My new tank, ideas/feedback/suggestions welcome, this is a first for me

Hi there, I'm new to the forum,posted my intro message a while back in the new members section... So lastweek I finally got a tank, I got a Boyu LZ1200 and a Dophin C1300 canisterfilter (a lekker gumtree deal)
Thus far
added some gravel
some black earth substrate
Driftwood with moss attached (I followed the fish place’sguy’s instructions, but I think I may of hashed it up a bit)
Some plants from the fish store
And some dragon rock
And some stones from the quarry at tygervalley waterfront
So it’s been running from Thursday, with a few waterchanges done already as the shop guy advised
Overall I’m going for a community tank, but this is myfirst endeavor and would value and appreciate constructive criticism and tips
Also advice on what to stock, I have an idea of what I want(and what I don’t want) just need advice on compatability etc
Picture story to follow

 

started with gravel and black earth

 

...

 

the tank kinda setup with where I want stuff

 

Big for a start up 2c
So what you fish you plan on keeping ?

 

drift wood with some quarry stone underneath to make a hard substrate bottom

 

I would let those rock stand up straight...and try and keep the rock and wood separate. Try and get some height out of the wood. I would of put the ADA gravel at the bottom and other gravel on top. Perhaps take that uhhhm artificial thingy out.

 

central piece of driftwood

 

the other corner of the tank

 

Hi @Reedfish, I have read up on the nitrogen cycle, I do have active filter media. It seems on track for now

 

@cliffy, I would like to get a few clown loaches, a pleco (I would actually like two or dwarves instead of a common one), a rainbow fish, a few neoon tetras, 2 or 3 angels, 5 or 6 cherry barbs, 4 swordtails, and if possible with the substrate type maybe a pair of kribensis (i'll try to make a cave of sorts)

 

What volume is the tank? And what type of substrate is black earth? Like organic potting soil?

 

Hi @RoGe it is about 250L, the black earth is the same as ada the guy in the petshop told me

 

@HennieRoux what plastic thingy? the easter island head is the only plastic thingy in there, and it is from a pet store for fish tanks. How would I get the rocks to stand up straight?

 

What do you guys think about the fish I am thinking of getting? How rocky or cave like does it need to be for kribensis?

 

Nice setup bud...clown loaches & barbs always goes nice toghether

 

Anything goes, but be warned they have a tendency to drive the community fish into a corner when they have fry. Very protective parenting.

Later Ferdie

 

Not sure what the plastic thingy is, but try and go for a more natural look. Many ways to make them lean or stand up, dig them into the ground, use smaller rocks to ballance them on

 

Thanx @HennieRoux I will investigate the standing up of the rocks when I next re-arrange elements in the tank.