New tanks - wood/substrate questions?

I picked up another Betta fish and setup a tank for him.

1.) I picked up another back of fluorite and it turns out the new bag is much finer (see left vs right). Is this fine? Should I try mix between the two? Or leave it?

2.) The wood is spiderwood from wild on pets. I boiled it for a few hours and popped it into the tank. Is it alright if some of it is protruding out of the top? I quite like the look to be honest. Just hoping it won't cause any issues?

3.) I'd like to grow a carpet of plants in both tanks - which plant would be good without CO2?

Many thanks!

 

PS It's seachem flourite - just one is more like gravel and the other more like clay.

 

I would suggest Java fern. It'll look awesome in the tanks.

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