Which to upgrade first

[SFMMcoasters]

In my AP24 I'm pretty much done with all the upgrades. I've got just 2 left. The skimmer, and the lights! I've picked out both a skimmer and a MH light system for myself. But the money is coming in at a slow pace here. Which one should I upgrade first? For the time being My corals are happy with the stock lighting, so I think I will go with the skimmer first. But what do you think?

 

[sir_dudeguy]

well on my 40 i currently am not running a skimmer. Could things be better if i had one? Sure would be i'd bet. But there's certainly nothing wrong with the system as of now. In smaller tanks a skimmer is less and less important as the tanks get smaller and smaller. I dont even recommend bothering with one on like a 10g tank. In a 24 it would definately help, but imo it also may not be worth it just yet, just basing this all on personal experience with my 40. Consistent water changes should be all you'd need (psh...and i STILL have a problem w/that altho lately i've been better...my tank has gone a month a few times without a water change...doesnt seem to matter really tho mostly since i have all softies)

I say lights, but thats just my opinion. Others will say differently.

Also....just out of curiosity here...how many upgrades have you done to this tank? If you can, could you list:

The upgrade
The cost of the upgrade
And the cost of the whole setup when you bought it

I'm just curious is all. I see sooo many people buying all these nano cubes, aquapods, etc...and then i see them all "upgrading" and whatnot. Personally i think people should just get a plain empty tank and buy what they want...not settle for a VERY expensive setup only to have to change it in the end anyways. I've found that cheaper for me

 

[SFMMcoasters]

Yea honestly. I bought the tank before coming to RC where everybody tells you to upgrade the kazoo out of your tanks. Some of the upgrades people say to do I just ignore because nerdy reef enthusiasts of course want to get the TOP stuff they can. I cant blame them. I've got my nerdy hobby too, it just doesent happen to be reefkeeping (yet).

If I were to redo all my decisions I would just go for an AGA tank and then build everything myself. Basically the only thing left in this AP that came with it is the glass tank itself...

So the rundown of where i'm at is:
-AP24 standard set- $200
-AP24 stand- $130 (really worth it though, glad I got it)
-Maxijet 1200 upgrade- $28
-Carbon and Filter Floss- $10
-CurrentUSA Fission nanoskimmer- $30 (PIECE OF CRAP, money wasted)

I guess thats all i've upgraded. Other purchases are:
-LR + LS- $150
-Nets, testing kits, sand vaccuum, Mag-float, ect...- $70
-40 gallons of saltwater from LFS in jugs- $50

Livestock:
-Red Shroom- Free
-Green Zoos- $10
-Yellow polyp- $20
-Xenia- $10
-Green Torch Coral- $30
-2 Clowns- $30
-Shrimp & snails- $30

So my estimated total so far is like $800. I want to get the 150W MH Sunpod for $240 and a Sapphire Skimmer for $125. Overall this tank started as a weekend project, "hey lets go get a saltwater fishtank", and thanks to RC its gotten completely out of hand financewise- But hey- I absolutely love the thing and I'm having a blast!