Recommendations on custom 60g

[DCFix]

I am about to order a plexi and have overflow and return sections put in.

What is the best configuration? One on each corner, overflow in the center with return in a corner, both in the center, or both on opposite lateral thirds of the tank? The sump will be designed based on the tank configuration.

Also, is one background color better than the other? It seems that blue is brighter, but black shows off the colors better. But black also lets you see floating particles in the water easier.

 

[AllenFord_SC]

Have you considered having the overflow built external... as in on the back or the sides. Easier to do with acrylic than glass. Have the tank builder attach an overflow on the back or side external wall. You can either have "teeth" cut into the wall or just make it about an inch shorter. This completely removes the overflow from your tank giving you more real estate to aquascape. I would recomend an external that runs the full length of the rear wall. Only needs to be about 6" deep and 6 - 8" high. Then install your bulkheads and plumb and your good to go. Let me know if this makes any sense, if not I will draw up a pic and post it for you.

 

[DCFix]

Wow, that's a great idea. I should check if they do that.

Any recommendations on the background?

 

[AllenFord_SC]

Black or Blue Personally I like the look of blue. Also here is a really cool idea. Buy one of these backdrops: http://www.thatpetplace.com/Product...ds/T1/F05CX+0413+0014/EDP/40504/Itemdy00.aspx They are similar to tint but the neat thing is if you back light them with a full length lamp it gives the appearence of added depth. The light should be installed away from the back pane near the top so the deeper in the tank you go the darker the color gets. I plan on adding this to my new tank with VHO lamps lighting it from the back. Not necessary to use VHO but I have them lying around.

 

[AllenFord_SC]

P.S. They have it in 30", 23", 19", and 12"