Contest tanks, where is the hardware?

[Chaka]

Looking at a number of different planted tanks I can see all the way around the back edge and there is no filter inlet or outlet tubes. For example, jan 2008 TFH magazine had a 7 page spread of the International aquatic plants contest. There was no hardware to be seen in any of the tanks. Are the tubes and pumps takes out for the photos? I know some can be hidden in corners but was wondering about the tanks you can see all the way around the back glass. Thanks in advance.

[yourchoice]

I know they sell clear plastic tubing which is very expensive.You can get cannisters with built in heaters or splice a heater into the tubes outside the aquarium.

[Rbishop]

Bottom or low back drilled to canisters or sumps....

[rich311k]

Everything is remove before the photos are taken. A hairdryer is used for the ripple effects.

[ThePBM]

yeah, they are indeed removed before pictures.

[jpappy789]

Sumps can hide a lot of things as well.

[Mgamer20o0]

most things if they are in the tank they are removed to take the pic. a little cheating but o well.

[RoseFishWatcher]

I think I saw one contestant who got criticized (by the judges, no less) for taking pics of the tank without removing the hardware. If I ever manage a show tank, I will definately be using a sump (minimum gear in the display possible is ++ in my book).