Asking for course correction before I get in too deep with a new tank. I am setting up a 40 breeder with a UGF covering about 80% of the bottom -- planning on using two pipes with airstones, although I could switch to powerheads if needed. The UGF will have a layer of landscape fabric to keep detritus in the substrate, which will be primarily gravel with some sand areas for corys. Going low-tech -- no CO2, with an Aquarium Co-op light. My eventual stocking plan is a herd of 6-8 corys and two schools of 10-15 tetras, probably one thinner like bloodfin or cardinal, and one thicc variety like diamond or serpae. Maybe a trio of otos.
My plan for starting the tank is to add some filter sqeezin's from my established 5g tank and start with stem plants or rhizomes like java fern, as it seems like it would take a while to build up enough substrate nutrients to support swords, bulbs, etc. I am guessing small, regular doses of fish food would help build and maintain the bacterial biome for a couple months to get things established before adding the first residents.
Does this make sense? I realize I could add root tabs to start root feeders, but I'm a little worried the UGF will end up spraying the nutrients all over the tank.
