A mid-size aquarium layout featuring Dragon (AGA 2025 #1211), 162 L (42.8 gal.), Aquatic Garden style, by Sylwester Maruszewski. The hardscape focus sits on Wood, Volcanic Rock.
Hardscape (Wood, Volcanic Rock) forms the skeleton — negative space between wood and stone guides the eye from foreground to depth. About 12 plant species are listed — fine for a multi-layer look, but keep a care log so slower species are not shaded out. Yokuchi Ganban, Yokuchi Jibndras, WIO Sands substrate helps stabilize root-zone nutrition in the early weeks.
SKYLIGHT Hyperspot M lighting sits at a moderate-to-high technical level for this mid-size aquarium. CO₂ (1 bubble per second for 24 hours) — see our CO₂ systems if you want to clone a similar setup. Aquael Ultramax 1500 filtration needs enough turnovers without blasting the hardscape; browse matching filters.
Scroll to the specs table to match each equipment line; more inspiration in 162–220L.
