I have sand. I always get in there with a python with the "big tube" disconnected, and get in past my elbow and suck up all the debris and waste by hand. I skim the sand surface as there is a more concentrated suction with that end piece removed.
I started with the carbon because I had a giant piece of malaysian DW that yellowed the water for at least 6 months.
I will take the media suggestion and will probably pick some up soon.
I have had rummys before and they are absolutely awesome.
I will probably give my friend the HY511s (they don't match well as it is) - grab 10 rummies and then bump my pristellas to 10 as those are understatedly beautiful in my tank.
This sounds like a great plan. Nice silver with red, yellow, black accents on these fish + my bright red Sev. I think the sev will POP.
I have few Sevs in my 75 but they are still small, i bought 18 lemon tetra and they are cool schooling fish. Another one that I would suggest is flame tetra.
Good luck tho, eitherway, any schooling fish are cool.