Here's how I normally suggest doing it:
Go with at least a 29 gallon tank. If you want to do a naturalistic set up, I highly recommend setting up a PVC/lighting panel false bottom. You can find guides on doing this all over the place. I usually use lighting panel, then fiberglass window screen on top of that, and then coconut fiber sheets on top of that. I buy the round coconut fiber sheets that you use in hanging baskets, and cut it to fit. Then put your bedding on top of that. I usually use coir mixed with either fir bark, or hardwood mulch. If you want a background, the easiest, most natural looking way is to glue some cork bark panels on the back. This will let you grow some epiphytic orchids and bromeliads on the back of the tank, and plant the bottom. Use a screen cover, with glass over half of it. On the open side, place a small heating lamp, of just 25 watts or so...maybe 50 if the room is cold. Then set up fluorescent lighting however you want over the rest of the tank.
I also recommend leaving enough room on the bottom of the tank for you to place a small glass bowl with crickets in it at night. This will allow it to feed, without endangering your plants with hungry crickets.
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