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[PaintGuru]

Well I leak tested my 92 gal cube and it seems to be holding water again, so I need to start shopping for equipment. The plan right now is to have a planted tank with an array of basic fish. It looks like canister filters are the way to go for filtration. Any suggestions on which one to get? I'd like to keep the budget reasonable. Beyond that, from what I read, I just need some gravel, maybe some driftwood, and start the cycling process.

[cjdevito]

Well, it kind of depends on how seriously "planted" you want the tank to be. Let me lay out a few of the ways you could go...

No Tech: Basically a strip light, a filter (power or canister) and a heater. Plants will be limited to low light stuff like mosses, java fern, crypts, anubias.

Low tech: Somewhat stronger lighting, maybe 2-3 NO tube. Filter (power or canister) and a heater. Plants open up a bit, stuff like swords and water sprite should probably do okay.

Mid Tech: Stronger lighting, maybe an el cheapo 2 bulb t5 fixture. Maybe use some specialized gravel or additives (laterite, flourish, maybe ADA aquasoil). Possibly muck around with home made CO2 (yeast based). Power filter, or canister filter (if you use CO2, use the canister) and a heater. Most stem plants (myrio, ludwigia, etc) will do fine like this. The only thing I wouldn't really try are the super-exotics (downoi, for example) or foreground carpet plants (HC, UG, hairgrass,etc).

Hi Tech: Strong lighting, say 4 tube t5. Specialized gravel (aquasoil), additives (fertilizers and flourish). Canister filter with an in-line heater. Pressurized CO2, bubble counter, drop checker, diffuser. Keep anything you want.

Any of the above will work. It just depends on what you want.

[PaintGuru]

Thanks for the great reply. I may start with my metal halide system (not sure yet), since my footprint is 30x30 and I'm not sure T5s would put out enough light at an economical price (may try LEDs at some point).