Need minister to starting a fish container OUTTA SCRATCH?

im making a small 8 gallon fish tank out of scratch. So far I've put together the aclyric bits with aquarium silicone and so far it never leak a drop. I got some small(0.3-0.8cm) rounded gravel from near a lil creek (hey, I didnt mow away 3 tonnes) and decontaminated them lower than uv, extreme temperatures and chemicals for a week. the pH is fine and everything but I need suggestions for the fish and filter(s)
Since the tank is pretty long, i fixed of a internal filter with the water coming from just over the waterline on one expire and a lil sponge filter on the other side. I'll have driftwood in the tank to mantain a regular pH6.8 and the water should be 24-25deg. celcius.
So far I want to keep 6 or 7 young neons and 2 small amano (yamato) shrimps. I want to know whether I can also keep one or two 5cm dwarf gouramis with them (yes, all the fish r pretty youthful!)
also information on how to treat driftwood would be helpful.
How are foxfaces venomous??
Answers:    http://www.e-aquarium.com.au/make-aquari...

hope this helps! =]
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