60 Gal freshwater questions

I hope I get some help from you guys. I've researched the best canister filters, as well as best lighting sets, and I keep getting different suggestions and opinions from different websites, as well as sales people.
I want a canister filter that will not leak (I have wood floors). Easy to maintain. That will keep the tank very clean. I also want to get the "lunar" effect in a set up that automatically turns the lights on and off as I programmed, that fits to the top of the tank with legs (tank is 48x12).
I was thinking of black sand, live plants that are appropriate for australian rainbow fish, with rocks, and maybe some school fish.
I was recommended the following:
Lighting: Coralife Lunar Aqualight Deluxe (double Strip) 48', plus 2 65 W pink bulbs, or a T5 with Lunar lights from Aquatic Life with built in timer, plus 2 pink bulbs for the plants
Filter: Fluval 305 or 405; Marineland Canister C360, or Eheim 2026

What do you think. Please help me decide for the proper items, so that my tank looks beautiful, my fish are happy, have babies, and my wife doesn't kick me out for starting with a new project that gets so complicated, that I have no time to keep up.
Thank you

 

Look at Current USA's Sundial. It has built in timers and is generally considered a decent light setup.

As for filter. I would recommend the newer Fluval. It has drop-in cartridges. No hoses to disconnect to do maintenance. Would keep that floor pristine.

 

Thank you so much. I'll check it out

 

I decided to go with the Eheim canister 2028 and the AQuatic life T5 double strip with lunar and 2 white bulbs, 1 soft white and 1 pink for plants
black sand
now I need to know the best live plants for small Australian Rainbow fish.

 

Iv been running one of the fluval 205's for a couple of years now. It is an awesome filter and has a great disconnect mechanism but it does drip a bit.

 

Thank you. The drip tip it's so important to me.

 

With the importance of no dripping being a big concern for you why not consider an HOB filter. The bio wheel types do an awesome job.

Another tip:
If you will be placing your canister filter in a stand out of view consider putting it in a small rubber made container so when you disconnect any drips fall into that container. Then when you remove the can filter you can remove the rubber made and dump out any water that lands in it. This may also save your floor in the even of a filter leak.

 

great idea to avoid wet floors

I'm actually getting a canister from Eheim 2028. The idea about the rubber or plastic container is excellent. Thank you.

Do you know what type of live plants and sand/mix are best for Australian rainbow fish?;D