You don't need to have a 500 gallon custom built sump tank to have an impressive set up. there are tonnes of truly outstanding set ups on this site like you said, but the majority of members here have simple tanks below 200 gallons. You really aren't any worse than lots of members on here. This is a community after all where we all learn and improve ourselves and our husbandry techniques. The longer you are on here and looking at other threads rearranging your tank etc the more skilled you will become. Won't be long until you have an awesome set up that makes everyone drool. Just takes time