[tbittner]

I don't think that having the LR in that area is a bad thing. After all, it will still contribute to the natural biological filtration. I think the main use of that area is to add volume to your system. Maybe think about increasing the size of your return area a bit. That is where the evaporation will be reflected, in other words, the water level in the return compartment will fall and the water level every where else will stay the same. Are you planning on having an ATO? If not, then you want that compartment to be big enough to keep the pump wet if something comes up and you can't add water for a few days.