I posted this in November of last year so it's a little out of date.
https://www.vivariumforum.com/communi...tank-pics.html
I knew I had posted a pic on here......
Anyways you can see how one of my tanks is set up with the water feature.
I can't believe how bare that looks compared to what it is now....
I have two pumps in there (the submersible kind). One pumps water to the water fall and the other has a sponge on it to filter the water. I really don't like the fact that I have to maintain that (about every third week). I have to pull them out and clean them up. Plus I'm not satisfied with the amount of water they move. Well when they are freshly cleaned - yes. After a week it's slow.
If I could go back and start the tank over again I would definitely have the bottom glass drilled in two places. I'd drill out a 1" hole in the bottom towards the rear of the tank on the left side and do the same towards the rear on the right side. I'd put two flanges in and put a riser tube on the left side with a screen top. That would be my drain. The other side would be the tube that delivers water to the top of the waterfall. This way the pump would be out of the tank and much more accessible.
I don't know how elaborate you're willing to make it or what kind of budget you have but If you really want to create something that's virtually maintenance free that could be one way of doing it.