I'm getting a 125 set-up and I want to try a low tech discus tank

I need help though... I've only planted tanks much smaller then a 125 and with a tank this size and the type of fish I want to keep I need some solid advice.

The tank is a 72" x 18" x 22" Filtered by two ehiem 2217 canisters. Subsrate will be eco-complete (about 3" or so)


1. Lighting: how much power do I need for a tank this long and deep with slow growing plants?

2. Plants: what plants would fair well in low light and high temps(85) ? Are there any ground cover plants that could survive low light and high temps?

So far I have crypts, java ferm and some anibias on ther list but I would like a few more

3. What fish could I keep as a clean up crew in high temps?

I would not use more than say 4x96 W.
Or 6 x 39W T5's.

And use all of them only 4 hours of overlap at most per day(in 2 banks)

Regards,
Tom Barr

Thank you Tom,

I got a great deal on some t5 HO fixtures

I have two 36" 2 x 39W fixtures and one 48" 2 x54W fixture

I if run the 36" fixtures across the entire length of the tank and the one 48" in the middle of the tank will this be OK? or is it too much light to have in the middle of the tank?