My husband purchased me a 280 gallon tank which I wanted to do freshwater as I have had freshwater tanks for years but he talked me into doing a reef tank. Very nervous about this. I am struggling just to get the tank and the sump hooked up. Can use all the advice I can get. The protein skimmer only fits in the sump if I take all the felt socks out. Do you have to use the socks in the sump. Is there other filters I can use in their place? There is a lot of room in this sump. Thank you.