Set-Up-BRAND NEW 75G HELP!!!!!!!!! NEWBIE!

As someone with a hob overflow I must say, I wish I had drilled when setting up my 125g. I to this day still have to mess with the standpipes and the u tubes and the flow so I don't get bubbles in the u tubes. But on the other hand, I am glad I went with the hob overflow. I have learned a great deal in regards to how the flow works and everything that goes with having a hob overflow. My next setup will be drilled.
Drill or not to drill, that's the question.
My opinion, K.I.S.S. and stick with what you have. You'll learn more and you don't have to spend any more money on something different.
That's just my experience and my $.02

 

Drill baby drill

 

Oh and just looking this over, $100 for water. That's ridiculous. You can get your own RO/DI unit for a little more than that.
This is the unit I have.
http://www.melevsreef.com/rodi.html

And in sure someone can guide you to a cheaper one.

 

I was actually told that yesterday by the man who was going to charge me 75hr to set it for me.... That I will be VERY happy later in if I drill it.

 

As I said previously, I have a similar set up to yours and I'm ok with it but if I could pick I would have mine drilled. But I also said that I learned a lot having what I have now. So i think whatever you choose will be great and you'll learn a lot about how things work if you stick with what you have now. (And you'll save money because you already have it)
Good luck on this decision, I know this is a tough one.

 

If you end up using that fixture, make sure you don't rest it on the braces like that. I learned that the hard way. It will rust to pieces and you will end up with stray voltage in your tank. Just a heads up. My bad didn't see it on the top of your canopy. But still try to get a glass or plexi glass top for it. The evaporation will still corrode the fixture.

 

one other thought...make sure when you silicone the baffels in your sump you use AQUARIUM SAFE silicone. There is a huge difference. If you use the stuff for bathrooms, etc. it will kill your fish and reef.