still in need of knowledge

I have only been doing altwater aquariums for 1.5yrs my only source of info is my brother who i dont always trust and my LFS who often gives me contradicting information....
So to the point I recently obtained a 65 gallon(will be reef tank) have started the cycle with a light amount of life in the tank(2 clowns and an Arrow crab had a bristle worm issue). Also in the tank is about 25lbs of live rock hope to add more soon or some dead rock. I am running a penguin 350 filter and intend to buy a different filter based on answers to questions...
-1 I want to add a refugium and have decided making my own is exceptable and am curious if a 10gallon deep sand bed with seaclone 100 skimmer will be acceptable for the size tank?
-2 Being as I will have a refugium how much extra filtration will I be needing(would an Eheim 2075 and the refugium w/skimmer be adequate or can you just use the Refugium)?
-3 Also if I added bio-balls to the refugium do I need a filter?
Basically I dont want to blow $300 on a filter if the refugium makes it non-essential...

 

A 20-30g tank would be a better size sump. Seaclones aren't very good skimmers from what I've heard. A big refugium with a nice skimmer, lots of flow in the main tank, and lots of rock is the best filtration you can get. I would run a filter sock though. Oh and no bioballs- they're old technology and can lead to issues long term.

 

Thanks for the info. what would be some better/recomended skimmers for a 65gal reef tank for in sump use? That wont break the bank...
Also I guess i should add that i have a 4Bulb 39w each T-5 light the main tank is 23in deep. And does that mean that with a better skimmer and refugium and filter sock that you can go without a filter?

 

Check into the coralife skimmers. The 65 model is usually found for around $100 and works well. My buddy is using one on a 70 reef with great results. Try to stay away from any canister filters. They can be huge nitrate factories if not maintained constantly. Your best filtration is always your rock. If you have a good amount of rock, flow, and a sump/refugium you won't need other filtration. A filter sock can also be a nitrate factory so be careful with that as well. I keep one if the sandbed gets stirred up or the tank etc and I need some fine filtration but only leave it on for a week max. Are you planning on drilling this tank or do and overflow box?

 

Planning on doing an overflow box as I wouldnt know where to go to get it drilled and wouldnt want to risk cracking the tank or messing the drilling up. Thanks for the advice

 

I really like my AquaMaxx HOB-1 skimmer. I got it for $100 on craigslist. It is rated for 50-75 gallons. I have 6 T5 bulbs on my 37g reef, which is 20" tall and thriving. That amount of light is fine, but if you are planning on adding SPS, that is not enough IME

The fuge is the filter. Along with the rock and sand. Just make sure you have a lot of flow. I used to have a filter when I first started, and bioballs. One day I just got rid of them and within a week my nitrates dropped 10 ppm. Filter socks are like filters, make sure you keep it clean if you decide to go with that. I don't have one, a stable system can do without.. You would be better off filling up that fuge with macroalgae and inverts. Less maintenance, more efficient.
Many people just give away macroalgae like chaeto. I throw mine over my fire escape into the grass, YES it grows that fast.

+1 to the bioballs comment.

Lol I think most of our banks are already broken around here... It is a good idea to get the better equipment used on ebay or craigslist.