Protien skimmer or HOB filter

[Relaxoreef]

I am looking for some advice.

I am in the equipment purchasing stage of a tank build. Currently I have:

40 gallon breeder
T5HO with 150wt MH fixture

Plans for the tank are some corals, zoanthids. Anemone down the road. Light stocking of fish and inverts.

As far as filtration, I would like to go the route of LR and LS and powerheads. I have no desire for a sump. I am not against adding a HOB filter or a skimmer for better water quality. That's where I am looking for advice. Benefits of one over the other for this type of system? LFS advised a hob filter, or go the route of a mini refugium (hob). No mention of a protien skimmer.

Regular water changes will be done, as well as parameters checked.

Thanks for your time.

[Captain smoke]

I currently have a 60 gal no sump and using a HOB filter with Carbon and a HOB Eshopps skimmer with LR and LPS with 6 small fish. I would say get both the skimmer will help get the water impurities out and the HOB filter will get large stuff