Eheim ECCO filter 2236 (although I don't know if I should get a classic model--looking for something quiet and good that has locks on the hoses so I don't make a mess)

Rena 400 air pump (I plan on running a bubble river, perhaps a bubble wall, whatever, LOVE air toys)

Glo t5 HO 36" double fixture with one power glo and one life glo bulb (I chose this fixture because of the mounting options, which I need, but don't know if this is overkill)

a 200W titanium heater

a Hydor Ario turbo air pump with moonlight light

I was thinking about small colored gravel because I can't grow a plant to save my life, and am afraid to try live plants (am kinda open to it tho)

I'm trying to set up a relatively low maintenance tank. I haven't had fish for about 15 years, and I remember having big chemical problems--my fault, I know it--I overstock and tend to over-mother (read as overfeed). I swear I'll be good this time. The lighting may be too much since the tank is only about 17" deep, but I'm concerned that a single strip won't be good because the tank is so deep front to back.

This is one heck of an investment, and I'm scraping as it is to set up a good tank with no regrets that will leave me options later, such as live plants, or even salt water someday. It needs to be able to handle overstocking (I want a lot of little tetras, platy's, maybe one nice fish, nothing big). I'm willing to wait if I need to get something better, I expect to not be stocking this tank for at least 4 months or so....so what do you all think?

As far as stocking goes, you can look up the freshwater spreadsheet that can be found via the link in my signature. As to the other details, there is a ton of play room.

Your filtration and lighting sound like they are a bit more than you need (not necessarily a bad thing), but my major concern is how you choose to cycle your tank. Simply letting the tank run for four months won't do much. Instead, cycling usually takes somewhere between 10-56 days depending on the following things:

1. Type and consistency of ammonia source (bacteria need ammonia to grow, otherwise there is no filtration).
2. How much bacteria is introduced from the beginning (more bacteria equates to less cycling time).

I'd suggest using the forum search to find info one cycling. Good keywords include cycling, fishless cycling, bactrite, bactrate, cocktail shrimp, silent cycle, etc.

I hope this helps. Do you have any more questions?

MOA

Check Out the Freshwater Stocking Guide: http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic132702-5-1.aspx

MOA's: How Many Fish: http://sites.google.com/site/moashowmanyfish/

I've also looked at the fish chart for compatability, read the review section, I didn't get to bed til 5am this morning because you guys have so much here, and I thank you all for everything I've learned and the mistakes you have already saved me from making!

I just get nervous putting out so much money for something non-essential (well, it's essential to my personal stress level), but this is one of those 'buy once, buy well' situations, y'know?

A 40-gallon tank is a big investment. I recently set up a 40 for my snake and that set me back about 300 dollars. Of coarse, fish can be much more expensive.

MOA

Check Out the Freshwater Stocking Guide: http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic132702-5-1.aspx

MOA's: How Many Fish: http://sites.google.com/site/moashowmanyfish/

MOA

Check Out the Freshwater Stocking Guide: http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic132702-5-1.aspx

MOA's: How Many Fish: http://sites.google.com/site/moashowmanyfish/

MOA

Check Out the Freshwater Stocking Guide: http://board.fishchannel.com/Topic132702-5-1.aspx

MOA's: How Many Fish: http://sites.google.com/site/moashowmanyfish/

I haven't gotten to read about sumps yet, I have a vague idea tho. I'm happy to have access to someone with such knowledge...although I'm an extremest by nature, and fish are so addicting, this could be a bad thing lol!

Be fore warned...............MTS,can strike at any moment

Shakespere says...to be or not to be?

Fish hobbiests say....To buy or not to buy!

So can IBS, which I just now thought of (In my head) lol. IBS is: Impulse Buying Syndrome.

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10/31/09 Bought Jade and Houndini!
12/06/09 Houndini molted for the first time!
Male Fiddler Crab ~ Houndini (courtesy of himself)
Female Fiddler Crab ~ Jade (courtesy of Phishgirl and the pet name generator)
Male Fiddler Crab- Unnamed
Female Fiddler Crab- Unnamed

1 Male Zebra Finch and 1 Unknown sex bronzewing (possibly society) finch.

Various fish and tanks