redstrat

I'm currently in the planning stages of a major re-scape of my 75gallon aquarium. I know I haven't posted any pics of the current scape but I haven't really been happy with the scape as it is plus I've been busy and battling aglae so I just haven't thought of it as ready for show yet. Anyway, I've had the algae under control for a couple months but I'm waiting to get a little more money for a pressurized CO2 system to replace my current DIY setup and to order some new plants. So for now this whole thing is just on paper and I'm using the current scape as a learning scape to prepare for the re-scape. I'm planning on using all of the same equipment except the CO2 changes I mentioned before so it will still be High Light with a Filstar filter and EI fert dosing.

Click Here to see a rough pic of my future layout/planting plan. I'm open to any suggestions comments on plant choices layout ect... I do want to lay out some things that are important to me though. This aquarium can be viewed from the front and left side very easily so I'm trying to make it work both ways. I'm trying to encorporate a path that passes through to the back of the aquarium and comes out on the left side basically creating a planted island or mound when viewed from the left.

Substrate:
I will be using flourite where the plants are and probably white 3m colorquartz or silica sand in the exposed forground areas. any pros or cons to doing this other than the obvious mixing that can occur?

Driftwood:
I'm planning to add driftwood this time from manzanita.com (should I get the sandblasted or red variety? which size package should I buy, small or large?). I'm not sure if I want some of the wood to stick out of the top but it is an option as my tank is open top. Are there any pros or cons to doing this?

the background will be solid black.

Anyway I realize this is probably way more detail than anyone would like to know at this point but thats to bad. Any comments or suggestions are welcome.