A mid-size aquarium layout featuring From Earth To Heaven, 162 L, by Sylwester Maruszewski. The hardscape focus sits on Dragon Wood, Volcanic Rock.
Hardscape (Dragon Wood, Volcanic Rock) forms the skeleton — negative space between wood and stone guides the eye from foreground to depth. On the plant side, the layout leans toward background stem plants with species such as Rotala Hra, Rotala wallichii, Rotala wallichii — trim in layers so hardscape still breathes. Yokuchi Ganban, Yokuchi Jibndras, Eriocaulon cinereum, Alternanthera reineckii Mini, Rotala sp. Pearlan, WIO Heaven Sand substrate helps stabilize root-zone nutrition in the early weeks.
Skylight Hyperspot FM lighting sits at a approachable technical level for this mid-size aquarium. Aquael Ultramax 1500 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.
Scroll to the specs table to match each equipment line; more inspiration in 162–220L.
