A large aquarium layout featuring An Aerated Dutch, 640 L (169.1 gal.), Dutch style, by Koen van Vliet. The composition is built around Bog wood
Black lava rock supporting the Anubias.
The hardscape with Bog wood
Black lava rock supporting the Anubias sets the rhythm; planting should support those lines without burying them. About 16 plant species are listed — fine for a multi-layer look, but keep a care log so slower species are not shaded out. 80% inert black gravel (quartz) 2-4 mm
15-20% ADA Amazonia v2
earth worm casting as substrate supplement substrate helps stabilize root-zone nutrition in the early weeks.
2 professional grow tubes (LED 3000K, both 24 watts / 2600 lumen) and a Daytime Onex Color 40 watt, 6400 lumen. Est. 20–25 lm/L = Medium light (per Tropica’s scale). lighting sits at a approachable technical level for this large aquarium. CO₂ (No injected CO2.
Using two Eheim 400L/h air pumps to keep the CO2 out of the depletion zone.) — see our CO₂ systems if you want to clone a similar setup. 1 Liter of K1 micro as biological filtration in an in-tank DYI PVC circulation device
No mechanical filtration
For flow: 3 flow / wave makers, total roughly 7500 L/h. And a big DYI muffled Czech air lift.
No heater: Temps range from ~17–18°C in winter to ~26°C in summer filtration needs enough turnovers without blasting the hardscape; browse matching filters. Low-tech tip: favor slow growers and avoid dense planting if filtration is modest.
Lighting, filtration, substrate, and plant details sit in the specs table below, or browse more layouts in Dutch style.
