I have the ink and yes the sump area is a bitcramped.. I also have been upgrading since ipurchased the tank.. I didn't like almost any of the stock equipment so after upgrades I'm now in over 2 grand on a 300 dollar tank.. In sure there were better options out there
Aquamaxx hob skimmer, kissel 360we tuna blue, cpr refugium, a reef octopus medi reactor which is not in use until I have a heavier bio load and I'm planning on an auto top off because my salinty is crazy with the evaporation. It's only 20 days old today.
I got a used jbj 24 nano cube and did similar upgrades - took off the hood, added a USA current led light strip, better return pump media rack for first chamber. You don't need a skimmer IMO just do water changes every week. Even getting the tank for $10 I think if I had to do it again I would get a nicer tank maybe with a sump. Oh yeah an ato is absolutely necessary if you don't have a hood. I go through almost a gallon a day.