Ok first off I like making crazy things - always have. I was going to make my own lid for my 55g tank anyway, and I had an idea on how to make it a little more multi purpose then a normal lid. Here is a quick diagram I drew up to give you an idea. I'm horrible at drafting, so sorry many things will have to be worked out as I build it. Thing is Ive never seen anything like this which is ushally a bad sign. It will look a little mad-sceintest 'esq but other then that I'd like imput on whether or not you think it would work.
I think it would work a little like a small sump filter but using gravity and the pump in reverse, saving me from having to drill which im not comfratable doing with this old an aquariam, and in the event of a power failure all I'll lose is my filtration. I came with the idea debating how to make a lid with room for a filter and at the same time be bichir escape proof. Let me know what you think, and unless someone kindly explains to me why this might fail in disaster, I'll try building it next weekend and get some photos of the project.
I think it would work a little like a small sump filter but using gravity and the pump in reverse, saving me from having to drill which im not comfratable doing with this old an aquariam, and in the event of a power failure all I'll lose is my filtration. I came with the idea debating how to make a lid with room for a filter and at the same time be bichir escape proof. Let me know what you think, and unless someone kindly explains to me why this might fail in disaster, I'll try building it next weekend and get some photos of the project.
. depending on pump size you could do a center inlet and two returns, or put two on top, put some styrofoam on top with some holes and put a few tropical vines in it for looks (add some filtration but not the point) to hide them. 
nice thing with above tank as long as you start with just enough water to fill the tank and make sure the path of least resistance is to the tank your set.
