Stocking ideas - 4ft planted tank

As the title suggests, I am planning on rescaping and planting a 4ft tank.
Dimensions of the tank are 120 (L) x 45 (W) x 55 (H)
The tank is not very wide, which should limit plants going into the tank.

Filtration consists of a Cascade 1200 Canister, and a sponge filter for surface movement.
Heating is done by 2 x 300W El Cheapo's that have given sterling service so far.
Lighting will consist of a 120cm Odyssea Duo with 2 x 54W T5's.

The tank currently houses a lot of guppies, some mollies, swords, 10 x Harlequin Rasbora, 1 Moonlight Gourami, 2 Leopard Danio and 3 Ancistrus.

Substrate will be Seachem Flourite Black, with the current gravel as a base layer to give some hight in places.

Plants planned at this stage are Amazon Swords, Anubias Jumbo & Nana, Java Fern & Moss, Bolbitus, and possibly something like Cabomba to act as a filler against the back of the tank.
There are also a couple of nice driftwood pieces that will be going into the tank.

Everything in the tank can be housed in other tanks, so stocking ideas will also be welcome.

 

Fish that are currently in the 4ft will be moved to species specific tanks, with a 3ft community tank for the oddballs.
The wife likes the idea of the busy 4ft with all the different fish in it, but it doesn't make for a very good display.

 

Seems the tank is going to be high-tech after all.
Got a complete CO2 system together with the new lights, substrate and plants.

 

You'll have to decide what's going to be the most important...plants or livestock...then work around that!!

For instance...you say you going high-tech...so if you have very feathery plants (just an example), you prolly wont be able to add something like tiger barbs or rummynose tetras...as they'll chow the tips.

Personally...I got fish I loved...imported them and built my tank around them...i.e. all the spiderwood and anubias to give enough hiding spots for my apistogramma trifasciatas. Using crypts and only a few stems to create hiding spots but also leave enough free swimming space for the CPD's and especially the Kubotai.

Other people are plant first...so they imagine this great aquascape...then add livestock afterwards that will compliment the plants...

 

Thanks for that advice @Deadpool.
At the moment I am planning on adding just Amazon Swords, various Anubias, Java Fern @ Moss, and then Bolbitis and possibly some Crypts and Cabomba for height.

Got the substrate and lighting today, but have to work this weekend.
Also got some awesome driftwood pieces from @gwshorten that are soaking in a tub.

I plan on doing the aquascaping early next week.
The current fish will have to stay until I can replace them with whatever I decide on.

 

The tank at the moment.



The after picture will be posted as soon as I have completed the rescaping.

 

Have you tried a black background. I think it adds a very nice effect to the tank and keeps in the light.

I also have rocks as you saw. Might be a bit big but could always go at them with a hammer for smaller sizes! There are a few small ones left.

And if you are interested my gf and I have decided that we are moving away from Angel's.. we want to do smaller fish in our tanks now. So I'll be selling my pure black angel who is beautiful and then a smaller golden white angel

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I have been toying with the idea of going for a black background, which together with the black Flourite that will be going in as substrate, could look quite nice.
The wife likes the blue background though, and IRL it is darker than the photo shows.
At the moment I am going to stick with the fish that are currently in the tank, until such a time as I can get something the wife and I both agree on.

 

Always a great feeling when both partners agree on something

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Anything to keep the peace...

 

It almost looks like I am starting a nursery.
Most of the plants waiting to go onto the 4ft when it is completely rescaped.

 

Where have you been doing your shopping? Nice plants

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I have been pounding the pavement, getting bits and pieces from various shops.
Some shops are worth visiting, some others I had one look and walked away...

Wait until you see the end result.
It is going to be A-Mazing

 

Always is the case! Be careful with your petrol as its running out

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Those driftwood pieces I got from you have been soaking almost a week, and together with the plants I got I think it is going to be a successful rescape.
Decided to go the high-tech route, and have the CO2 setup and lighting waiting to go in.
Hopefully everything will be worth it in the end.

 

Before the rescape:



Fish caught, plastic decorations removed, and water draining out.



Hardscape going in.



Plants in, and water filling up again.



Fish back in with water still very cloudy.



Give it 3 months, and let's see the difference.

 

Good job! Going to look amazing

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One day later, and things are starting to settle down.
CO2 is running, and I can almost hear the plants growing.
In 1 month things should look a little different.