The issue with Asian aros isn't their size, his tank would be plenty big enough to house a single Asian aro for life. But with only 24" in height, having an aro along with comm fish is going to be an issue. An experienced aro keeper gets that, and the whys of that, you won't, until you get to that point. Not everything can be gleaned from an internet forum.
The problem with this tank, and the OP, is that he has zero experience with keeping fish. ZERO. In his mind if the fish fits the tank it's all good in the hood, but it won't be. Not even close.
Want to start with a big tank, I see no problem with that. Go for it. Want to start with a comm tank, with an aro and other fish? Now you have a disaster in the making. You don't even understand the basics amigo. Grow out a good size school of SD's in your tank if that species interests you, then go from there.
Or one day look back at this and regret the fact that you didn't listen to those who knew better, and were attempting to spare you the grief. Good luck.
Let's try this again. For now, forget about a comm tank of any type, with an aro. You are not even remotely close to that level of fishkeeping. That was my point above.
Get the tank, learn how your tank works, understand the basics, focus on maintaining a heathy & robust bio-bacteria colony while you keep a school of interesting fish, such as SD's, as you seemed interested in them. THEN, later on down the road, when you have mastered that - then & only then consider stepping things up.
Either find some comm fish that will be easy, non aggressive, no drama species, that will work with your school of SD's, and you will in turn learn much more about how fish behaviours mesh (or not?) and even about individual personalities within species and how they can effect a community set up.
Or if by then you are 100% certain that you are ready for an Asian aro - sell off or give away the SD's, and get a young aro to work with. Now you will have drama, behaviour that you will not know exactly how to deal with, such possible problems with its diet (they can be picky eaters), jumping, drop eye, PLJ, etc-etc-etc. Focus on the aro 100%, forget about comm anything. I'm sure that you will be back here asking many questions regarding that single fish.