A mid-size aquarium layout featuring Flooded Cenote, 118L, by Mateus Fér Pereira. Seiryu Stones and Ficus Retusa vine set the depth lines of the frame.
The hardscape with Seiryu Stones sets the rhythm; planting should support those lines without burying them. The plant list (Fissidens, Nambei Moss, Willow moss, Bucephalandra Brownie Ghost) favors mosses and epiphytes; packing the foreground too dense can make the tank feel heavy. None substrate helps stabilize root-zone nutrition in the early weeks.
01 Luminária Forfish SunRed Pro lighting sits at a approachable technical level for this mid-size aquarium. Boyu FEF-280, 04 XTPumps 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.
Livestock (Red Dwarf Ceará 'Piabinha' Tetras) fits this mid-size aquarium — prefer species that will not dig up the substrate and wreck hardscape lines.
Setup notes: This aquarium was built from the observation of caves and cenotes in Mexico (mainly the Ik Kil Cenote) in the havy rainy season. The animals were chosen based on the similarity between the Banded Tetras found in these environments.
Use the specs table as a shopping checklist for equivalent gear — then explore 80–162L.
