Ok back to the correct thread
I have a lava rock in there now and I changed out the Biomax with new Biomax from the turtle filter a few days ago. So it finally seems like it's behaving like an actual cycled tank!
But now I dont know exactly what to do: I can get shrimp and leave the bag of Biomax in there for a few weeks? I don't know how well it will do once I take the bio max out if the Lava Rock and mini filter are enough.
The water lettuce is not doing well- it has been slowly disintegrating. But the other plants are still fine.