"Dark" - Contest tank 2025

This layout is inspired by the seasonally flooded rainforests of South America, where terrestrial landscapes transform into aquatic environments during the rainy season. The goal was to capture the subdued, shadowy feel of these ecosystems, where light penetration is limited and life thrives in subtle ways.

The hardscape is built around diagonally placed driftwood, creating a dynamic sense of movement.

Plant selection focused on low-light, slow-growing species such as Anubias, Bucephalandra, and various ferns, chosen for their resilience and texture, while moss enhances the impression of age and natural flow.

From the dim background, a school of Costae tetras provides subtle motion and a hint of shimmer, echoing the way fish in nature drift in and out of visibility under dappled light.

"Dark" evokes the calm, layered beauty found within nature’s hidden rhythms.

Dimensions: 130x50x45cm - 292 liters or 77 gallons

Lighting: Chihiros A1201 x2
Filtration: Oase BioMaster Thermo 600, Eheim 2217 

CO2: Pressurised 3 bps - DIY CO2 reactor (connected on Eheim 2217)
Substrate: Lava gravel, quartz sand
Hardscape: Dogwood, Seiryu stones
Flora: Anubias sp. 'Mini Coin', Anubias sp. 'Pangolino', Anubias barteri var. nana 'Paxing', Anubias sp. 'Petite', Bucephalandra sp. 'Belindae', Bucephalandra sp. 'Belindae Mini', Bolbitis sp. 'Mini' Guinea 2002, Microsorum sp. 'Mini Coral, Microsorum sp. 'Dwarf Narrow', Microsorum sp. 'Windelov', Cryptocoryne parva 'Mini', Lomariopsis cf. lineata, Callicostella prabaktiana

Fauna: Moenkhausia costae, Crossocheilus oblongus, Caridina multidentata, Clithon corona

Fertilization: Bolbi Plantavit complete 3ml and Plantavit potassium+ 4ml - daily via dosing pump

Water change: 40% once a week (first 3 months twice a week).

Hardscape construction

Planting

Day 115

Day 164

Day 225 - Final photo

Aquascaping competitions results

IAPLC