What order should I add these?

Well, adding it later will have the tank running that much longer without one filtering, so my guess would just be to get one as soon as youd like. But at the same time my tank has been running since march, and I just got my skimmer about 3 weeks ago (I know I know).

 

What kind of skimmer are you looking at? Are you running a sump or do you need one to be a HOB (hang on back)?

 

I do not have a sump - can't do it logistically. So I'll be looking at HOB.

I am not looking at any particular skimmer yet. That was my next thing. Once I figured out the order, I was going to start asking about that. So, I'm all ears!

One of my questions is water flow on them. I'll have about 1800 gph once my powerheads are in (assuming these filter specs are correct, which I doubt), so for a 40x turnover, I need another 400 gph or so. Wondering if a skimmer is anywhere in that ball park.

I've read on 3reef that "octopus skimmers" are good - but I have no clue as to what I need to run. I want something that's easy to use/clean (don't we all). If it makes any difference, I'd rather clean it from the left side of my tank.

 

I have a octopus, and I love it! It works great, is easy to clean, and is nice and quiet.
From what I understand from reading reviews, I would stay away from CPR, SeaClone, or Jebo's.
As for flow, I am not too sure, but I dont know of any HOB skimmers that flow 400gph. Mine is rated for a 90 gallon tank and flows 225, so 400 seems like quite a bit for a HOB skimmer. You could always add another small power head down the road.
If your interested, I wrote up a decent review of my Octopus, and its from my view of never owning a skimmer before either, so I hope it might help you out. You can check it out here: http://http://www.3reef.com/forums/protein-skimmers/user-review-octopus-bh-100f-52288.html

 

225 gph. That was info I was looking for! It's good to know.

How large a tank will that skimmer handle (i.e. will it handle my 55gal)?

Or does the 100 mean 100 gallon?

EDIT: OK, you said 90 gallon already. Thanks again.

Nice review, BTW

 

i noticed in your sig that you have anemones ,
what type of anemones do you have and how big are they you might want to take them out because they will probably die under the lighting and lack of skimmer and many other reasons