What size of tank is it. I have had great success going skimmer-less on my Nano. I set it up like a lagoon with an open approach. Very little live rock, deep sand bed, and sea grass growing in the sand. I have 36 watts of pc light above a 6 gallon marineland nano tank. Corals include a very large colt coral (14" tall and looking for a new home), bubble coral, very mushrooms, and zo's. The only fish is a yellow watchmen goby. The filtration is an aqua-clear HOB. I use the sea grass as a way to export nutrients and feed sparingly (just one fish). Don't break it down just modify it. build your own skimmer out of PVC pipe, air stone, air pump and have it inside of the tank.