Hello folks—this is my “one year” update on the Fluval Shaker tank and the ensemble stand. I walk you through what the tank looked like fully grown out, then I work backward through the cleanup and the decisions I’m making for the next phase. Overall, this setup has been pretty problem-free: the water stays crystal clear, it runs really quiet, and most of my “maintenance” is honestly just plant control and the occasional glass clean. The big job here is trimming back the vining/stem plants (that little wiggly/ludwigia-type stuff) before it turns into a rooty mess and blocks out all the light. I’ve done this trim-and-replant routine a bunch of times now, and it’s basically the main plant maintenance on this tank. I also deal with a pesty vine plant that tumbleweeds around and propagates if you lose a sprig—so I’m continuously pulling it out. On the hardware side, I’m running a canister filter with a pre-filter sponge up front; that sponge was absolutely clogged, and cleaning it brought the flow right back. CO2 is still churning away without me recharging it. For livestock, the bettas are doing well (and I even spotted babies), but I’m seeing some territorial drama—plus I lost one swordtail—so I talk about possibly moving the swordtails to my 210. I also share why I love this picture-frame/window style tank in my nook: it’s calming, it fits the space, and the aquascape turned out better than I expected.