u/Ok-Coconut-9100

I’m new to fish keeping! This is my 20 long betta tank. Any plant recommendations and care advice?

I posted a few days ago asking for advice on filling in space and I’ve added some things! + full body shed that occurred yesterday

This is my 5yo girl Suki’s bioactive tank, every plant I put in here dies a slow and painful death and even though she has 4 hides it feels empty. I like it as it is but I think she would enjoy more hiding places. Any suggestions on plants that might do ok? Honestly considering fake plants just to fill in empty space but idk if that would be a risk to her. It is 36x18x18 (50 gal). Substrate is a mix of exoterra excavator clay, organic soil, and a little sand mixed in.

The tank is a couple months old, fully cycled. Before i redecorated Params were ph 7.4, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 20, and after rearranging ammonia spiked to 1.5ppm. I immediately did a 50% water change and this morning it is 0.5, I will do another but do I need to completely re-cycle my tank or will it bounce back on its own with daily water changes

I have a 20 gallon long for my betta, It is a fairly new tank and I know it will take a bit for the plants to grow out. I’ve rearranged it a couple times but it feels empty. I was wondering what I should do to make it look less Amateur. There are also 5 panda loaches and 4 mystery snails

I know the picture that’s bout to be in the comments, I’ve had my girl Suki for 5 years and I am just now noticing balls on her. I dont see very pronounced femoral pores but them hemepenes are glaring. Is she a he? She has been to the vet a few times and her sex was never corrected. I got her as a baby so I must have tried to sex her too early

(P.s. I know she’s a little skinny she is recovering from a mouth abscess and is currently gaining weight)