Well, after the crazy busy weekend I have tabled the idea for my DIY overflow and sump for now. I seem to be having better luck with just weekly water changes, an Aqueon HOB 55 filter with biweekly catridge changes.
I'm going to save up the money to just buy an overflow, a good skimmer, and return pump instead of trying to cut corners there.
I'm going to modify the HOB filter into a fuge as well. I'm going to add a 1'' sandbed with a good amount of Chaeto to cut down on any nitrate build up caused by the catridges.
Everything looks good thus far.