Filtration for 30g whitout sump/panel?

[TonyHanke]

So I'm looking for some guidance on how to filtratea 24" by 20" by 20" tank, no sump or filtration panel. I have heard 2 opinions: 1. Invest in better skimmer, and use it alone, and 2. Don't spend that much on skimmer, but buy additional filter. If I go with option 1, I think of using either Tunze 9001 DC, or 9004 (quiet operation is very important to me, as tank is goint to stand in my bedroom), but I'm open on any suggestions. If I go with option 2, I think I'd go with Tunze 9001, or sicce shark skimmer 150, and fluval AC 70/some budget canister filter, but filled only with bio media and carbon. I'll have an ATO. Small/medium bioload, I'll keep mainly softies and LPS, but I might want to try SPS one day. I know that amount of rock in the tank is one of the most important filters, and I'll have enough. Tank will have sand. What would you suggest?
Thank you in advance.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I think you have a lot of options, you can get a hob skimmer, or hob filter or canister, or you can perform weekly water changes and have no filtration at all, especially if you mention you will have a light bioload. Or these things can be added later.

The rocks are always the main filtration. Besides the rocks, everything else is on as-needed basis really. I run 3 tanks with no filtration at all, just regular water changes, but 2 of my tanks have super heavy filtration. Every tank is different and depends what you ultimately want to do.