I agree, let the ice thaw as is. No sense rushing it if there's risk of damaging the tank.
Filter: Marineland Emperor 280.
Plants: For low light, you can't go wrong with the various crypts, anubias, and Java ferns. Many mosses will also thrive in low light as well. My favs are anubias for the ability to tie them to driftwood for easy maintenance/gravel vacs/rearranging as well as their hardiness.
Fish: 6-8 cories, 15-20 smaller tetras (2" or less) like lemons or green neons or Cochu's blue tetra, and a single ram or krib (pairs will destroy your community tank when breeding, 10 dead diamond tetras in a 75g can attest to that!).
Decor: Driftwood!
Substrate: Doesn't really matter. If you have rooted plants in the substrate, you can either spend money on a plant-specific substrate and then, when the pre-loaded nutrients are used up, dose with ferts/root tabs. OR you can save you money and get regular gravel or sand (hardware supply stores have it cheaper, just make sure no mildewcides/chemicals) and dose with ferts. Low light generally doesn't need too much for ferts, except for heavy root feeders like crypts.