How "bare bones" can you go?

[grizzy]

First off thank you to everyone who helps out us newbies. This hobby is very complicated and would be downright impossible without your patience and knowledge.
OK. I would like to start a FOWLR in the 55 gl range. What items could you go without if you were to buy a ton (1.5-2 lbs per gl) of LR and premium LS? It seems there is a good amount of people who are skimmerless. Is it possible to run a tank that size without a protein sk. or wet/dry? Could it be done with plenty of circulation, poss. a fluval, and frequent water changes? What items are simply a must?

 

[peasly1]

I have read here of some who do go skimmerless,I am not one.. but if your are going to spend that much $ on lr and ls you should certainly spend a fraction of that on a good skimmer,it will only do good

 

[trigahappynigerog]

there are alot who just use lr, powerheads, and water changes..even though not needed on most systems, it is good practice to use skimmers...activated carbon and some type of floss material for waste should be used also..