No filter or heater uncapped dirt tank project

So about a month ago I set up a tank using compost, without any capping of gravel or sand.
I added the carpet about a month ago whilst the other plants are a bit more recent, the last few days, or weeks for the crypts.
It looks a bit bare at the moment but I will be adding more taller growing plants from my other tank over the week.

Here is it's make up so far:

Substrate:
Miracle Gro Performance Organics - All Purpose Organic compost

Plants:
Cryptocoryne nevelli
Eleocharis acicularis
Cryptocoryne parva
Java fern
Alternanthera (reineckii?!)
java moss
Elodea

Hardscape:
Dragonstone
Mopane Wood
Gold coloured gravel

Shrimp:
White Pearl Shrimp

 

Whenever you pull up a plant for any reason such as transplanting or just removing the plant the compost comes to the top regardless of sand or other capping. If you have shrimps they have a ball in the mulch and hang around there. They love if scavenging around in it.

 

I pla ted some elodea previously at the back but it all starter to die i guess they prefer to be floating plants?
Ive put some other plants from my other tank in their spot at the back so I'm hoping I have better luck with them.

 

Added some bacoba at the back that I got for £2. Ive got algae something awful in my main tank so I don't want to be transferring plants from there just yet.

 

Looking good. Plants really do well in soil.

 

At first when I tried it it was doing good, i had 5 amazon swords and a few other things, but for some reason, the soil didn't make ay difference to the size or growth patterns of my plants.

 

What of soil did you use?. I use organic potting mix and its been brilliant. Just got to avoid any with wetting agent although organic shouldn't have to anyhow.