bettaowner
Aquarium Advice Addict
I'd add marble hatchets to the upper area of the tank
I'd add marble hatchets to the upper area of the tank
I agree with floating plants and also maybe a pearl gourami
What does IMO mean?
I don't agree that plants are only for experienced hobbyists nor will the system crash with one wrong move. There are tons of very simple set up's with only low lights and low light tolerant plants that are so easy. But today with all the information available is it not hard for a newbie to start with a more advanced system of plants. The OP is doing his homework quite well and getting his equipment after talking through what he really needs for what he wants and is doing the same before hand with fish. Many people just go out and buy plants and fish without any research only to find out later they won't work for what set up they have. I've been in the hobby since the 70's and can honestly say with today's technology and information highway, including forums like this, having a nice planted tank as a newbie is not out of the question.
I used to run a Fluval FX5 and a Fluval 406 on the 220 but now I run 3 Fluval 406's. The FX5 was just too big of a beast for me to mess with anymore.