I have had freshwater aquariums for a couple of years. Started with a 5 gallon hex tank and now have a
10 gallon glass tank w/ HOB Filter plus a
bubble aerator hose on the bottom:
Lots of Java Ferns
1 female Crown Tail betta
1 otto
1 YoYo Loach
1 Emarald Green Cory
1 Peruvian Cory
2 Ghost Shrimp

I measure my nitrates weekly,
my ammonia monthly
and change 20% of the water weekly.