165G update
So, it's been a while. Had some more progress on the tank - and a few misadventures - over the last few months.
I've settled on a clown loach and rainbowfish community with a few others thrown in the mix and I've been slowly building the stock. Haven't done anything more with the plants since the January posts. Java Fern is barely hanging in there, but the lighting is soon to be upgraded. Have some algae and diatoms on the back of the tank and a touch on some of the rocks, but nothing that won't soon be food.
Stock:
7 clown loach
4 rainbow bosemani
4 emerald rainbow
4 turqoise rainbow (currently in QT)
3 bala sharks (1 large, 2 juvinile)
6 scissortail rasbora
3 bristlenose pleco (currently in QT)
2 ottos
1 zebra danio
Filtration: 2 Rena XP3. Funny story...I just set up the second XP3 on Sat. Before that I had an old AC110 (running with the first XP3) that I used to cycle the tank. I had intentions to set up the second filter but kept putting it off. Come down to check on the tank one morning and found about 15 gallons of water on the floor after the filter media became clogged. Dumb luck that I caught it when I did. A rug sopped most of it up and I was able to clean up the rest before it got into the floor. Rug dried out after a couple days in the sun. No harm, no foul - though the wife rolled her eyes, a lot. Time to set up the second filter.
Lighting is still crap...I think the Mrs. is getting me and upgrade as a b-day gift.
Heater was upgraded recently as well. The heater that came with the tank just wasn't consistent. I replaced that with a 300W stealth to go with the 200W stealth I already had.
Guess that's about it. Feedback is welcome.