I have added substrate and the most important part... water!

I decided to go with a mixture of substrate. The bottom layer (1.5") is Floramax. The middle layer (1.5") is Seachem Flourite, and the top layer (.5") is Onyx Sand. I have posted two pictures of the substrate in the photo gallery of this site. There is a full shot and a close-up shot. I found numerous planted aquarium sites that recommended using pure flourite in the substrate. My co-worker Brian O. (site admin) graciously gifted about 20 pounds of Floramax to me. This was a great start for my tank. I added another 15 pounds of Seachem Flourite and 15 pounds of Onyx Sand.

I chose to use sand for two reasons. I wanted a darker substrate that would hide the appearance of algae. I also wanted to be able to plant Riccia (Riccia fluitans) and other fine plants. I believe sand will hold plants better than larger gravel.

My next step with this tank will be to get the water cycled. Thinking ahead I will try to cycle the tank with fish that might want to keep. I have read that Mollies are good algae eaters as an alternative to plecos and other "heavy waste" sucker/scavenger fish. I also have a secret plan to breed fish as a side experiment to plants. Mollies would be easy to breed.