jrc,
If you are getting a pro clear 75 wet/dry system, I would say you are starting off in the right direction (though depending on price would determine more if it was "worth" it...sometimes you can spend just a little more and be better off). Here a few tips might help out in the long run.
1. Take your time and do some searching - If people haven't heard of it, there is probably a reason
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2. Don't always take LFS advice as the best. If they are responsible they won't lead you wrong...though the only way to know for certain is to heed #1.
3. Plan for bigger. Most FOWLR tanks can and do end up having larger fish that produce vast amounts of waste. Having a skimmer to help rid of the tank of some of that is crucial. Just because the skimmer is rated for say 75g, it might be 75g with 1 fish...ratings are a tricky area. Most good manufactures will put 3 ratings on their products: light, medium, and heavy bioload. Then you can make a decision on what to get...more often than not look for the heavy bioload rating....plan ahead.
4. Never underestimate the power of live rock. I have a 29g right now with 30-40ish lbs of LR in it, and a 2" sand bed. I don't run anything but a Marineland H.O.T. magnum with a biowheel. Water change about once a month and everything stays happy. Previously in this scenario I was actually using a Skizzer filter (protein skimmer/HOT filter with carbon pads). Some people laughed, but it worked awesome for me....up untill it broke. Now I am just holding out to move everything to my 125g. Point being: The more LR you can fit in your tank, the better....just make sure your fish have enough swimming room
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5. If you decide to stay with the pro clear 75, rid yourself of the bioballs. They end up turning into nitrate factories with accumulated waste. You would be better off getting a subsance like Seachem Pond Matrix to replace the bioballs. The difference is that Pond Matrix can house nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria, unlike bioballs. I recommend the Pond Matrix because it comes in much larger sizes than either De-Nitrite or Matrix (esentially they are all the same thing, just different sizes). The De-Nitrite and Matrix should be put into a media bag because the actual size migh cause some issues depending on the size holes in your drip tray for the bioballs. Pond Matrix you could just throw in and call it good...no bag required.
Patience pays off. I hope some of this helps out. I am by no means trying to be an expert, just sharing what I have experienced personally. Depending on stock list, lbs of LR, how much live sand is going in, might make it an easier decision to say if it in infact "enough". I would say it's a good start, but I am thinking you would have to upgrade in the near future.
