It's week 10 for my 55 reef, I've added a protein skimmer.

Up until now, I've been running with a standard Aqueon 55 "all in one filter". This is an el cheap-o to be sure, but it's done it's job well. It has two carbon cartidges and mechanical filtration. It also claims to be a bio filter, however; there is no real bio media...just the surface area of the filter pads and holders. I didn't need a bio filter since LR/LS do that job quite well. With the tank seasoning nicely, it was time to upgrade so I can begin to slowly increase bio load. My reasons for waiting till now on the PS were:
1. Financial...wanted to spread out the set up cost. Started from scratch.
2. To have time to research brands and models
3. My tank came with an Aqueon 55 HOB all in one filter...this has been sufficient up until now with the light start up bio load.

Yesterday, I installed a CPR Aeroforce. So far, so good. In the past 12 hours, it's already produced about 60ml of dark green skimmate. There were some microbubbles returned to the tank at first, but that's mostly dissipated now. Set up couldn't be easier, and I like that the bulk of this filter mosly dissapears behind my rear glass background. One potential drawback the Aeroforce has is that it's made from clear acrylic, and that could necessitate more frequent cleanings because of algae growth. That shouldn't be much of an issue for me considering my glass background will block light from most of the skimmer body. The only tank intrusion with this skimmer is from the Hydor Pico 400feed pump, and it's quite small. I was pleasantly surprised at how quiet this rig is...much more so than than my old Aqueon.
Now, considering I yanked the old cartidge filter out yesterday, I'm prepared to experience some transitional water quality fluctuations. This morning I tested water. Ammonia is up to .75 from yesterday's .25. This was to be expected. Removing the old filter, and it's carbon pads has also removed some of my nitrifying bacteria colony. Not to worry. I've had mini cycles like this before whenever I've cleaned and changed filter pads. It has always recovered within a couple days. Now that there is no where else but the LR/LS for bacteria to propagate, I shouldn't have to worry about that particular source of instability any more. Nitrites tested at zero, but I expect a brief spike over the next few days as the bacterial balance restabilizes. Nitrates appear to have decreased significantly...in the neighborhood of 2-3 from 8-10 ppm. This is probably the lowest I've seen them since starting the tank. That should make my CUC a lot happier.

My current bio load:
-Diamond Goby
-Pajama Cardinal
-CUC (2 turbo Snails, 2 nasarius snails, black urchin, blue dwarf hermit, scarlet hermit, coral banded shrimp)
-Hawaiian feather duster
-BTA
-Hitchikers (Bristleworms, small reef crab, white sponges, tiny tube worms, 1 fast growing pink/green polyp, various unidentified worms, unidentified bivalves, tiny white stars, green and red macroalgaes)

Next addition to the familly will be a Clown...perhaps a mated pair.