My new baby! (What's next?)

[Gnarls Gnarlington]

I just received my stand and 50 gallon acrylic tank (still wrapped).

I am still struggling with two things:

1. Should I do live plants or fake (I'm a newbie) but I love the looks of real plants (but respect the ease of fake).

2. What substrate? People have recommended sand for either choice above but it seems like it will ba a paint to use with a Python (I expect cloudy water and half the sand going down the drain).

Budget is starting to become an issue. I am in $450 just on the tank and stand!

I bought a Fluvol 405 (another $150) plus a thermometer, etc...

(Don't let the wife see this post!)

 

[Gnarls Gnarlington]

Oh, and I guess there is another thing...

3. What lights? It is a SeaClear 50 and it came with a lightbox but the lamps are up to me.

 

[zparticle]

I'm curious, how tall is the stand and at what height is the top of the tank?

 

[Gnarls Gnarlington]

I'm curious, how tall is the stand and at what height is the top of the tank?

Ground to the top of the table is about 28" and to the top of the tank is about 48".

Why?

 

[zparticle]

Just wondering how hard it would be to change the water in a beast like that.

Wow, it looks MUCH taller in the pic.