I'm awaiting delivery of an NC28 - I plan to setup and cycle initially with Vida Rock (from Cerameco) seeded with some live rock / live sand then a CUC as appropriate. I'll be stocking corals slowly (due to cost plus lighting) but have a desire to keep as many fish as the system will bear.
Can the increased bio-load be ameliorated with larger or more frequent water changes or will I likely need a skimmer sooner rather than later?
Can the increased bio-load be ameliorated with larger or more frequent water changes or will I likely need a skimmer sooner rather than later?
. IMO, I personally feel that anyone who can use a skimmer, use one. You can use all the help you can get with keeping the tank clean and waste free. The smaller the tank, the more important it will be as things are influenced so much easier on a smaller tank than it would on a bigger one. As for water changes, yea, I'd stay on top of them doing atleast 10-15% per week. With water changes, you'd want to vaccum your substrate (depending on how deep you go with the sand will determine the care it would need) and keep all sponges, filter pads etc (if you use them) either changed or cleaned atleast ever 3 days. 
