I have a 5g planted tank with some random swords (they're from a friend's tank, so I'm not sure what species they are, although they look like Amazon Swords, but much smaller), a java fern, and some java moss. I have a 1/4-1/2 in. layer of flourite underneath another 1/2-3/4 in. of medium-sized gravel and some river stones. I just have a standard aquarium spectrum bulb and that seems to do the trick and a little AquaClear filter. I have a couple otos and some fancy guppies in there along with some ghost shrimp. It's been up and running for a little over a year now.

Do cherry shrimp! They love all the plants and they look great. Maybe a big Nerita snail or two. If you want to do fish, Endler's livebearers stay small and are pretty hardy IMO. Maybe a few of those??? This will be a really cool tank; I think the tiny one's are lots of fun

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When in doubt, do a water change.