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1st Place – Green Cloud 500L by Massimo Faberi
Tank volume (liter) : 500
Tank Age (months or years) : 1 year
Tank size (Length x width x height) : 150x60x60
Plants : Eleocharis acicularis, Echinodorus tenellus, Ceratopteris thalictroides
Lightnin : 6x54W neon T5
Fish & Invertebrates : Colisa ialia, Petitella georgiae, Epaolzeorinchus siamensis, Caridina japonica, Epalzeorhynchos sp., Gyrinocheilus sp.,
Fertilization, CO2, Substrate : ADA Power Sand Special L, ADA Aqua Soil-Amazonia, External filter Eheim professionel 3

2nd Place – Oriens et occasus(Oriente e occidente) 400L by Pasquale Buonpane
Tank volume (liter) : 400
Tank Age (months or years) : 7 months
Tank size (Length x width x height) : 160x52x60
Plants : Hemianthus callitrichoides,Fissidens fontanus.
Lightnin : 4x58w T8(6500°K)
Fish & Invertebrates : Paracheirodon innesi,Crossocheilus siamensis,Otocinclus sp.,Caridina japonica,Neocaridina “Red Cherry”.
Fertilization, CO2, Substrate : Tropica capsules., CO2:about 20mg/l., Akadama,sand.

3rd Place – Aaron’s Peak 682L by David Williams
Tank volume (liter) : 682
Tank Age (months or years) :
Tank size (Length x width x height) : 182x61x61cm
Plants : Anubias Barteri Nana, Anubias Barteri Nana ‘Narrow’, Anubias Barteri Nana ‘Petite’, Cryptocorene Balansae, Cryptocorene Spiralis, Cryptocorene Parva, Limnophila sp., Limnophila sp. Repens ‘mini’
Isoites Lacustris, Eleocharis sp., Eleocharis Parvula, Lileaopsis sp. ‘micro’, Pogostemon Helferi, Hygrophila sp. ‘Araguaia’, Sphaerocaryum Malaccense, Rotala sp. “mini type I’, Rotala Indica, Anubias Lanceolata, Microsorum sp. ‘Trident’, Hyptis sp. (erroneously Hemigraphis Traian), Poaceae sp. ‘Purple Bamboo’, Vesicularia montagnei, Rotala sp. ‘Butterfly’, Nesea sp ‘Gold”, Alternanthera sp.
Lightnin : 12x39w T5HO TEK lighting
Fish & Invertebrates : Rasbora sp. , Hyphessobrycon amandae, Otocinclus, Neocaridina heteropoda, Caridina japonica
Fertilization, CO2, Substrate : Eheim 2260, MagDrive 9.5 for filtration and flow, Mineralized Soil with Colorquartz cap substrate.
Pressurized CO2

4th Place – Passage To The Red Forest 312L by Illarion Makarikhin
Tank volume (liter) : 312 liters
Tank Age (months or years) : 6 month
Tank size (Length x width x height) : 125x50x50
Plants : Rotala Rotundifolia, Eusterallis stellata, Blyxa Japonica, Micranthemum umbrosum, Hemianthus micranthemoides, Glossostigma elantanoides, Pellia evadifolia, Riccia fluitans, Microsorum pteropus (narrow leaf), Vesicularia montagnei
Lightnin : 6*36 T8 – 10 hours/day
Fish & Invertebrates : Rasbora Heteromorpha, Parachirodon innesi, Crossocheilus siamensis
Fertilization, CO2, Substrate : DIY ferts (npk+trace+fe), Simple gravel 4-5mm, Pressurized, 4 bubl/sec 24/7, Atman1200CF+Fluval FX-5 filter

5th Place – Sunset on the mysterious island 300L by Grigoriy Polishchuk
Tank volume (liter) : 300 liter
Tank Age (months or years) : 7 months
Tank size (Length x width x height) : 120x50x50
Plants : Rotala rotundifolia,Ludwigia arquata,Hemianthus micranthemoides,Heteranthera zosterifolia,Cryptocoryne wendtii,Cryptocoryne beckettii,Cryptocoryne lutea,Vesicularia dubyana,Anubias barteri var. nana,Blyxa japonica,Echinodorus tenellus,Lindernia rotundifolia,
Lightnin : 40Wx8(320W), 10hours per day
Fish & Invertebrates : Tanichthys albonubes, Caridina japonica
Fertilization, CO2, Substrate : Substrate – Large grain sand,CO2 – four per second

