good HOB skimmer?
 

What's a good HOB skimmer for say... a 30g+ bioload?

here are some I've found.

http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/skimmers.php?product_ID=DD-P0300
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/details/skimmers.php?product_ID=ps-bp2r

It'll be for a 30g tank with a 30g sump/fuge. I think the backpack would be enough. how much does water a rising/falling water level affect these HOB skimmers?

They run faily independant of water levels.

Go with the MCE300 if you can afford it. If not, go with the AquaC Remora instead of the BakPak. The water level will not affect the MCE300 but could affect the AquaC Remora if you have the overflow/bubble eliminator. (a worthy add-on might I add)

I have the AquaC Remora. Works awesome and have never had any issues with it. We do have the overflow/ bubble elimanator. It gives us about an inch between high water and not enough before it runs dry.

U have a 30g sump, so why the need for a HOB skimmer? Most in-sump skimmers are superior to HOB types. (This I know from personal experience with both)

While I personally haven't used one, I've read several great reviews of the Tunze DOC skimmers. The 9005 is a HOB while the 9010 works as both a HOB or in-sump but is more powerful. The 9010 will be my next skimmer upgrade (over my current Red Sea Berlin Classic)

I just purchased the 9010, Andrew. Should be here today. Like you, I read every thread available on them for the last year. It will go "in", my sumpless 90.

I Would really appreciate hearing your thoughts and opinions on the new skimmer once you receive it and set it up. And perhaps a more thorough review after a week or two of running it?

For sure. I have run a couple of different needle wheels, several becketts and all the usual ones we first go through, so I should have a decent comparison value.

A sump is just not the best for my current situation, so this seemed the best solution. {I hope}. Have yet to see a thread voicing dissapointment with the skimmer.

I've had the 9010 up and running "in" my 100 gallon tank for about a week and a half now. So far I absolutely love it. It's quiet, easy to set up (less than ten minutes from box to tank), pulls a good amount of nice stinky dark green crud from the water and did I say quiet? Overall I'm pretty pleased!!