrids of these as well) I switched back years ago to my original preference, bare bottom berlin method. (lots of live rock and heavy protein skimming, nothing else)
ALL of my tanks have live rock, and no other filtration, some using the home made skimmers, some have sumps, but that's it.
Occasionally I would use carbon for a few days at a time to clear up "yellow" water, but I wouldn't use it full time.
(KISS principle - keep it simple st---)

 

Well my filter has made it this long and hasnt completely died, but I do not want to risk it going compleltely out. I do not have the cash to add 50 more pounds of LR at one time so I am going to get the Penguin 350 unless anyone knows of anything thats better/cheaper lol.. I think its like 35 bucks at petco.
I am a fan of mechanical filtration and this one will actually have that plus biological,plus places to put phos zorb and things like that. it will also move alot more water than my current filter... any last opinions? leaving work at 5 and will be buying it shortly after. speak now or .. ya whatever

 

I like the Emperor 400 HOB filter. I have 2 of them running on a 75 gallon tank and i couldnt be happier with them. Good prices at DR Fosters and Smith.

 

So I didnt end up getting it because it was flooing over here in my parts.
I have been reading more and have always heard of 3 hob filters compared
Penguin 350
Emporor 400
Aquaclear 110

Penguin seems fairly priced, emporor seems to be about 10-15 more and I'm not sure about the aquaclear but I have always thought of those as a cheaply made filter.. anyone 1 person have more than one of these to offer comparison?

 

as for HOB filters, emperor 400, good for upto 80g, and it comes with bio wheels plus filter pads plus an extra piece for customizing.