Help with setting up 75g FOWLER

[foxe]

Y'all are probably really sick of this question, aren't you? Sorry. Help me anyway? By the way, HI! First time user, hopefully not last time, if I decide to take the plunge and do a saltwater tank.

I'm planning on buying a 75 gallon tank and stand from a friend, which is currently set up as a freshwater with live plants. I've had some success with planted tanks under 10 gallons, so I might just keep the tank as it is, but do a little pruning/repositioning. BUT, I was thinking about maybe trying a salt water tank. I've never done so before, so I've been researching online, but there's so much information! Right now I'm just concentrating on what equipment I would need, and after that worrying about what sort of fish to keep.

I know I'll need a hydrometer (or refractometer), heater, at least one powerhead, and a protein skimmer. Salt, test kits, thermometer, etc. Does that sound about right?

How many powerheads do I really need (or does it depend on the species of fish)?

For mechanical filtration, should I get a canister filter or the kind that hangs off the back (like what you typically see on a small freshwater tank)? And would this do chemical filtration too or do I need something totally different?

Is a sump truly necessary? I know it's very helpful, but the tank isn't setup with an overflow, and I haven't seen the stand so I don't know if I could hide a sump in it.

The tank is coming with a light that's good for the plants, but would that be good for the live rock? Thought I read somewhere that the helpful bacteria needs some special lighting?

And even though I've asked far too many questions already, is there anything else I've forgotten/overlooked? In the meantime, I'll go browse around and see what other info I can cram into my head..

[Reefing Madness]

Y'all are probably really sick of this question, aren't you? Sorry. Help me anyway? By the way, HI! First time user, hopefully not last time, if I decide to take the plunge and do a saltwater tank.

I'm planning on buying a 75 gallon tank and stand from a friend, which is currently set up as a freshwater with live plants. I've had some success with planted tanks under 10 gallons, so I might just keep the tank as it is, but do a little pruning/repositioning. BUT, I was thinking about maybe trying a salt water tank. I've never done so before, so I've been researching online, but there's so much information! Right now I'm just concentrating on what equipment I would need, and after that worrying about what sort of fish to keep.

I know I'll need a hydrometer (or refractometer), heater, at least one powerhead, and a protein skimmer. Salt, test kits, thermometer, etc. Does that sound about right?
Powerheads (2 one in each side of tank) Rated at 400gph eacah. 800 total for a fish only tank and 1600 total for a Reef.

How many powerheads do I really need (or does it depend on the species of fish)?

For mechanical filtration, should I get a canister filter or the kind that hangs off the back (like what you typically see on a small freshwater tank)? And would this do chemical filtration too or do I need something totally different?
95lbs of Live Rock and or a mix of Live Rock and Base Rock. For a fish only 75 gallon tank, Magnum 350 would do it. Gotta make sure you clean this thing every week so Trates don't build up.
2" Sand bed. This and Live Rock are the bulk of your filtration.
Is a sump truly necessary? I know it's very helpful, but the tank isn't setup with an overflow, and I haven't seen the stand so I don't know if I could hide a sump in it.
No need for the sump. They also sell numerous kinds of overflow boxes for use if you went that route.

The tank is coming with a light that's good for the plants, but would that be good for the live rock? Thought I read somewhere that the helpful bacteria needs some special lighting?
No special lighting needed for bacteria. Coral need high lighting, Anemones need Strong lighting, sofites and LPS need moderate lighting. What kind of lighting is it? Most come with Flourescent, and this is only good for a Fish only tank. ALso most tanks come with a glass lid, remove those, you don't need those.

And even though I've asked far too many questions already, is there anything else I've forgotten/overlooked? In the meantime, I'll go browse around and see what other info I can cram into my head..

Setting Up Saltwater Aquariums - Beginner Tips For New Saltwater Tanks

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

Hi Foxe. Welcome to Reefland! Starting out in this hobby can be a daunting task but it's good that you are taking the time to research/ learn before actually diving in. I followed the recommendations for starting and maintaing a saltwater aquarium in this article: Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium.