Great call on the skimmer. A good alternative for a tank without a lot of LR in it is to replace the biomedia in the sump with LR rubble. It is a lot cheaper (sometimes free) and will give you the same biofiltration benifits you get from LR. Just a thought. Looks ike your cycle is underway. Any ideas of the fish you want?? Keep up the good work. You could work in interior design...Landoi have a wet/dry sump with a uv and soon to be added a protein skimmer