New Fluval Spec V for plant newbie

Hi everyone,


Just joined the forum as I'm looking for advice for my 5 gallon Fluval Spec V that will most likely be for a betta and a few corys. I uploaded a photo to this post. I'd like to have live plants but want them to be betta safe and I want to leave swimming room so nothing huge and easier plants would be best. I don't want to use a CO2 system but I have Seachem Excel. That's better than nothing right? Should I use anything in addition to that? I was thinking dwarf baby tears to carpet and maybe java moss to attach to my root and rock cave but I'm not sure what to do for taller plants and how much of them. I'm open to suggestions for all types. Maybe there's a better option than java moss? I purchased Caribsea Tahition Moon Sand before I researched, and wish I had bought Seachem Flourite or Caribsea Eco complete. Should I exchange it or is the Moon Sand just as good? I don't think it has the same nutrients for plants and I could use that since I won't have a CO2 system.


I'm also wondering about tank mates. I know 5 gallons is just about the limit for 1 betta but I figured that bottom dwellers won't be a problem. Are dwarf crayfish compatible with a betta and corys? I wanted to get 2 or 3 but if they're going to be a problem I could get shrimp instead and a few snails would be cool. A couple of small Oto's should be fine too right? Or will there be too much waste in a 5 gallon with that many occupants?


Those are all of the questions I can think of now.


Thanks,


Bob