-John Wolfram : Love the way you show up here and 'shine a light' on the problem with simple answers !
-As you have to have a filter in your system some where, turn the problem into an opportunity, install a removable filter at that point
water goes into the
bottom of the filter and its overflow goes into the tank
This might require you to site your whole tank as much as 6'' lower than other wise
If this is a threaded cap that is missing it is possible to get a replacement ordered from most plumbing stores
Or you can check with Electrical contractors who use large diameter conduit to run long lengths of multiple large diameter Elect Cable, Their plugs and caps
do not have to be water tight and are the same
thread and run cheaper !
For the good of the Crafts Big AL