Looks good , but I would put the rocks on more of an angle from the front,it should help give the tank more depth than it actually has (instead of strait) the planting plan sounds good as well but I would stick the val on one side only due to how it floats along the top
so what did you end up using as a substrate? I can't tell from the pic
I would have the BN if he was a male and you lived closer (I have a female that wants a friend)