thanks for the feedback abe!

I think what happened last year is I tried to much to fast.

I put in 2 lillies from home depot, and the william mclane one from watergarden gems and the william mclane lilly was just out'leafing the others, one of them died and I dindn't notice, it rotted in the tank, and then a film algae grew over everything. also, later when I was trying to clean it a lot of the soil of the william mclane orchid got loose in the water. I just didn't have time to work on it at that point so I said screw it I'll work on it next year.

now it's next year.

don't seem to be having any problems now, I have to top off about 3 gallons a day, and I am doing that with RODI water to avoid nutrient buildup. haven't fertilized anything yet.

I like the idea of potting in straght gravel, is there a brand name you use?