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I would ask your tank manufacture what side of the glass he recommends the gasket to be on. I've always put them on the dry side as everyone else I know of. Tank builders always told me that and I never had a leak. I've seen them on the wet side before.
Most bulkheads with slip fittings also...
I wish I would have known that you needed some kind of filter. I have a duel HOB bio wheel I could have brought to the meeting for you yesterday. If your ever in the Middletown area, you can have it.
If you're buying new, I would go with the drop in. I had a few tank crashes last year because of the chiller problems. My pump went on me one time and caused one of the crashes.