A small aquarium layout featuring Through The Forest, 45L, by Steven Nguyen. ADA aqua soil and Rock and wood from Viet nam. set the depth lines of the frame.
The hardscape with ADA aqua soil sets the rhythm; planting should support those lines without burying them. On the plant side, the layout leans toward mosses and epiphytes with species such as Taxiphyllum alternans 'Taiwan', Pilotrichaceae sp. 'pilo moss', Fissidens splachnobryoides — trim in layers so hardscape still breathes. white background substrate helps stabilize root-zone nutrition in the early weeks.
White Led 24w lighting sits at a approachable technical level for this small aquarium. Sunsun HBL 802 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 (Boraras urophthalmoides) fits this small aquarium — prefer species that will not dig up the substrate and wreck hardscape lines.
Setup notes: The idea of a forest with waterfalls and streams creates a flow from above, carrying large tree trunks stuck downstream.
Use the specs table as a shopping checklist for equivalent gear — then explore 28–55L.
