But if you have full access to the back and sides from inside the room would it be OK? Sorry to hijack, I'm trying to learn from your experience here. I'm trying to avoid a potentially big mistake here. I figured it's the same as if the tank is backed up against a wall now, it's just that instead of the back being painted black, it would be glass and there would be a hole on the other side to see it. My wife thinks the look would be better. I also think the oak stand with nothing in the stand but some tubes that are punched through the wall behind at an angle would be OK. That way, others can see the sides without going into the fish room, plus there's more room in the fish room for other things.