bob_thing5

Hi, I am new to the forum, although I havnt had a tank for about 3 years I have had 3 years of active experience with a 50 gallon mainly and many other sizes as well. I am starting up for the first time in years and I want to do a planted freshwater aquarium (sorry if this is in the wrong section, I am new to the forum).
I want a 55 gallon tank preferably acrylic all clear with a light blue background, I would like built in filtration but I have noticed it costs an arm and a leg. does any body have any ideas I would like to spend 200$ on just the tank but get an acrylic with curved sides and no borders. the reason I want built in filtration is to hide as many components as possible, I want the least amount of equipment to be noticeable, so the extra space for heaters and stuff is nice.
as for the rest I plan to get the Turbo CO2 Bio-System http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...1&pcatid=14711
Eco-Complete Plant Substrate
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...87&pcatid=9087
First Layer Pure Laterite
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...76&pcatid=4876

as far as filtration goes I dont know what to get due to the fact that I dont know weather I will be getting a built in filtration system. I was thinking of getting something that removes ammonia, heavy metals and bad odor and smells, and nitrate, nitrite, and phosphates, I dont know if that is over kill but it sounds good, I know plants need phosphate but I was planning on adding Flourish Tabs in the last section of the filtration to replenish a positive amount of phosphate along with other nutrients. and I was also wondering as far as vitamin supplements and slime coats and water conditioner, bacteria ect. what are the best?
and last for lighting I wanted the Orbit Compact Fluorescent Lunar Lights its 48" long has lunar lights (something I really want) it has about 260 watts total with 4 power compact bulbs, I was also planning on gettin 2 of the 4
SunPaq Dual Daylight 6700°K/10000°K, and the other two SunPaq Daylight 6700°K, would that be the best lighting spectrum for freshwater plants?

COBettaCouple

Welcome to Fishlore. I'm not too good on plants, but I'll move your post to the plants subforum where a lot of our members who really know about plants frequent.