Circulating the water is not that difficult of a problem. The traditional
hidden power head works well. Skimmers don't really move a whole lot of
water, you need something else. I've had in the past as many as 3 smaller
power heads and found I wasn't moving enough water. I got rid of them and
now use a Mag 7 power head in my 7g gal FOWLR, and so far its working just
fine.
Some other ideas http://www.melevsreef.com/closedloop.html If done
correctly, this works real well.

"StringerBell" wrote in message
...
hi,
First of all---thanks for all the response Ive received on the NG. You
have
been VERY helpfull and patient.
But I am SO frustrated.
Here is my situation:
Back in the 80`s, my wife and I enjoyed a great 45 gallon marine tank. It
ran on a cannister filter, and an undergravel filter with powerheads.
Without me being a real scientist type, the tank STILL did great for about
5
years until a summer vacation power-outage disaster.Let`s just say that
the
only thing we found alive was the Snowflake Moray.
Now, 20 years later my wife gave me a great 65 gallon tank and wants it to
be a Marine tank like the old days.
I have gotten so much conflicting advice on filters from my local pet
shops that my head is literally swimming.
From what I have seen on the internet---it seems the preffered method to
have a marine aquarium these days is to use Live Rock (in collaboration
with a protein skimmer)as the filtration system. This sounds very
intriguing to me, but is SO outside my paradigm for a fish tank!---
What usually provides the water current in these systems? Hidden
powerheads? Or do Skimmers provide some water Current? Does the rock work
so well that the water quality is high and appears clear?
This Live-Rock angle seems like the right thing to try. What are some
pitfalls?
Please direct me to FAQs, etc.

thanks for your time and patience