In random scrumaging through the basement looking for a reciept I found some spare acrylic (don't ask)... so I took out the shabby looking eggcrate and while I was painting the manifold I painted the back section of the tank and the spare acrylic as well...AND rearranged the rockwork. I really like this layout alot better:
Also, got all the wood needed to build the frame of the stand and canopy. As per usual, the plan for that has changed, I'll be going with a sort of floating canopy instead.