ok I will address the first part. Here is what I would do paint the back and bottom (and sides) white or beige whatever light color you have. With young juvies its best to go bare bottom with all the feeding and cleaning and wipping down tank everyday will have to do to grow them out. If you want to add a plant do so in a planter so it can be moved around. I would hold off on plants till they become atleast sub adults but certainly adults then you can move them to a bigger display tank and go all out...please please NO GRAVEL.....