So my new 36" tank is safely sitting in my kitchen, complete with layers of plant substrate, fine gravel and chunky gravel. I've lovingly planted 2 Amazon swords, 2 vallisneria spirallis, 1 anubias nano, 1 pretty veriagated wavy leafed thing, 1 red leafed thing (that decided to split itself into 3) and a piece of bogwood complete with java fern (and possibly a little bit of java moss) rooted on it. They've been bought a temporary mini lamp until the hood arrives, is declared suitable and I work out (or am told by someone in the know) how I put lights inside it. Hopefully they'll all flurish and establish themselves nicely before the fishies arrive.

Unfortunately, the blue tinge from the aquasafe hasn't quite cleared so don't think I'll be using that brand again but the temperature is fluctuating nicely between 27.1 and 27.8 degrees. I'm sure that must be fairly normal. Haven't stuck the magnet back onto the glass yet because I'm hoping it will stay high enough without sticking at least until I can work out if that corner is the best one for it. In my old life I'd be really excited because the tank is so full of bubbles but now I'm not sure that's such a good thing.

I'm think I'm about ready to start cycling (ammonia method).

The current readings are:
pH 7.5
total hardness between 14 and 21
Carbonate hardness 20
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 15