Aquariums: This hobby teaches patience!

I just finished rescaping my first ever 5-gallon tank. It’s been fully sustainable for about a month now, but I really had to learn how to be patient through this process which I at the start of September. I’m now only using a sponge filter and a polishing cloth, plus, I have some crushed coral under that too. Ammonia and nitrites: steady at 0 for a couple weeks, PH: 7.4-7.6, nitrates < .5. Currently have 5 cherry shrimp and 2 nerites.

I just added java and Christmas moss and switched from hornwort to water sprite. The hornwort was just too much. I still have a few pieces floating in there, but I’ll likely pull that soon. I also thinned out the frogbit; that stuff grows FAST! It’s still not 100% how I want it, but as I’m learning the art of patience, I know that if I wait, I’ll get a better sense of how it will look after the adjustment period.

I do plan on adding a Betta once I allow for microbial adjustment and my shrimp to get a tad bigger and established after my recent replanting. Either a plakat or a short-fin or half-moon female. I think the bio load will work given the steadiness of my current ecosystem. I have detritivores and planktonic life visible too and my water is staying clear.

I am somewhat addicted to this hobby now though! And since I must be patient with my little prototype tank, I’m thinking of planning my next tank adventure!!