#aqurium

This is my 30-liter (8 US gallon) betta fish aquarium, and it’s been just over two months since I gave it a rescape.

I went for a jungle-style look, and the plants are now starting to grow in nicely.

I did run into a bit of an issue with snail waste building up, so I added some waste-eating bacteria to help manage it.

It’s only been in the tank for less than a week, but it’s already making a difference.

As the bacteria break down the waste, though, a lot of nutrients are being released into the water column, which has led to some green spot algae forming on the Anubias.

I’m doing large, regular water changes to keep it under control.

I’m also experimenting with a couple of houseplants growing out the top of the tank to enhance that jungle vibe even more.

SUBMERGED PLANTS

🌿 Amazon Frogbit 🌿 Limnophila Sessiliflora 🌿 Anubias Coin Leaf 🌿 Bucephalandra Kedegang 🌿 Cryptocoryne Balansae 🌿 Cryptocoryne Wendtii Mi Oya 🌿 Cryptocoryne Wendtii Green 🌿 Cryptocoryne Nurii 🌿 Echinodorus Tropica 🌿 Eleocharis Pusillia

HOUSE PLANTS

PRODUCTS USED IN THIS AQUARIUM Light - https://glassboxdiaries.com/seaouralight Heater - https://glassboxdiaries.com/hyggerhg083 Filter - https://glassboxdiaries.com/nanohobfilter Water Test Kit - https://glassboxdiaries.com/watertestkit Tap Water Conditioner - https://glassboxdiaries.com/tapwaterconditioner

PLANT LIST 🌿 Rotala Rotundifolia 🌿 Bacopa Caroliniana 🌿 Christmas Moss 🌿 Duckweed 🌿 Water Lettuce

Walstad Method Tank 1 Year Later - A Thriving Dirted Tank Ecosystem With Guppies And Cherry Shrimp!

This is my one-year update on a 25-liter (6.6-gallon) Walstad method aquarium that’s home to both cherry shrimp and guppies. In this video, I take you through the full journey—how I set up the tank using topsoil and a gravel cap, the highs and lows over the past year, and how everything is doing today.

I originally built this tank to be a budget-friendly, low-maintenance example of a dirted tank that could still look great and support a thriving shrimp colony. It’s also served as an ongoing experiment, testing things like moss mats for carpeting, soil and cap depths, and seasonal changes in plant and shrimp behavior.

I walk through my entire setup process, including choosing Westland topsoil as the base substrate, adding a gravel cap, and using privacy window film as a budget background. I share how I used Christmas moss on stainless steel grids to create a lush carpet over time, and explain my plant choices like Rotala rotundifolia, Bacopa caroliniana, and Eleocharis pusilla.

This planted tank has been mostly filterless, with water circulation handled by a simple USB pump—although I did add a small hang-on-back filter later on for mechanical filtration and extra water movement. Throughout the year, I observed how live plants, beneficial bacteria, and the natural detritus cycle kept the tank stable, even with high shrimp populations and occasional guppy additions.

I also cover cycling a Walstad tank using ammonia-rich soil, feeding strategies for large shrimp colonies, and even touch on breeding results. You’ll see how the planted aquarium handled seasonal changes, from hot summer months to unheated winter conditions.

Whether you’re curious about creating a dirted planted aquarium or want a real-world look at how a Walstad method tank performs over time, this video is packed with helpful tips, mistakes to avoid, and honest insights from one year of experience. I hope it helps you in your own aquarium journey!