The background is still pretty glaring. I understand if there's some conflict for you because you really want a vibrant digital aesthetic, but I think it can be fixed while still looking sleek somehow.

I think what you did with the nutrients filling in the "capsules" in the corners of the grid was really clever, though nutrient levels are pretty hard to see as a result. My thinking is that the sky background grids should be darkened to near-black, maybe fading brighter subtly toward the top of the screen. Some digital details or variation would be neat, but I know that takes time.

Then the floor grid should be darkened substantially, maybe even as dark as the background is now or more, not sure, but don't darken the nutrients as much, and maybe consider adjusting their color so they are more visible. I think if the nutrients are brighter than the circle they fit in, they might appear to glow which could be neat. a fade effect on their sprites could enhance the effect if it works.

Since half or more of the grid brightness comes from the lines representing water content, maybe the "curve" of water display should be steepened a lot, so that only the very wettest tiles have much brightness at all, and maybe they would still need to be darker than now. It would need testing to see.

Anyway, neat concept, not bad! It just needs fixed so it doesn't feel like a "shimmering dot illusion" when you look at it. Remember the eye adjusts to brightness differences, so you can go surprisingly dark with colors and still have things feel vibrant enough if you do it right. Also, if you darken the grid, the critters will look brighter and more neon which might be cool.