Helping a friend set up a planted tank

@A new day
We shall call you the Interior Designer of Aquariums soon...

 

Nice project and well thought out factors.
Generally speaking, I'd suggest a setup that is less prone to algae outbreaks (ie. low tech) as that can quickly put people off of things.
If you go custom, especially optiwhite, I'd also be wary of sand to start, unless you put forward the concern for accidental scratches and show them how to avoid that.
Especially if they're aesthetically minded in general, scratches can also really frustrate.

Foot print - just bear in mind ease of maintenance. Not sure if the tank height should consider their kids, but personally I'd try avoid bracing or thick glass. A standard 60cm Starfire, as at RBM, would be good as an in-store reference maybe?
Rimless or closed, also one to factor kids into. Even potential risk of contaminants from household cleaning products, depending on position.
Lighting will I guess be determined by closed or open top, but the usual Zetlight options would work?

Their CT water will likely be soft, so one will probably need to suggest a KH booster of sorts. If keeping shrimp, then perhaps something specifically optimised for them (combined KH + GH) instead of say Seachem Alkaline buffer.
Maybe hardness kits are not necessary, but with shrimp I'd want some. At the least, a TDS pen from Takealot. Crushed coral as a passive buffer might also be good, although I tend to only use powder buffers these days.

Substrate - I usually suggest a tried and true option like ADA or Langa, for planted tanks- they just need to be on top of the necessary water changes during early days. Or, something like Flourite Black and a couple root tabs as needed.
I've tried out the new Epic Aquatics ones and they work very well.

MTS - wary of that suggestion, as they became a nightmare for me after a while, multiplying like crazy! Took me ages to get them out once I reset the tank. I didn't have a Cory and shrimp cleaning crew though.

For stocking, I'd definitely advocate a staggered approach, keeping it light in general. Just minimises likelihood of problems.
I find that if one isn't experienced in the hobby, they sort of need to stay between the lines so to speak, taking a safe and steady approach. My primary mistakes, getting back in the hobby, were overstocking + lacking knowledge of hardness/ buffers (zero KH buffer, so pH dropped).
Also, a QT tank, but to start that isn't strictly really necessary. Maybe from the 2nd round of livestock?

Look forward to seeing it come together! Green Aqua channel will get anyone excited for a planted tank.

 

Is prime, stability and purigen absolutely necessary ? Reason for asking is that it’s quite costly setting up from scratch. I have personally never used these and have not had any problems or a need for these in the 13 years I have been in the hobby. Cost is a big factor when starting out .

 

Never used prime, stability . Using RO water? What do you use to remove chlorine from tap water if not using RO water. Stability great for starting up new tank and 'stability' when adding new fish, after wc's.

Unless you are using other water conditioners?

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Your list is BIG - try and break it down into phases ... you do not want to scare them on day 1.

Custom stand with good weight distribution on that wooden floor.

In a lounge tank, everything needs to be hidden - so canister under the tank with either a fake enclosure, or a proper cabinet. Depending on lights .. timer. If it is an active use area, like a where the TV is, then lilly pipes to reduce water flow sound?

Later Ferdie

 

Perhaps something to share with the kids?

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The cycle makes so much more sense now I know about the lazer eyes