Sump or HOB protein skimmer?

[JennyG]

I currently have a 55 gallon with only an HOB Fluval 70. I’d like to upgrade my filtration but I wonder if I should keep the Fluval and add an HOB protein skimmer or add a sump. I’d like a refugium if possible. The sump could only be 10 gallons due to space limitations. I have a mixed reef

 

[Evil1]

I currently have a 55 gallon with only an HOB Fluval 70. I’d like to upgrade my filtration but I wonder if I should keep the Fluval and add an HOB protein skimmer or add a sump. I’d like a refugium if possible. The sump could only be 10 gallons due to space limitations. I have a mixed reef

Adding a sump at this point in my opinion would be quite a challenge. I would suggest a HOB skimmer like the aquaready hob 1.5 or reef octopus 1000. You will need at least 4 inches behind your tank to fit it. FYI I don’t run a sump I have a canister filter and the Aquaready HOB 1.5 and I love it.