Reef Rookie Confusion

[divetroop]

I am in the process of converting from FOWLR tank to a reef tank. I want to keep a couple of reef safe fish. I've read several books on reef aquariums, but I am more confuse now than when I started reading them. Now I know that nitrates in high concentrations are bad for invertebrates and corals. Is there any filtering system that I should use to keep nitrates in check or are only frequent water changes the only way to control nitrate levels. I currently have the following equipment and live stock in my tank:
75 Gallon- 31in highx36in longx15in wide (No Predilled holes)
Via Aqua filter- 650 model 265gph (carbon filtration with filter pads; no bioballs)
CPR Bak-Pak 2 Protein Skimmer- I removed the bio bail
2-SEIO 620ghp powerheads
PC lights- 3x65w Actinic Blue, White, Pink
Metal Halide-250w
1- Ocellaris Clownfish
1- Blue Damsel
1- Yellow Tail Damsel
1- Coral Beauty
6- Astrea Snails
20- Hermit Crabs
10-Cerith Snails
The confusion I'm having is with the filtering system. I want my water to be crystal clear but at the same time I want to make it suitable for corals.What should I use?

 

[divetroop]

95lbs of LR

 

[viper_930]

Have you tested the nitrate levels in your tank?
The skimmer would help keep nitrates down by removing organics before they decompose. You can also do "wet skimming" where you lower the cup on the BakPak to produce more skimmate but more wet. This would remove even more organics, but you'd have to empty the cup more often. And as you said regular water changes will help with the nitrates and also replace minerals and elements needed by the corals.
There are also nitrate sponges that absorbe the nitrates. But I'm still skeptical if they leech anything bad into the water.