u/DenseDepartment8317

How do I do this? It doesn't look too bad from the front but terrible from top or back

So I took some suggestions and trimmed the plant and roots a little, put down some foil too...

What's that brown stuff in the water, should I be concerned?

Also any suggestions on nutrients solutions?

Started this basil plant about a month ago. Cut off 2 pieces and replanted. One of them was struggling but looks like it survived.

What to do from here? How often should I trim the plant?