I ended up getting a submersible filter, as it was a lot cheaper than buying a canister filter. I took out the water fall to open up the pond area for them. I used the rocks to build up around the filter and to build an area where they will be able to get in and out of the water safely. I am going to be getting pebbles to put in the water sometime this week to finish the look.

As for the lighting, I got a daylight bulb. For nighttime viewing I got a moonlight bulb (its blue), but I will need to take it back as it did not work at all (defective). When I was at the store, the rep there told me that I should be using the infared bulbs for nighttime viewing. To me this did not make much sense, as they are fairly bright (and I have a dimmer for my lights). Should I be using the infared bulbs or should I be using the moonlight bulbs?

I want to grow some water plants, not really sure what yet (was thinking those bamboo looking plants that stick out of the water). I just wanted to know what do I need to know about doing this? What sort of substrate needs to be in the water to allow this sort of plant to survive?