my plants are plastic too and are 36 inches. not cycling yet, building the stand currently and buying the airpump and filters. i have my list and am halfway there. next is finish stand buy plumbing and purchase the rest of the fish and decor. i have half of the decor and half of the fish allready. it should be done by mid august. i have had the tank since march 19 2010, but have been planning this for over 2 years, it started as a plan to upgrade my 30 gallon with 2 baby pictus after my originals died after 6 years, to a 55 gallon and add an oscar and a blood parrot. but i am now doing a 125 with 13 individual fish and about 7 species. wow