Swords, not at all! I guess its just a complex question, and there are probably as many answers as there are people who have put together a setup like this.
I didn't respond to this before, as I'm not sure how much I can add... I've done a semi-natural 'fish tank' - nothing fancy at all, in fact, as simply as I could possibly make it!
I have tried to avoid using bark - as you point out, it decomposes quite quickly and replacing it every year is difficult (or nigh on impossible without disturbing everything). I have used a combination of cocoa shell pieces with moss on top. I have also put a corner of glass chippings in (green coloured ones are nice) to help improve humidity.
Are you planning to grow terrestrial orchids?
My aquarium didn't have a middle brace, so I can't help you there... though I would agree that since its not going to hold gallons of water, it is safe to remove it.
I also haven't done the foam/silicone thing... I don't have anything along the sides of mine, as it is using natural light from the window it sits in front of. I do, however, hang plants mounted on cork or tree fern along the sides (hooked over the top).
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