Help me design my new planted tank (ideas inside)

[fish4phil]

My 36G Freshwater Tropical Community tank (see below) is about to see a major renovation. I'll be:

• Replacing all subtrate with black fine grade eco-complete
• Putting a black background on
• Adding a "terrace" in the back left corner made from malaysian driftwood
• Pressurized CO2 (& Dry ferts, micros, all the good stuff)

Here's my plan for plants:

• Flame Moss (or Christmas Moss??) - Enough to cover a few of the driftwood tips
• (3) Anubias barteri var. nana
  Extraplant Aquarium Plants: Anubias barteri var. nana
• Marsilea Hirsuta (Ground cover)
  Extraplant Aquarium Plants: Marsilea quadrifolia
• (1) Rotala Macrandra (Bright red bushy plant for the back right)
  Extraplant Aquarium Plants: Rotala macrandra
• (2) Nesaea pedicallata ''Golden'' - Golden for top of terrace
  Extraplant Aquarium Plant Shop
• (3) Egeria najas (background, centerish)
  Extraplant Aquarium Plant Shop
• (2) Bacopa caroliniana (background, center-right)
  Extraplant Aquarium Plants: Bacopa caroliniana

What do you think? Anything missing?

 

[Sk3lly]

I tried the terracing effect but used slate instead ...

Sort of filled in now though ...

 

[jetajockey]

I wouldn't do golden nesaea since it's a general pain and proves difficult for most. I keep some of it emersed in the greenhouse but do not keep it submersed anymore just because it seems touchy.

I'm not a huge fan of macranda either as I've had hit and miss issues with it, but a lot of people like it. I usually go for easier red alternatives like scarlet temple (a.reineckii roseafolia) or L.glandulosa, or possibly rotala wallichi, rotundifolia, etc.

The marsilea does make for a nice carpet although you will need a LOT of it unless you are really really patient. Another good ground cover+climber is dwarf pennywort.