The OP. In the first post he stated that he ran the tank with no skimmer and no sump. I understand why people with no sump try to avoid a skimmer, but if he has one, then I see it only as a benefit. I see that was your suggestion as well!
Yeah sorry you had replied off of my string so I thought you were asking me. Not sure the OP has a sump. But when I ran no sump I still used a HOB skimmer and it worked well.