[melbourne]

Hi,

I'm converting my 55 FW Community tank to a planted tank and I had a few question. My goal is to low-medium light plants. The tank currently houses a mix of tropical fish (livebearers (platy/guppies,cherry barbs,a large pleco, and various corys). Filtration is via Emperor 400 powerfilter. Substrate is rounded small pebbles. I've already purchased the following to help with the conversion.

A bag of eco-complete substrate - to place around the newly introduced plants.

Two nutrifin Natural Plant Systems

For lighting I plan on purchasing a 2x65W Aqualight with 6700k bulbs.
Eventually I plan on swapping out the Emperor 400 for a canister.
For plants I plan on buying about 20-25 low light plants from Aquariumplants.com

Questions:

1. Will my pleco be plant safe? Its the biggest fish in the tank currently.
2. Will 1 bag of substrate be enough for my tank or should I get more?
3. What is the best way of securing the plants in the substrate? Planting blocks, metal/plastic clips, or those decorative lava rock planters?

Thanks,
-Mike