Protein Skimmer Question

My reef starter tank has no protein skimmer. Paramaters are right on ...nitrates on the high side of the ideal range. I found several skimmers that are compact (and internal) @ $50-$70. Can anyone advise on this? The tank sits 5' from the floor ...tough to have an external. Or an alternative: Is anyone familiar with the Aquaripure Nitrate Filter-denitrator in place of the regular filter and skimmer? (Seems too good to be true). Thanks in advance for your input. =D

 

the tank has been setup for 3 years? and whats the size is 29 gal? just goin off of ur sig. if it is current which i'm assuming it is but i was going to say u could get an internal skimmer possibly which I see quite a few people like the Aquatic Life Internal Mini protein skimmer 115 which can be found here

http://www.3reef.com/forums/3reef-radar/aquatic-life-internal-mini-protein-skimmer-115-a-58383.html

or you can go in the direction of something like a Tunze nano skimmer which I've always heard good things about if you got the funds for that & it works for tanks up to 52 gal & if thats a lil pricey u could try the aquatic life. Some people dont run a skimmer on smaller tanks if they stay up on water changes and parameters but personally I ran one on my 29 gal when I had one. Hope this helps! =)

 

I'm not sure about those denitrators , but I have used this biomedia with very good results.

Check this out... Excellent Nitrate Media

 

Having a skimmer is a must, still, IMO...