Starting another - advice/opinions?

[Alberta-newb]

Hi all, picked up another project today (thanks Kevin! ) and like to mull over some ideas and ask for opinions on plumbing options. This tank will eventually hold a central "island" of LR. Livestock will be limited to a pair or trio of pygmy angels and a pair of mandarins only.

It's a 50 gallon cube (display area volume) and has plenty of options available as it's drilled in 8 places (highlighted in red).



all holes are drilled for 1" bulkheads with the exception of one of two in the bottom of the sump which is for a 2" bulkhead. I'm thinking that this one will be used for the main drain and the other as an emergency drain to prevent overflows.

Since I hate the look of powerheads I'm thinking using the 3 holes in the display as returns for a closed loop. And at least one of the top rear holes as a loop style return around the top perimeter. Thoughts on this approach?

The sump is a 25 gal (with 15 gal capacity based on baffle height) drilled for two bulkheads.

Recommended pumps/capacity, and other things to consider? I want to keep it matinence friendly so there will be several valves and connectors for isolating pumps.


BTW: the front panel will be installed soon!