newbie help on filter/pump

[newbie2011]

I have a just set up a 55gal reef tank. I do not have a sump and am only using a topfin 60 filter/pump that hangs on the back of the tank. Is this good or bad? If so what is a good filter for me to purchase for the 55gal that will work well and is not going to cost me tons right now as i have invest most of what i can at this point in the process of this hobby.

[Original Fin]

Can you detail the whole system? What equipment and supplies do you already have?

Reef filtration is accomplished with Live Rock (Approx 1.5lbs per gal) and a protein skimmer rated for 2X sys volume. NO BIOBALLS OR BIOWHEELS!

Without a sump, it will be more difficult to maintain high quality water. I would suggest rethinking that if you want to do a reef. Not that it can't be done, it just makes it more difficult, and eventually, you're going to want that sump. In sumpless systems, nutrient export is more of a challenge. You may need to do water changes more often than you otherwise would to keep NO3 and PO4 in check. Otherwise, you will likely have chronic/recurrent issues with nuisance algae, cyanobacteria, and/or dinoflagellates.
Another issue you will have to stay ahead of is top of water. That tank will probably evaporate close to a gallon a day depending on your lighting. Since salts do not evaporate with water, the effect is salinity swings, which is bad for everything from fish/inverts/corals, right down to the bacteria that make up your biofiltration. With a sump, adding an auto top off reservoir/system is possible. Without a sump, not so much. It would be best to top off multiple times per day...that gets old, believe me.
Because of the difficulties inherent with non-sump systems, I would plan on keeping mostly soft corals. They are the most robust/hardy when it comes to less than perfect water quality.

I can tell you from experience that starting out with a hole in the budget is not a recipe for success in this hobby. IT IS EXPENSIVE, PERIOD. It's far better to excercise a little patience early on, and collect all the below necessary items before the first drop of water is added.

-RODI Water filter
-Full battery of test kits (NH3, NO2, NO3, PO4, PH, ALK, CA3 MAG)
-refractometer
-Reef Lighting appropriate to the type of corals you intend to keep.
-Lighting timers
-Powerheads/flow 10-20X turnover/hr/sys volume
-Heater(s) & thermometer
-Skimmer
-Live Rock
-Monthly supply of salt (15-20% weekly water changes)
-Salt mixing container with heater and powerhead
-Quarantine tank with sponge filter
-2 part ballanced Alk/Cal supplements
-Magnesium supplement
-GFCI outlet modification if needed

[Original Fin]

As for HOB skimmers, I like:

-Aqua C Remora (Pro version with preskimmer option)
-CPR Aeroforce
-Super Reef Octopus LX 2000s

Stay away from:
-Coralife
-Seaclone