Dec project - display tank

Hey everyone

So after debating for quite a while decided to invest in a display tank in the lounge ( upgrading the 2ft )

So need some advice

1) Tank - looking at between a 3ft and 4ft

Preferably the ones with the cabinet and light fittings included - any brands recommended such as Jebo or Sun Sun ?

If possibly a custom built tank onto of a separate cabinet eg credenza ( weight depending )

2) Filtration- possibly a Dophin cf300 mini canister ( should be around 4x the tank capacity flow rate - could be wrong )

3 ) stocking capacity

4) decently priced substrate for plant life and cories

main in reason for the upgrade is that I want to increase the school size of my black widow tetras and add other species such as cories, pearl gourami etc

will then switch the 2ft into my bettas tank and the 1.5 for quarantine and house the snail in there so can then finally add plants to the display tank

 

1. 4 ft with cabinet if possible, or a custom built tank at any of the better LFS, like Dory's in Centurion or Pet Stop in Pta.
2. CF300 would be much too small. Something along the lines of the Cascade 1200 0r 1500, Dophin C1000 or C1600. With filtration more is better.
3. Use a handy stocking calculatror, like http://aqadvisor.com/
4. Seachem Flourite, ADA Aquasoil, Amazonia - they are all expensive initially, but worth it in the long run.

 

Just a quick follow up before I forget , PFS. Will it be a better option in regards to set up cost , with root tabs obviously?

 

Rather get proper substrate from the beginning if your budget allows it.
To rescape is a hassle, and getting all the old substrate out is even worse.
Root tabs are quite expensive, and in the long run something like Seachem Flourite will work out cheaper.