Ok folks, here's what I have on paper as my wife and I head out tomorrow to get our supplies.
40 gal long tank -
nice choice!
Aquaclear 70 filter -
good! you can never have too much filtration. It's recommended to have double the filtration for your size tank, but an AC 70 would be good. In the future you can always upgrade or add a second filter.
Aqueon Submersible Heater 150 watts -
yep
Aqueon Fluorescent Hood
yep
Aqueon Aquarium Water Changer
yep (I have one, it's great)
API Freshwater Master Test Kit
Glass Thermometer with suction cup
Bottle of Seachem Prime
and now for the biggy. I've decided to try it...a bottle of pure ammonia to begin my FISHLESS cycle. Tough decision because I want fish really bad and really soon but I think this could be fun.
Good choice! It's a process but worth it in the end. We're here to help so feel free to post your progress along the way. If you wanted to jumpstart it, try to get some seeded media from a healthy established tank. Or you can buy an "active" filter from these guys; they've helped many on here cycle their tanks, myself included. Just make sure you get an "active" one or else you're just getting a plain filter.
Also here is my goal for stocking.
5 Serpae Tetra
6 Panda Cory
1 Red Tailed Black Shark -
probably ok in a 40 long, but not sure;
1 Male Swordtail
3 Dwarf Loach
5 Pearl Danio -
Celestial pearl danio? If so, these guys are VERY small and can be shy with larger tankmates (I have them); plus the shark will most likely see them as food.
I won't be adding these all at once.
Someone please tell me I can fit a Plecostomus in to the mix. I would really like one but I'm not sure about my tank size.
A smaller one like a Bristlenose would work, avoid the larger ones like Commons.
Feel free to comment and give suggestions. I've been out of the fish hobby for about 30 years so I really don't know what I'm doing. No one will hurt my feelings if I'm "all wet" here.