American Aquariums -- about to order -- what am I missing?

[FishPersonFL]

Hi
I'm close to ordering two tanks from them.
Both tanks are rimless glass. one is 48x24x22 high , the other is 36x18x20 high. Both with ghost overflow. Both starfire front. He said the return flow will go through the overflow, not up over tank. I'm pretty sure I can 'wire' my power head cords through one of the drain pipes. Any reason I cant? it's how I do it now. Do I need some type of layer on the bottom of the tank? I've never had one before on a glass tank, just make sure it's tempered (?). Should I get a colored back? I was thinking black if I did but then I'm missing out on some natural light coming in from a window through back of larger tank.

I cant think of any add ons I should ask about.. any input on that? and thoughts on this source, like turn around time on recent tanks?
TIA!

 

[blaxsun]

Other than being a major PITA if you ever have to remove the powerhead cords and the fact that it will probably restrict your drainage, accumulate algae (detritus, etc,) and potentially block the overflow drain - no, I can’t think of any reasons why you couldn’t do that.

Yes, self-levelling tank mats are recommended and always a good idea. Most tanks do have some kind of backing; others paint theirs or apply a backing in a multitude of colors or paterns. Still others leave theirs clear. It’s really personal preference.

 

[mdb_talon]

Manufacturer should say whether you should use one or not but i never seen a rimless tank where levelling mats were not suggested.

As for colored back it is of course personal preference, but i would always want a black back unless of course it is viewable from that side also(ie peninsula style)

 

[FishPersonFL]

Other than being a major PITA if you ever have to remove the powerhead cords and the fact that it will probably restrict your drainage, accumulate algae (detritus, etc,) and potentially block the overflow drain - no, I can’t think of any reasons why you couldn’t do that.

Yes, self-levelling tank mats are recommended and always a good idea. Most tanks do have some kind of backing; others paint theirs or apply a backing in a multitude of colors or paterns. Still others leave theirs clear. It’s really personal preference.

Isnt one of the drains in the Ghost overflow an emergency overflow, so it's normally dry? My cables on my current tank go down that pipe.
I'll get a levelling matt for sure

 

[blaxsun]

Isnt one of the drains in the Ghost overflow an emergency overflow, so it's normally dry? My cables on my current tank go down that pipe. I'll get a levelling matt for sure

Well, my water level is set right at the edge of the emergency overflow pipe (there are a few reasons why, but I won't get into specifics), so in my case at least my emergency overflow pipe is never dry. Also, the whole point of an emergency overflow is to ensure an unobstructed flow of water (which kind of defeats the purpose when you run a bunch of cables through it).

But hey - your water world - your preference.

 

[FishPersonFL]

They will be glass I forgot to mention

Well, my water level is set right at the edge of the emergency overflow pipe (there are a few reasons why, but I won't get into specifics), so in my case at least my emergency overflow pipe is never dry. Also, the whole point of an emergency overflow is to ensure an unobstructed flow of water (which kind of defeats the purpose when you run a bunch of cables through it).

But hey - your water world - your preference.

Good points. How do you hide your cords? Though you might not need to (if you dont have rimless)?. TY
I'm getting close to ordering. I had some feedback not to. But the feedback to do it is overweighing the not too's.