Help please

[u/Redditor-idk]

First time help

For starters this is my first nano tank/ tank in general. It’s 2.5 gals and only houses what the LFS calls “feeder snails”. Now since I definitely didn’t do things properly. How do I make sure my plants grow they already look a little lifeless to me compared to at the store. The plants are Java fern and sparkle sword I also have duckweed. I also am curious on how to get all the debris out of my substrate a result of not rinsing the plants before adding. Then finally am I able to add any shrimp maybe or other plant suggestions. If it helps I’m only 16 so please cut me some slack.

[u/flying_dogs_bc]

hey! i started keeping aquariums when I was 16 too :) I'm 45 now. THere are a few things I wish I'd known / done first:

learn about the nitrogen cycle and water quality testing well enough to start a tank right and know when it's stable. It's complex but once you get it it's easy and you'll know it for life, so it's worth really putting the effort in now. You can never test your water too much. There are probably apps that will help now.

half of growing plants is killing them. You get the plants that should do well, but a lot of them will just die no matter what you do. Don't rebuy them, and keep trying until you have a variety of plants you know you can care for. Most of the time they fail for reasons beyond your control, so don't sweat it.

Expect pests, fungus, ick, other diseases. Just expect it. It's part of the hobby. Have a bit of money set aside so you can afford to address issues early. Don't ignore it if you see white spots, new creepy crawlies, etc.

have fun!