i guess i could shed some light on this.

FW=fresh water
SW=saltwater
IMO=in my opinion
PH's=powerheads
HOB=hang on back

first good luck with making a top if thats the way you go but like archer said you dont have to use a top i run one on my 55gal FW tank because it came with one but i dont on my SW
as far as a filter system goes canisters are the best besides a wet/dry sump if you ask me, but they can get pretty pricey
personally i run nothing but AquaClear HOB filters on my tanks, they are like a HOB canister, you get three stage filtration with them and dont have to do any plumbing

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