We're running a 55 sans sump (unless one considers a canister filter a sump) and refugium. I would call it successful, but as others have said it really depends on what you want in the end. As for us, we had initially began thinking FOWLR to keep it simple. But as I researched I found that a reef was what we really wanted. Still keeping with the "simple" approach, more research was done to find out what corals were "easy" and if they would fit the "outcome" I had projected for ourselves. I think lighting was our biggest expense, we settled for a 65w x 4 pc fixture and the addition of the canister filter (Fluval 304). These being the upgrades from a standard flour. 2 bulb fixture and a HOB Penguin 330 (which we still have running). Didnt upgrade the skimmer, a Prizm, but it seems to be doing fine for the time being. We actually have less LR than you and still have CC for substrate, but I have been removing a little at a time during cleaning/water change. Hope I'm not being long-winded and if you have any ?s please feel free to ask. A qwik run down of our inhabitants: Fish--2 Clarkii clowns (now a mated pair), a Coral Beauty, Neon Dotty, Yellow-tail damsel and a 4-Stripe damsel. Inverts--standard clean up crew:snails, hermits and a brittle star(lost our Sally crab, deciding on a replacement), Shrooms(2 kinds),Rics(2 kinds), GSP, 3 types of Zoos, Button Polyps, Bubble, Toadstool, Favite and 2 BTAs (the org. split). In keeping with the benefits of a refugium, we also keep a type of macro in the DT. Its similar to grape caulerpa, but it dosent go sexual (crossing fingers) and is red. It dosent grow like grape, more like a bush. Meeting with a realtor now, got to go. If you would like pics or anything, let me know.
