Bio-wheel versus Protein Skimmer in Marine Tank HELP

[krazedkazoo]

Hello! I am starting my first saltwater tank and have heard tons of different things about protein skimmers. I have a 40 gallon breeder tank. I am currently cycling water through the tank and preparing it for live rock and sand. There are two biowheel filters hanging on the tank. Do biowheels make protein skimmers ineffective? Do I need a protein skimmer with two biowheels? Which is more important to have; protein skimmers or biowheels?

Thanks in advance for any and all help. I'm just a college kid who's low on money and trying to make this tank the most effective I can without spending too much extra cash or having to do way more water changes than necessary because of conflicting equipment.

 

[BlackShark11k]

Protein skimmers should be used in pretty much all
marine tanks, biowheels are up to you. A biowheels won't make the skimmer ineffective, and you can use both if you want

 

[chesterthehero]

they are two verry different things with different functions that are both related to filtration...

so yer sorta asking if you should use a weedwacker to trim the edge of you lawn since you use a hose to water it..

 

[krazedkazoo]

Thanks so much for your help. I'm glad I got some clarification.