Can I Go Without A Protein Skimmer?

[lyotim88]

So i've recently decided to go marine with my empty 55gal. I still have much research to do but it won't be set up for quite a few months as it is. I'm going to go for a FOWLR setup. So anyway, my LFS has a marine biologist who works there and he was saying you could go without using a protein skimmer..something about using a filter sock in the sump? Is this true? Has anybody done this? What size sump should i be using, i was thinking maybe 20-25 gallons? Can anybody maybe give me a list of things ill need to start this whole tank up. I plan on using at least 1lb/gallon of live rock, so that should be sufficient for biological filtration, right? I feel overwhelmed right now, so i apologize if this is disorganized but i do appreciate any help you guys can offer. Thank you, Tim

 

[ben1987]

You can run without a skimmer, i did for a short while. Then when i added it...wow what a difference they make. The water was much clearer, corals looked 100X better, i could get more fish in. When you see how much work they do, you will know its worth buying. Deffinatly reccomended.

List

Tank
Sump - go as big as you can
Heater
Lights
Powerheads to make 20X 55gal/hour
Return pump to send water back from sump
Plumbing bits to connect sump
Salt
Test kits
RO water preferably
Sand
Live rock

Think thats it

 

[rabbut]

Though sumps aren't essential either Get one if you can, they are highly recomended

 

[Straydum]

for a tank size of 55g, i would say its better to have a sump though i won't say too much on the skimmer. i personally run skim less (for now) though ben's point is something that should be taken into account and applied

 

[BigC]

Whilst you can run a marine aquarium skimmerless and without a sump, IMO the benefits gained from haveing both these installed are great.
I'm a firm believer in the sump and skimmer line of thought
Regards
BC

 

[SkiFletch]

In a FO tank you can surely get away without one. You just have to make sure you get really low-powered lighting to prevent algae blooms.