A mid-size aquarium layout featuring Dark Nature, 160 L (42.3 gal.), Aquatic Garden style, by Victor Schänzle. The hardscape focus sits on Dark Pagoda
Driftwood.
The hardscape with Dark Pagoda
Driftwood sets the rhythm; planting should support those lines without burying them. About 27 plant species are listed — fine for a multi-layer look, but keep a care log so slower species are not shaded out. Tropica Soil, ADA La Plata substrate helps stabilize root-zone nutrition in the early weeks.
Chihiros WRGB II lighting sits at a high technical level for this mid-size aquarium. CO₂ (~30 ppm/ min./ Chihiros CO²-System) — see our CO₂ systems if you want to clone a similar setup. Oase Biomaster Thermo 600 filtration needs enough turnovers without blasting the hardscape; browse matching filters. High-tech balance means nutrients, light, and CO₂ must stay in step; one weak leg often triggers spot or hair algae.
Lighting, filtration, substrate, and plant details sit in the specs table below, or browse more layouts in 162–220L.
