Other option, closed loop system with pvc piping hidden with water jets in areas of the tank, just a different style pump setup and such, I do like this option allot and could just buy one larger pump to use for everything.
I have two closed loop systems on my 450. It's all one inch plumbing, I put two 1" bulkheads on each side of the 8' tank pushing water from the left side of the tank to the right side very low to the gravel. Actually too low cuz there's a bare spot, the gravel can't handle the current. I put Nu-Clear filters on the closed loop which makes the water crystal clear. The lower current keeps the poo off the gravel.
Initially this was too much filtration and I only ran one closed loop. Now my Niger cat is almost 30" and may weigh in at a whopping 15 pounds lol. I also have a 30" AUL.
Note: I built up a rock/drift wood dark cave area at the closed loop intakes. 90% of the time the Niger Cat and AUL stay there. They love the current and darkness. I love the poo only has about 2" too the filter! Those two monsters are about 50% of my bio load in that tank
So closed loop systems can work but they are not as mobil/flexible as the power heads. Nice thing for me is the added filtration and crispy clean water they produce.