Actually the cord is running behind the tank from the co2 and lights. . .I don't have a background. Just a black shade in front of a window that I always keep down. I've been meaning to get a background but I always forget when I'm at my LFS and the few times I remember, I'm short on time. The heater is on the very far left actually
One of the reasons about the really noticeable equipment is that the rubber band is holding some mesh over the reactor to keep babies from getting sucked in and the val was dying so the equipment is really exposed. Since I added my new filter which blows diagonally over the val, the val is now pearling and new leaves are shootin' up everywhere. I'll give it some time and post some pics when a couple of things grow in and that might help.