Net help converting 75 gallon from scratch using HOB overflow, sump, skimmer ect

[nano reef]

Okay, so I am officially addicted to this hobby! LOL. Started with a 10 gallon, basic setup with aqua clear HOB! I just bought myself a 72 gallon bowfront and stand for 115 bucks! Tank is new and stand like new! Problem is I am not sure quite how to do this. I have chosen to use a HOB overflow because my hubby dosnt want to drill. He is going to build a canopy over top to hide the hob as well so it will look nice and tidy. I am looking into some used parts like a sump that is made from a 20 or 30 gallon. It has 3 sections and a I believe it is called bubble trap, sock holders as well. I would like to turn middle section into a refugium.

My questions are can that be done with a wet dry sump? There is someone combining that with a eshops HOB with the double tubing so I am assuming that is better and a skimmer. To tell you honestly I am trying to save some money being I lost 150.00 deposit I had on a oceanic half circle! I am still sick over that because not only was it beautiful and unique but it had everything, the girl picked up and moved out day after I paid her!! Also, I have been spending so much money on corals lately and my fresh water tank as well. When I say I got addicted I wasnt kidding..lol. Bought a 36 bowfront that came with rocks and lots of sw gear that we are turning into a planted driftwood tank!

I am hoping someone can tell me of a good pump that is inexpensive, and I want to know if I will need 2 pumps? One for the skimmer and one for the water to get to the sump, or maybe 3 pumps one to get into tank? I have located some nice skimmers, like reef octopus, bubble magus for 20 bucks but with no motor. I though t I read if I was using in sump I could use same motor. Also one more question. Being I am a woman and this is a big undertaking I am seriously considering flipping this ( i can flip for at least 300 I believe) and getting a predrilled 75 gallon plumbed with everything including lights, sand powerheads, heater, rocks with a few corals ect but has no skimmer. He has skimmer bodys for 20 and probably has used pumps. He sets up tanks in his home and has everything there. 350.00 but no headaches of trying to figure this out! Plus one stop shopping. about 1 1/2 hour drive but be good to get out of house with this coronavirus and self quarantine! Figure road trip wouldn't be so bad! My hubby would not need to build a canopy since preplumbed and no hob to hide! I love bowfront better but I love this cabinet better but its dark wood and i need black so would have to paint! I am wondering with saltwater creep if I would have a hard time with paint sticking since I would be wiping it down often.

Sorry this post is so long. Just dont know if I bit off more than I can chew. It is really that difficult to put together from scratch or better to get a system where iI can also get advice from the man on putting together at home or can call on him afterwards! I dont really know but one person who keeps saltwater and seems a lot he dosnt know! Havnt been in the bobby but since late dec is when I started cycling my 10 gallon. My hubby says i rushed it but wont take no time b4 this 10 gallon will be filled up! I do have to wait for frags to grow but I have to leave space for then to spread out!

I would appreciate any advice on this project and if yall can make sense of this crazy long post to answer my questions. Thanks

 

[Sailfin11]

It sounds like you have an awesome collection of tanks going on and nice deal on the tank!

To address your first point, I would not recommend going with the hang on the back. I'd call your LFS and ask if they could drill it for you. With larger tanks and glass thickness there is less risk of cracking it, so as long as it is non-tempered you should be fine. Here's a link to an overflow that you could use. It sounds like you're in this hobby for the long haul, so I would do it right now rather than later even if it means waiting.

For your sump and filtration, a wet-dry filter wouldn't be your best option. This is more often used in freshwater than salt. All I'd reccomend for equipment in your sump is a heater with an Inkbird controller (link), any appropriately sized skimmer, filter socks, and one return pump (here's what I use: link). Down the road you can add on dosing pumps, etc. but this is really all you need. On my 75 gallon, I run a Bubble Magnus skimmer which is affordable and has a great warranty. Here's the one I use (link). I think that skimmers you were looking at would need a lot of work to get operational again. If you're still looking for a light I'd look at the Aquamaxx (link) or SB Reef fixtures.

I would pass on the other tank. You have to worry about replacing bulkheads, redoing the plumbing, etc. Also, the drive seems quite long especially if you need to rent a truck. For a time, I also liked buying used tanks, keeping what I wanted, and selling the rest. At the end of the day, I think I should've just gotten the equipment new and avoided the hassle of constantly bringing in bundles of things. You also don't want to overwhelm your husband with too much stuff It's important to keep the family on board!

Don't forget to use R2R for help -- there are a lot of people willing to give suggestions about plumbing, lights, coral, and pretty much everything else. With all this free tie we have, it's a great time for a new build.

Best of luck -- I hope this helped!