Originally Posted by Oldfishlady
The problem with layering sand and gravel it that it won't stay that way...it will mix over time.
Too deep of sand can cause anaerobic issues for plants
Airstones, filters..etc...don't add oxygen per se'-the way it works is that as the bubbles hit the surface you have gas exchange-otherwise the water would be super saturated......
The more agitation at the surface you drive more CO2 out and oxygen in-this isn't great for plants and with Bettas they don't need high dissolved oxygen in the water anyway-plus the plants add oxygen during the day.
What species of plants do you keep-can you post a pic....
This is my original thoughts to what to keep. I only have one plant right now (Phillipine fern or something) and intend to have more from this list...
Eleocharis ''parvula'' (LONG grass)
Pink or orange water lily.
Echinodorus 'vesuvius' (AWESOME snake bamboo-like twirls!)
Fissidens splachnobryoides (the bottom moss)
Marsilea quadrifolia (water shamrock)
Anubias, Petite Nana (just big leaves)
APONOGETON ULVACEUS (large flat curvy)
Vallisneria (long snake twirls)
Onion Plant (Crinum thaianum) (long, stingy, spacious)
Small tree-like plant