I began keeping a freshwater aquarium in February of 2014. 10 Gallon with 3 neon tetras and a blue dwarf gourami. gravel substrate and all fake plants. I slowly began adding live plants and removing the fake ones. I rather like the more subtle colors of freshwater plants and fish and find their unique shapes and habitats enjoyable. In March of 2015 I upgraded to a 15 gallon tank and switched to a sand substrate which i find more natural and pleasant to the eyes.