You'll love the central air and manifolds. I wouldn't have my little fish room without one.
I personally use Hamburg Mattenfilters in my fish room, but that works because the tanks in there are all breeders and grow-outs. The Mattenfilters provide more filter surface, a larger bacteria bed, and significantly more water movement in the tank. I also only have to clean it every 3-6 months. I keep a few sponge filters around to seed new or cleaned tanks.
John @ JEHMCO is a great (consultant) sales guy. Their stuff is shipped ready to go. Every adapter, manifold, hose, etc is cut and fit. Even the fittings had plumbers tape on them when I received them!