In my 180 gallon aquarium i use a fluval surface skimmer-i think the trick is to use it in conjunction with a canister filter--it will clear up surface proteins quickly.
I tried the same thing in a 66 gallon,but a fluval surface skimmer hooked up to an aqua clear( hang on back filter)---just not the same.I know people have these because of finances but these type of filters rate of bypass are horrible--the path of least resistance is taken over the media and around the intake tube at the top--i might as well filter the water using an egg beater.
I think a good way of telling if you are getting good surfaces skimming is by seeing how quickly air bubbles from an airpump are released at the surface--because of the stronger surface tension caused by the proteins--air bubbles seem to carry across the surface of the aquarium longer instead of popping into the atmosphere.