I think java fern, sword plants (melon, amazon, echinodorus species), cryptocoryne plants and vallisnerias will be great in your tank to start with. I have found that the striped rapheal will break stem plants during the night (they are noctural) and that could be quite frustrating for you. Then again, remember that it is their home.
If you find that the sword plants get too big, prune some of the leaves and don't let it grow so wild where the stalks reach the surface. The newer leaves will come back smaller.
I remember a time when my loaches kept rearranging the java moss and I had to stick my hand in the tank on a daily basis to change things around. It wasn't until someone pointed out that it was their home that I let it go.
Those HOB filters will be fine. Slowly add an all in one nutrient solution (seachem flourish, tetra flora, etc..) when you notice deficiencies in the plant leaves. Once you have that under control, your addiction will grow and you will want to come over to the dark side of co2.
BTW, I think you did an awesome job of staining that shop light. Why didn't I think of that?