Aquascape Details
Dimensions: 183 cm x 60 cm x 73 cm
Title: Big Dutch
Volume: 801.5 L
Lighting: 3 – Ecotech Radion XR30 G5 Freshwater LED, 35 percent brightness, 12 hours/day
Filtration: 2 – Oase BioMaster Thermo 850
Plants: Lobelia cardinalis ‘Mini’, Staurogyne repens, Eriocaulon sp. ‘Malayatoor’, Lysimachia nummularia aurea, Cryptocoryne jacobsenii ’Pink’, Hygrophila difformis, Hygrophila pinnatifida, Nymphoides hydrophylla, Proserpinaca palustris, Hygrophila corymbosa, Myriophyllum aquaticum ‘Guyana’, Alternanthera reineckii, Myriophyllum mattogrossense, Cryptocoryne sivadasanii, Leptochilus pteropus ‘Windeløv Lacy’, Microsorum pteropus “Short Narrow Leaf”, Plagiochila integerrima, Fissidens fontanus
Live stock: 7 – Trichopodus leerii, 30 – Hyphessobrycon sp. HY511, 20 – Iguanodectes spilurus, 16 – Corydoras similis, 10 – Otocinclus affinis, 12 – Caridina multidentata
Hardscape Materials: Eucalyptus Wood
Background:
Substrate: CaribSea Super Naturals Peace River, ADA Aquasoil
Wow. There is a lot to like here, especially the soothing, warm calmness that most other entries lack. Classic gravel substrate, ideal 6-foot long tank, great moss wall, a tasteful amount of reds, space between groups, good contrasts, open space in the foreground, dark greens in the form of moss and pinnatifida, and an appreciative nod to the blooming Cryptocoryne. Yet…the uniform height of the background plants looks like soldiers ready for inspection and therefore, lacks a feeling of depth. More emphasis on mid-ground plants may have resolved that issue. The group of corymbosa looks disheveled and fresh. The interaction between the Alternanthera and the Fissidens feels awkward. The choice and execution of three different back wall plants is brilliant.