I have a 55 gallon octigon tank in my office at home. It is heavely planted in about three fingers of washed river sand, and some substrate decorations. No filter, 80watt heater, and grow lights. It has been set up now for about three years, and all I have done is partial (25%) water change about three times a year. When I do the water change I clean any left over algae off with a glass scubber.
The inhabitants are 20 neons, 3 cory's, 6 atocinclis (sp), and a dozen ghost shrimp. They all get along just fine, and they seem to compliment each other in this community. So far, I seem to have a good balance in the aquarium.
Rich