First tank - must have skimmer?

I'm starting my first salt water tank, its only a 37 bowed. It's also tempered, so I can't drill it.

Question is:
I want it to be a FOWLR tank, do I really need to have a sump and protein skimmer?

Whats the minimum for filtration with this tank, will live sand and live rock be enough. I don't even really need a whole lot of fish, maybe just 3 or 4 at this point, so I think nitrates should stay a little lower (less food and less waste - yes?).

I am not trying to 'cheap-skate' this, but I just know if I can get started inexpensively, then my wife will be more on board. She loves the FW we have now and I just know she would be totally hooked on the SW. I am just in awe that you can basically have a self contained eco-system right in your front room!

-Thanks

Also, I've only been on 3reef for about a week and this is the most awesome site I have ever seen, the amount of information and honest opinoins are invaluable. It is so important for us newbies to be able to draw on the experiences and knowledge of people who have been at this for a while.

 

I have a 120gal FOWLR tank and a 55gal FOWLR, they both are fine with no skimmer, but the 55gal I plan on getting a skimmer for because the smaller tank is just more difficult to keep clean, its really all up to.

 

So what kind of skimmer do you have? i mean, is it just a hang on skimmer? I have an extra emperor 400 bio-wheel, but have been told that I don't really need that one. Also, what about aeration? I have and undergravel filter in my FW tank, but with live sand, nothing goes under the sand, right?

 

Keep in mind that fish give off the most bio load over any other livestock. I think that if you have enough LR and LS and a good chemical filter, you should be fine, but it wouldnt hurt to have a skimmer. You should see all the stuff that a skimmer gets out of the water.

 

Skimmerless is fine, you don't even have to have a sump.

The more heavily you stock the more you may need the added filtration.

My 29 has neither sump/fuge or skimmer. 2 fish, some snails, and a couple mushrooms. I couldn't be happier with it the way it is. Good circulation is very benificial.

 

Ok, been to one lfs, not impressed with the fish and tanks there, thinking I'll find another to be my main store. I asked them about lighting for my 37g bowed. They said that if I wasn't going to do any coral - FOWLR only - that I could get away with the flourescent that came with the hood for now, but that I would have to get some real lights if I ever wanted coral.

Comments?

 

This sounds about right, Some people will use different colour bulbs with F/O tanks to bring out the coulors in their fish I cant remember the exact bulb name but its like a sun bulb or somthink and it will bring out the yellows in your fish but for sure you dont need to run out and buy M/H for a F/O tank

 

I've never used a skimmer or a sump, my tank just is not big enough to warrant a sump, and i think skimmers are to big and ugly to use on a main display. But my tank has always been fine

 

I dont know what you guys mean by FOWLR. Is it just a style? Or a certain system setup?
I might even know what it is, just not familiar with the term.
PS. I would rather ask you guys than going on a google search. I just have a feeling that the Reefers here can explain better =]