New Tank..need Help

[Jamie87]

I'm gonna be getting a 55gal tank soon (tomorrow I think) and I want to have a sand bottom tank with live plants.

What kind of sand do I use..Play sand?
And do I have to have somesthing else on the bottom..to help the plants grow? Cause there's this stuff for planted tanks to have as a substrate..do I need that?

Should I get the tank set up..wait for it to cycle then add the plants? Or add the plants right after I get water in it?


Also..one more thing..

What kind of stuff do I need for the plants..like what lighting?

I plan to have swords, java fern, banana plants..and some others prolly...any sugestions?..


And also..in case you need to know..I plan on having mostly tetras.
3 long fined red minor
3 black phantom tetra
{^will they school together^}
5 rasbora het
5 von rio flame tetra
3/4 cories
a striped raphael catfish
a pleco.
Maybe a bumble bee catfish ... but they get bout 6 inches.
Would that be too much??
Any sugestions for like a main fish? Like a center piece fish?

 

[xoedusk]

I can answer your question on sand. Well, sort of. There's a great pinned topic, I think on the beginner forums, about sand. Take a look at this.

 

[Jamie87]

Alright. thank you.