New tank almost here, few questions.

WOOO!!!!! so pumped!!!! my aquarium(60 gal) is finally coming this Tuesday. After doing some thought pondering I have thought of some questions. First off, I have a fluvial 306 canister and was wondering or to place the input output. do you place it like this?
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- - I=Input O=Output do you place them on opposite sides to create flow?
- I O - OR do I not want that because its (will be) a community tank.
- -
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also do I need some kind of pre filter to stop fishes from getting sucked in?
2nd Question. When I get my tank I won't have time aquascape it right away. Is it ok to set it up and start cycling it with nothing in it then when I get the stuff I can't in all of the stuff drift wood plants and substrate. Or should I do that but put the substrate in right away(Eco-complete). OR should I just wait until I have everything to start putting water and cycling the tank.

Final Question(s): it will be a planted tank. I will have drift wood in it and possible stone(anyone know stone that looks good in a planted(natural looking) tank?) What are some good plants to get. It is low tech but I will be doing ferts and have good lighting. My current plans that I know are good are Java ferns, anubius, Java moss, Water sprite, crypt. Any other suggestions?

Thank you!!!

Ps sorry if something doesn't make sense

 

I'm not sure how a community tank would effect that, id put them on opposite sides.
as for whether it will be too strong and suck up fish, that depends on your stocking.
usually planted Tanks don't go with heavy filtration or fast water speeds.

as for stones, I like slate and sandstone, but there are numerous stones that look great with plants and even the stones I mentioned come in different color/shades. Placement is just as important as type, maybe more so..

id put substrate in right away if possible. Plants are easier to put in first, but with a little more effort, they can be done later.

remember that plants, substrate, decor. Are all surfaces for bacteria, so they can potentially speed up cycling. Plants especially, since they consume some excess nitrate.

 

Thank you!!! I will be stocking things like
Cardinal tetras
Hacket fish
pleco
Guppies
rainbow fsih
possibly GB rams
Do these fish need lower flow? If so, how would I make their be less flow in the Tank?
Thanks!!!

 

Nope, none of those are really lowflow. Maybe just make sure the flow isn't fast enough to damage starter plants before they take root.
some rainbows will be too big for the tank, depends on type.
what kinda pleco? I only ask as someone who has damaged swordplants by over eager cleaners!

 

My current plan is brittle nosed places, that's what my LFS usually has(though their are some other small species that I would love to get) and I don't remember the type of rainbows but they don't get very big.
Thank you!

 

No prob!
bns are great, ive got a tank of their fry right now. Just make sure theyre fed well, if you have broad leafed plants, they don't really eat them, but overly clean them til the leaf getsthin.

 

May I ask what type of pleco you had problems with?
So jelly of the Pleco fry

 

I have loads of bns, theyre only tough on my sword plants though.
ive got vals and things that they completely ignore.

I have 1 that has a bad habit of sleeping on one of the biggest leaves and rasping til its clear. Shes the only one who does this, so it may be a quirky personality thing.