Thank to those who complimented.
First Its been up now for 5 weeks and as its a 29 gallon eclipse system that came with 2 20watt strips. I added a 3rd Helios T5-II 13 watt strip. I went with a blue buld because it really brings out the colors of the cardinal tetras. It wasn't until I posted here that I found out that the blue light does very little for the plants. I am planning on adding a 4th strip next week hopefully. I can already tell that my reddish plants are losing their leaves and or red color. Hopefully that will work. I play poker for a living and have been on a massive down swing so funds are tight as my bankroll is getting a little small for my liking all of which means I'm not sure when I will be able to get the addtional light. Hopefuly I will have a good wekend and can cash out some extra as early as monday. I am also working on 3 55 gallons and as of today my ad gave me his 125 gallon tank so I am sort of spreading things around
For the plants i really didnt do any planning I just bought whatever I could find at lfs's that looked appealing. My dad has taken the summer off so its been fun just going from shop to shop with him finding whatever we can.
The tank curently houses a shoal of Cardinal Tetras, 5 Red Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlds and a red tail shark and I designed it with these fish in mind. The slopping rock work provides enough caves and hiding places for the Cockatoo's to be happy but at the same time keeps them to the front where I can see them. I kept the front top portion of the tank free of plants and made it very dense as it moves back for the Cardinals. This I hope makes them feel safe and gets them to shoal out front.
for clean up I have 4 otto's, 3 red cherry shrimp and 3 amino shrimp.
I'm not completly satisfied with the tank right now but except for the light I am going to just leave it alone for the next three weeks and see what happens.
/pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jeremy_hanse...hiYCgBB4W85ROG4
Your plants are doing great. 
whats the lighting on that tank? watts, type? thats awsome
