Tank setup, advice appreciated

[chunksofpoooo]

Any opinions or advice on the setup would help a great deal,
thanks in advance


FOATING PLANTS
Phylanthus Fluitans
Ricca Fluitans
Egeria Densa Elodea Anacharis

FOREGROUND PLANTS/MIDGROUND
Dwarf Sagittaria
Nymphaea daubenyana
green tiger lotus

BACKGROUND/MIDGROUND PLANTS
Java fern

MISC
Swahala driftwood
Rocks


FILTER
--Eheim Liberty 200--

Eheim Liberty 200 hang-on filter
Pump output 200 GPH. Pump uses 6 watts.
Advanced 3D pleated cartridge designed for 100% more filtration area.
Bio foam cartridges sit in by-pass area to guarantee maximum
biological filtration. Water does not flow through Bio foam cartridge.
It flows by it for longer contact time and non-blocking effect.
Easy impeller removal for cleaning or maintenance. 2 year guarantee.


Substrate:
--CaribSea Eco-Complete Planted Aquarium--
Iron rich which eliminates the need for laterite and is also Nitrate
and carbonate free which will not increase pH or carbonate hardness.
There is no artificial dye, paint or chemical coating.
The Eco-Comlete also contains live Heterotrophic Bacteria to rapidly
convert fish waste into natural food for your aquatic plants.
The Eco-Complete also creates a natural biological balance which
makes cycling in a new aquarium faster and safer.


20g SeaClear Acrylic Rectangular Aquarium




Thats about it, minus a few things, which are the same things that i need advice on:

What size heater should i get for a 20g tank like this (Butterfly fish and maybe a few neons, most likely guppies though; the butterfly should keep them in check)?

Im unsure about the Filter, from what i read it should be ok, but im new to the hobby.

The aquarium listed above is a little over $100 (includes top and lighting i hope), that seems a little expensive. Should i just go buy a 20g from walmart and get all the things seperate?

The substrate is natural, should i go with that, or should i just buy some aquarium gravel?



note
doing fishless cycle w/ NH4Cl

 

[schiejr]

It looks like you are thinking about buying the setup mentioned? 100 is not bad for an acrylic setup with lights and filter and furnishings. Drawback is acrylic scratches easier-only use an algae scrubber rated for it and careful with rocks. Pluses-stronger than glass and will not shatter.

I would use a 75 watt max. Ebo-jagers are a good brand. Depends on your room temp and and target temp. but that will be plenty for most circumstances.

Butterfly may keep your neons in check also if they get near.

Filter should be fine. I like the natural substrates myself. I would keep it, you can always change later if desired.

 

[chunksofpoooo]

if im going to have the plants listed, am i to presume i wont need an air pump at all?

 

[LongTime]

IMO, airpumps are optional 99.9% of the time.

 

[TKOS]

No air pump is needed unless there is a major oxygen shortage. And at that point take some water out and let the filter make more splash.