Low Tech equipment questions? Advice Needed.

So my girlfriend just bought me a 40b for my birthday and I was thinking of going low tech since I had no plans to start another tank. I would be on a budget so I just wanted to know if what I had laying around would work ok.

I have a eheim 2217 that I could use for filtration. Would that be enough?

I have a 24" 2x24w GLO T5HO fixture from a previous set up. Would this be too much light and would the 6' gap on either side be a problem since the tank is 36"? I could suspend it.

I was also toying with purchasing two finnex stingrays and mounting them directly on the tank. If the t5 fixture doesn't work, would this be good lighting for a low tech non CO2 tank.

I plan on using Tom's suggested substrate and have most the other things needed for scaping and what not. It's basically the hardware that I'm struggling with.

The tank would probably just consist of crypts, java fern, moss, maybe blyxa, and perhaps some redish plants. Wanna go with a islandy look with branchy manzanita and a bit of rock.

Also would a base of Black diamond look bad if I wanted to cap it with light or white substrate? Not sure on this one.

Any help is appreciated!

As always

Kev