Reddit mentions of Jardin Aquarium Fish Tank Air Flow Control Lever Pump Single Way Valve, 4-Piece

1. Air pump looks fine. I am personally a fan of the Tetra Whisper pumps...they are just really quiet. On that note, get air valve like these (https://www.amazon.com/Jardin-Aquarium-Control-Single-4-Piece/dp/B00880E10E/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1491410374&sr=8-4&keywords=aquarium+air+pump+flow+valve). This will be your main method of controlling the flow into your filter.
   
   
2. Good job choosing the master test kit. Like it was said before, those strips are absolutely worthless :).
   
   
3. My main reason for responding. The heater you have chosen is not only a good size for your tank, but I personally always recommend getting a heater that has a wattage that is for a larger tank than what you are using it in. The reasoning is simple: A higher wattage heater has to work less to keep the water temperature stable. That means it is on less, and has less stress on it over it's lifetime. Furthermore, IF a heater malfunctions and fries your fish, the wattage is not going to matter. You are most likely not going to be staring at your thermometer and wont notice that your temp is going up soon enough to save your fish, regardless of heater wattage.
   
   
4. Great idea getting an analog thermometer. I would also pick up some of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N9663GI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 . They are cheap and it is nice to have a second way of checking temp to confirm.
   
   
5. Gravel vacuums are not all created equal. I live and die by Python products. And this one is a third of the price of what you were going to buy: https://www.amazon.com/Python-Pro-Clean-Aquarium-Gravel-Squeeze/dp/B00BDPFYEI/ref=sr_1_3?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1491410615&sr=1-3&keywords=python+gravel+vacuum. You will need to get a piece of tubing to connect to the output but it is extremely cheap at any hardware store.
   
   
6. The lighting looks fine.
   
   
7. The filter looks fine, I only really use hang-on-back or canister filters so I can't really offer an opinion on the filter you've chosen.
   
   
8. Seachem Prime is the shiiiiznit. Best water conditioner out there.

Just went through my box of fish goods. Probably the best things (which I coincidentally got off Amazon) are random airline accessories. One-way valves, random connectors, suction cups, and a pack of check valves have all proven useful. It's great having extra pieces for whenever you need one. I built a drip acclimation line that I saw for sale somewhere with these parts, I have two DIY sponge + K1 filters that I needed one-way valves for to regulate the airflow, etc. Just so many uses :)

Some other good purchases:

Seachem Purigen

Bubble Counter - for DIY CO2 or DIY in-tank brine shrimp hatchery

Yeast - for DIY CO2

Metal Faucet Adapter - for gravel vacuum that attaches to your sink

Pre-filter Sponge Pack

Yes. If you perfectly replicated the design in the video, all you would need to do is put an air control valve somewhere in the airline and turn the bubbles down. His design is a bit overkill. A single stream of bubbles would be enough movement to keep the water in the cultivator fresh.

Since I don't have a filter or heater on the tank, I was thinking of using the airstone just to ensure there was some water flow through the tank. Plus it would assist in CO2/O2 exchange. I'm still considering using the airstone, though you are right that limiting airflow is a must. Have you ever used an air flow regulator (ie. https://www.amazon.com/Jardin-Aquarium-Control-Single-4-Piece/dp/B00880E10E)?

Thanks for the plant ideas! I think for now I'll let my tank cycle and settle in for a month or two before I decide on what plants I'd like to add. My goal is to have the back covered in Vals and the front left covered in DHG. Other plants would just be a bonus! By the way, I did pull the Anubias up out the substrate a bit to ensure the rhizome was uncovered. Since the roots were fairly long, I didn't have to tie it down.

In regards to shrimp, I have a few ghost shrimp but I still find them hard to see. I'd love to go with a few RCS though! How many do you think would be initially appropriate for 2 gallons?