I can give you some more personal opinions of my own to confuse you more if you would like... I would definitely suggest a type of filter other than an undergravel filter. I have used both an undergravel filter and then an external hang on the back power filter (I think I have a Whisper Filter) and the underground filter was o.k for a few tiny tropical fish like guppies but Goldfish are huge chunky fish and make a lot of waste that kept plugging up the filter even with vacuuming with a siphon, plus goldfish love to pick in the gravel and they would keep uncovering the undergravel filter. I think the Aqua Clear filter you ordered is a good choice as long as you bought in a size that is recommended for your size tank (usually the box says what size tank range the filter is designed for so that is pretty easy) About a cover or a hood, I have covers on my tanks because I am paranoid about fish jumping out. There are the premade ones in the store that have a built in light already but they are kinda pricey, especially if it is sold seperatly from your tank. I am terribly cheap so when I got a used tank from a friend I went to a window store and had them cut plexiglass to fit on the lip of the tank so fish would not hop out. Because I use an external filter there is a little black plastic tube and a "waterfall" lip that returns the water to the tank so the cover stopped about an inch or so from the end to allow for those things to fit in the tank with the lid on. Of course store bought hoods are generally precut to allow for things like filters and heaters to go in. I guess the question about gravel depends on what type of filter you use. If you use an undergravel filter: yes use gravel. If you use a different external filter like your Aqua Clear that hangs on the back of the tank then you can have a choice depending on how much work and the decorative value of the tank. If you just want the tank to keep the fish alive over the winter then I suppose you would be fine w/o gravel but there would be nothing to hide the fish poop and you would need to siphon rather often to get rid of the poop. Normally gravel is supposed to have good bacteria that helps regulate nitrogen and ammonia levels in the tank and to break down wastes. Plus I just think tanks with gravel look nicer but if this is just gong to be a tank you use over the winter then gravel could be optional, I am sure other people have different opinions though. I don't know about how well hyacinth would overwinter in a tank...I tried that last year and nothing lived. I am trying water lettuce this year and they seem to be doing ok so far, maybe they are ok w/ lower light levels? The problem I had was since all of my tanks had lids the water hyacinth were too tall to fit in them and have the lids on to keep the fish in so I had to put the hyacinths in a separate bucket. You probably don't *need* a light if you are just keeping fish in a tank and they are not stuck away in the complete dark but if you are going to use it to overwinter plants too then you would probably need a light. I have a separate light with a reflector shield that I got at a garage sale (cheap me again) and I sit it on top of the plexiglass cover and that gives enough light for the aquarium plants I have (java moss, java fern, some water lettuce, Aponogeton bulbs and Azolla) to grow well w/o too much algae growth. If you know the info on the type of bulb in your light maybe compare it to information on lights they sell for fishtanks? I would think your light would work perfectly well but I just experiment to see what works so I do not have much expertise w/ lights. Lots of people have fishtanks w/o live plants so seeing as setting up a fish tank with all of these fun toys can be very expensive you may be able to get by with just the tank, your filter, siphon and buckets for cleaning, a bottle of dechlorinizer (cheap), a cover would be nice, gravel is nice too and maybe some plants (plastic or real) to make the fish feel comfortable. They were used to being in a pond below ground but suddenly they are in a tank with see through walls and normally they are a little nervous and jumpy before they get used to seeing all the movements outside of the glass. Well, this seems to have become a huge ramble but hopefully this helped (?) and didn't just confuse you and make you want to run away screaming.

Also, snails are not necessarily pests. If you crush them up, you fish will love to eat the fresh meat they provide. A fish tank, regardless of what is in it, should never be in sunlight as the refraction of the glass or plastic hightens the rats of the sun to an unhealthy nature. A tank is not a pond or natural body of water. Light through plastic or glass creates an unatural energy source with odd results. A Betta is very comfortable on a shelf or quiet place with minimal light. Also,. When you clean the tank, every once in awhile (like bi monthly) put the Betta in a cup or bowl of the tank water (roughly 40 to 60% of the original amount) stir up the gravel a bit to release the bacteria that's building up down there with your hand. Usually a cloud of brown will be seen. Empty out that water about half of that water but not all (remember, bacteria is not as completely a bad thing). Then fiill the tank back up with fresh water and pour the fish back in with the original water it was in... Fish love fresh water, but they need some bacteria in their tank to be healthy. Also, and this is important, temperature is important as you don't want the fish to go into shock from a sudden temperature change. Think about your own body when you do this. If you are in a room that is comfortable temperaturewise, then you enter a freezing or hot room, your body reacts. Use your sense of touch when gauging whether the tap water is close in temperature to the original. If needed you can use a thermometer but I have never found that necessary. It sounds more complicated than it actually is. Just think of your fish as a living being that needs the same things you do.

Theresa: I pick moss from my back yard and grow it on a pot for future use in a terrarium, that way I know is free of insects. You can find moss anywhere's humid. I came up with a different idea for growing moss 'outside' a pot. First, cut out a firm round plastic lead, make 2 holes, and put a wire thru it and thru the bottom hole of a clay pot (which now is the top), filled with sphagnum moss inside, with a layer outside (I soaked it overnight)then wrapped it with a plastic net. Added the moss, and another plastic net (the net they use on cherry trees to protect fruit from birds). I also added some small ferns, and to keep it moist I water the inside sphagnum moss and also spray the outside. It sounds difficult, but is very easy. You can put it on a humidity tray (with pebbles and water)Here is a pic of mine, it's been about a year now, (I've been "harvesting" always leaving some to regrow) The plastic at the bottom is to keep the sphagnum moss from coming out and the wire so you can pick the pot up without damaging the moss. Hope this helps! Here's a picture to give you a better idea. Ana :) Here is a link that might be useful: growing moss

I cannot thank all of you enough! Nomen you definitely know you stuff and it is very kind of you to take the time to share your expertise with me and everyone on this site! Silenteyesspy, thanks for the offer! I will remind you this coming summer. please don't forget me! I just noticed last evening a small bug moving in the soil of two of my plants (wispy webby stuff and brown at bottom of stem of one- could be spider mites). I had just got one of these plants from Trader Joes. I did seem to resolve fungus gnat Problem. I have not seen one! I quickly quarantined the plants that seem to be affected and am going to get a good general organic spray recommended by my local garden center. Thanks to everyone again and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! Lynn :)