r/nanotank

It’s been over 7.5 months with my tank.
Currently I have 1 betta fish, 1 nederite snail and 2 African dwarf frogs.
So many changes over the time but still managed to keep it up going.
When does an aquarium can consider mature?

This is my 14L Walstad tank, currently day 10 and I want to introduce some neo cherries in the future. Honestly not sure if I have enough greenery but maybe the brains trust can help with a couple curious questions.

Setup:

Plants include Rotalas, three Anubia Nana Petites, frogbit and some Christmas moss, which I glued to the wood, rock and the little driftwood (tree) up the back. I got the best things I could find on the day. Not much colour there but I hope that makes my cherries pop when I get them.

Boiled the shrimpwood, driftwood and the rock.

Used Garden Basics All Purpose Organic Potting Mix under my gravel.

The plants are growing nicely, rotalas have gained an inch and the frogbit is out of control, it's legs grow 3-4 inches a day and new leaves every day.

Light is on 9-12, 14-17

I am questioning my water balance.
Where I live my water is as soft as marshmallows, about 0.6KH and 2 GH. My pH is about 6 I think (lowest I can measure) and I added about 10g small pieces of crushed coral a couple days ago and 0.9g Epsom salts to add some hardness. Coral has no effect yet and pH remains crashed. KH is now 0.33 and GH was 4 thanks to the Epsom salts. My ammonia was 0.15ppm a few days ago but haven't measured that again today.

Mostly I have been concerned about the KH as it didn't shift with the coral so today crushed up about 1.5g into powder and added that to dissolve fast.

Am I just trying to hurry and need to chill out?

Any feedback or advice is welcome!

This is my 2-year-old low-cost, no-CO₂ planted mini tank.

I’ve mostly tried to keep things simple and let the plants grow naturally without investing in a high-tech setup.

Setup:

• 🌱 No CO₂
• 💡 Basic/low-cost lighting
• 🪨 Natural stones and gravel
• 🌿 Mostly easy, low-tech plants
• ⏳ Tank age: ~2 years
• 💰 Built on a fairly low budget

I know the tank isn't perfectly aquascaped, and some of the older growth has become a little wild. 😅 But I actually like the mature, natural look.

I'd really appreciate some honest feedback from experienced planted-tank keepers.

1. How does the tank look overall?
2. What would you change or improve?
3. Should I trim/replant some of the overgrown plants?
4. Would you change the hardscape or keep it as it is?
5. Are there any low-tech plants you would recommend adding?

I'm especially interested in improvements that don't require CO₂ or an expensive setup.

Any criticism or suggestions are welcome! 🙏🌱

Thanks!