with the measurements!

1 Bag of play sand

1-2 gallons of good clay. (I use clean yard clay- you can use PLAIN kitty litter if you'd like)

Vermiculite (helps to keep the soil from compacting)

Combine 1 part clay to about 1 part sand and vermiculite, mix thoroughly. Add this clay mixture to your tank then top with a layer (at least an inch) of sand. The addition of sand to the top keeps the clay from mucking your water up. I always have around 4 inches of substrate in my tanks, it gives the plants more room to grow and, personally, I think it looks nicer than a thin layer. I have never had a problem with toxic gas buildup. There are occasional gas pockets, but I've never lost a fish due to them. If using gravel or sand, you can stir it with a chop-stick to help prevent this buildup. Do not stir your clay as this will lead to really muddy water!

Sloping the soil towards the front of the tank can help in the removal of excess food and waste. I personally do not do this, leaning more towards a natural display I like to make hills and valleys in my Aquascape. My tank is so heavily planted, though, that I never have to vacuum it; the plants and Bio-Crew take care of any excess waste for me.

Possible Plants List:

+Java Moss (Vesicularia dubyana)

+Dwarf Hairgrass (Eleocharis parvula)

+Narrow Leaf Ludwigia (Ludwigia repens x arcuata)

+Dwarf Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri)

+Red-Stem Milfoil (Myriophyllum matogrossensis)

+Tonina sp. (Tonina)

+Stargrass, Star Grass (Heteranthera zoster folia)

+Rotala wallichii (Whorly Rotala)

+"Glosso" Glossostigma (Glossostigma gelatinoids)

Possible Fish List:

Please, research each species before adding to your aquarium.

+ Glow Light Tetras (Paracheirodon innesi )
Adult size- Up to an Inch
Required Temperature- 68-80F

+Neon Tetras (Paracheirodon innesi)
Adult size- Up to 1.5 Inches
Required Temperature- 68-80F

+Celestial Pearl Danio (Celestichthys margaritatus)

Adult size- Up to 1 Inch
Required Temperature- 73-79 F

+Scarlet Gem Badis (Dario dario)
-Adult size- Up to 1 Inch
Required Temperature- 73-79 F

+X-Ray Pristella Tetra (Pristella maxillaris)
Adult size- Up to 2 Inches
Required Temperature- 64-82

+Green Discus (Symphysodon aequifasciata)
Adult size- 8 Inches
Required Temperature- 79-86 F

+Guppy (Poecilia reticulata)
Adult size- Up to 2 Inches
Required Temperature- 64-82 F

+Chocolate Gourami (Sphaerichthys osphromenoides)
Adult size- Up to 2 Inches
Required Temperature- 75-86

+Blue Paradise (Macropodus opercularis)
Adult size- Up to 4 Inches
Required Temperature- 61-79 F

+Betta (Betta splendens)
Adult size- Up to 3 Inches
Required Temperature- 75-86 F

+Aeneus Cory Cat (Corydoras aeneus)
Adult size- Up to 2 Inches
Required Temperature- 72-79 F

+Cherry Barb (Puntius titteya)
Adult size- Up to 2 Inches
Required Temperature- 74-79 F

+Snakeskin Barb (Puntius rhombocellatus)
Adult size- Up to 2 Inches
Required Temperature- 73-82 F

+Marble Hatchet (Carnegiella strigata)
Adult size- Up to 2 Inches
Required Temperature- 75-81 F

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