It can be done. The major obstacle you are going to encounter is patience. Lack of patience is something that almost all aquarist have. A skimmer can be a valuable tool that gives you a buffer against going to fast to soon. If you plan your tank out ahead of time and add a minimum of livestock I think you will be o.k. You are going to be the best judge of your tanks health. Keep an eye on things and be prepared with a plan if things start to go south. Maybe keep a skimmer on hand just in case and always have some water for a change if needed.