Many thanks for the replies, so Ok here goes......
An initial small project, we have 2 sideboards, one is 72cm x 42cm and the other is 138cm x 47cm the small one has a 30l BiOrb on it, this would go, a second project is too have a tank on the larger sideboard almost as big, (I've sat and visualised this as a feature) but this would have to wait as the missus wants to move house within the next 18 months to somewhere bigger.
So initially say a 20ltr to get started, (keep checking out Gumtree for local sales of tanks) I take on board what Iain said 'buy cheap, buy twice' I believe in the same.
Why a planted aquarium? well SWMBO just can't believe what can be created, so any fish stocking would be secondary and have taken on board that 'shoals' of the same type of fish are the better option, because the feature is the plants.
Having viewed various journals etc it appears that Co2 injection is the way to go whilst it's high maintenance I work from home so I can dedicate time to this.
External filters, there's so much on the market, I was at Swallow Aquatics at Aldham nr Colchester on Saturday, and they had 1 of these setup
http://www.swallowaquatics.co.uk/28231/ ... ystem.aspx looked impressive have had a look on the fluval-g website as well.
Cant go wrong with eheim, if your looking at 20lt something like a 2213 would be great. Again, obtaining good flow is a great start!
The next is Co2, got to be pressurised in my opinion, can't be doing with these DIY things, but again which one/type?
DIY sucks, unstable CO2 causes issues with our nemesis algae.
The real confusion is substrate, I've watched setup's with sand, sand and soil, soil, sand, soil and gravel it's a minefield without the mines...
There are plenty of options to research, ADA is generally considered the best but has a price. Great for nano tanks but tends to be unrealistic for most people with large tanks. Florabase, eco complete etc all have good CEC ability - the abilty to store and slow release nutrients.
As to tank, I think open, which means lighting, which means something like this...
http://www.aquaessentials.co.uk/lightin ... f7ad5b1c2d again what type of bulb, how big etc.
Depends on the tank size.. there is a growing opinion that light is far less important than people build it up to. CO2, flow, substrate and ferts are the deal breakers.
As to design, well I'll leave that to the boss, she's definitely better at that.......however,
she did have her eye on a fluval edge when we were in Aldham, I've tried researching on adding Co2 to that and came across a site that had managed to get this into the back of the fluval itself.....but it was American.
Fluval edge look nice and George Farmer has done some very nice scapes in them, however access is a PITA and can limits choices. Have a look at TGM at the opti white nanos for nice options.
It also appears both from research and your comments that most of the items needed will have to be sourced online.
Many thanks
Geoff
Hopefully you will avoid most of the simple mistakes with the huge resource of knowledge on this forum.
