A small aquarium layout featuring Golden Sunset, 40 L (10.6 gal.), Aquatic Garden style, by Tom Mees. The hardscape focus sits on ADA SanSui Stones, Driftwood.
The hardscape with ADA SanSui Stones sets the rhythm; planting should support those lines without burying them. About 9 plant species are listed — fine for a multi-layer look, but keep a care log so slower species are not shaded out. Tropica Soil, Tropica Soil (Powder), ADA La Plata Sand, ADA Aqua Gravel substrate helps stabilize root-zone nutrition in the early weeks.
Chihiros WRGB 2 lighting sits at a high technical level for this small aquarium. CO₂ (ca 25ppm Co2, running as long as the light is on (6h)) — see our CO₂ systems if you want to clone a similar setup. JBL e902 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 Under 28L.
