I'd say if you are willing to do larger water changes and control your feeding you could easily have a healthy tank without a skimmer. I would add stock slowly and gradually increase feeding to give the tank time to adapt, although I suppose that's always a good idea. If you decide to go with no skimmer a HOB filter with some good quality activated carbon in it, and maybe even some GFO might be a good idea. I also use a foam filter to polish the water but you need to clean it regularly.
I like the idea of a HOB refugium as well but I don't have any personal experience with them.
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