If I had it to do over again, and I wanted to do a non-reef type tank, and I scored a killer deal on a 75 gallon tank, here's what I'd do:
I wouldn't worry too much about the lighting. Maybe get some power compacts at the very most. Probably look for something used, something low wattage, but brighter than a single flourescant that comes with a hood.
But who knows, maybe that'd be good enough too. If you don't want corals, lights are just a headache....well, maybe they're cool if you want coraline on your rocks.
Which brings us to the next step. I wouldn't get anything but semi-fine grained sand. I got some arag-alive or some type stuff on craigslist for a great deal. When I got some little hermit crabs, they had a great time changing shells with all the zillions of little shells in my substrate. But, I've had some issues with crap getting stuck in all those little shell's nooks and crannies.
Plus, sand opens the door for all sorts of critters that specifically like to burrow in sand.
Rock, you gotta get some rock. Your best bet is to find some local. As a matter of fact, I could swear I just saw someone from michigan in the classifieds on this very board selling like 75 lbs of live rock.
You get enough established live rock and your filtration and even your cycle are well ahead of anything else.
I'd also get a few powerheads. The Maxi-Jet 1200s are great with plenty of horsepower. I'd bet 2 of them in a 75 would be perfect.
I'd also get a Coralife Super Skimmer, probably the 125 to hang on the back. I tried like 3 skimmers and had all sorts of issues finding a good one till the super skimmer. Works like a charm, easy to set up and all.
Then you just need your salt mix, and a hydrometer.
Well, there's also the water quality itself. Most people recommend RO/DI water, which requires you to make yourself a little system. If you use the wrong water from the getgo, you'll basically (from what I understand) infuse your sand with the posphates and whatever else is in your water.
But a lot of LFS have RO water, some even for free from posts I've read. I know the major stores like Petco sell it by 5 gallon jugs.
But, once you get your water, you fill your tank with it, mix in your salt, check it with the hydrometer, build yourself some crazy rockage with hiding places and cool tunnels for the fish to go through, then you put your sand in there around the rock, and wait a few days for that to settle. Turn on your powerheads when the water starts to clear, then your skimmer after the waters good and clear, get yourself a test kit that has ph, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, etc...
Oh, and maybe a piece of shrimp.
I wonder if this post will be too long?