Wanna change from FOWLR to reef

damsels can be problems (except for chromis) down the road when they get big as they will pick on other more expensive fish.. FYI

10" to 12" inches of fish for 55g MAX.

be ready to spend over $1000.00 for this conversion.. at least you have live rock already.. what kind of filter/skimmer are you using right now? any pics.. this will help us to lead you in the right direction.. on which things you can slowly buy now and what you can wait on... the T5 lights probly going to be your first purchase.. what lights do you have now? t8 t12? watts?

 

I am currently using an AquaC Remora w the maxi-jet 1200 and the optional skimmer box, Eheim professional wet and dry filter with 2 media trays, Corallife 10,000K lights in a standard fixture

 

Well if you don't wanna buy a new skimmer I think that would do fine for the tank. I have the same skimmer on my tank and I have never had problems with water quality and I have a pritty heavy bioload. You could always just get a larger pump for it and use it in your sump. You could somehow figure out how to make it suitable to be in the sump but if you had it hang on the back your sump would half to be almost full so you wouldn't have any forgiveness if your return failed.