having run my tank both skimmerless and with a skimmer I would have to say use a skimmer.
Some one said "soft corals like a skimmerless system" thats a pretty bold statment and full of bunk. I had the best growth and color with a skimmer running from all my corals, even my softies. as a bonus it was cheaper in the long run to have the skimmer as instead of changing 20 to 50% of the water ever week, I did a 15% change once a month. without the skimmer I had algae breakouts (especialy hair) with it ... not even worth mentioning.
I think the trick is "Ballance" some people like working on there tank every week, I personaly like looking at it and maybe cleaning the glass once and a while, with one day a month where I spend a couple hours cleaning and such. a lot of firstimers who rush to get a tank going and can't aford a skimmer fail because they either can't or won't devote the time that a skimmerless tank takes. Then you see cheep stuff for sale.
I recomend if nothing else, buy a skimmer. It is by far the most important piece of "tech" equipment on your tank, well aside from lighting.
Steve
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*everything said above is just my opinion, and may or may not reflect the views of this BBS, its Operators, and its Members. If cornered on any “opinion” I post I will totally deny having ever said this in a Court of Law…Unless I am the right one*
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