6th Place – Skeleton of a bush 300L by Alex Korakis
Tank volume (liter) : 300
Tank Age (months or years) : 8 months
Tank size (Length x width x height) : 121x50x55
Plants : Anubias coffeafolia, Anubias afzelli,Crinum calamistratum, Microsorum pteropus, Eusteralis stellata, Proserpinaca palustris, Micranthemum umbrosum, Rotala macrandra, Blyxa japponica, Lysimachia nummularia, Pogostemon helferi, Ludwigia repens, Limnophila aromatica, Heteranthera zosterifolia, Rotala rotundifolia, Cabomba furcata, Mayaca fluviatilis, Hemianthus micranthemoides, Cryptocoryne beckettii, Glossostigma elatinoides, Xmas moss, Willow moss, Triangle moss, Pelia, Riccardia chamaedryfolia.
Lightnin : 4x54Watt T5 Sylvania grolux
Fish & Invertebrates : Trigonostigma heteromorpha, Iriatherina werneri, Danio margaritatus, Pseudomugil furcata, Melanotaenia praecox.Caridina multidentata, Neocaridina heteropoda, Neritina natalensis.
Fertilization, CO2, Substrate : Estimative Index fertilizing method. Pressurized CO2., Substrate, Ecco complete, seachem flourite.

7th Place – Phuket Riverside 375L by Cheattha Sae-Teaw
Tank volume (liter) : 375 L
Tank Age (months or years) : 4 Months
Tank size (Length x width x height) : 150 cm X 50 cm X 50 cm
Plants : Bryxa , hairgrass , grosso , rotala ,moss , pealia , etc.
Lightnin : Philip 865 x 8 , 7hr
Fish & Invertebrates : Sawba , Siamese triangle tetra , green neon , chinese algae eater
Fertilization, CO2, Substrate : DIY substrate , CO2 5 bubbles/sec , Substrate GEX

8th Place – Aurora Boreal 352L by Luis Carlos Galarraga
Volume: 352 liters
Age: 8 months
Dimensions: 160 x 40 x 55
Floors: Glossostigma elatinoides, Eleocharis vivipara, Echinodorus tenellus “Amano,” Ludwigia glandulosa, Nymphaea rubra, Limnophila aromatica.
Lighting: JBL 80W T5 HO 4, with 2 Natur, 1 Color and 1 Tropic.
Fish: Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi, Paracheirodon axelrodi and Crossocheilus siamensis.
Fertilizer, CO2 and substrate:
Substrate: Tropica Plant Substrate, ADA Bacter 100, Clear Super ADA, ADA Tourmaline BC, W ADA and ADA Penac Penac P.
CO2: Aquamazon system pressurized steel cylinder of 3.0 kg, solenoid valve, two bubbles per second, Eheim diffuser.
Fertilizer: Tropica Plant Nutrition +, Seachem Seachem Iron and Potassium.

9th Place – Paradise by Peter Bela
Tank volume (liter) : 340 L
Tank Age (months or years) : 1 year
Tank size (Length x width x height) : 120X53X50
Plants : Eleocharis,Glossostigma elatinoides,Riccia fluitans, Hygrophila difformis,Hygrophila corymbosa,Hydrocotyle leucocephala,Limnophila aromatica,Micranthemum umbrosum,Rotala rotundifolia,Hygrophila polysperma,Hottonia palustris,Ludwigia repens
Lightnin : 36WX5 NO (Osram Daylight Lumilux)
Fish & Invertebrates : Aphyosemion gardneri, Paracheirodon innesi, Pterophyllum scalare, Betta splendens, Hyphersobrycon Herbertaxelrodi, Aplocheilus lineatus, Black Molly
Fertilization, CO2, Substrate : PPS Pro, CO2: 3 b/sec, Substrate: soil from lokal wood and round gravel

10th Place – Kiattisak Phueakrai
Tank volume (liter) : 262
Tank Age (months or years) : 5 months
Tank size (Length x width x height) : L90 x W45 x H45 (cm)
Plants : Vesicularia sp., Hydrocotyle leucocephala, Rotala rotundifolia, Hemianthus callitrichoides, Hygrophila sp.
Lightnin : Grand Solar II x 2 (8 hours a day)
Fish & Invertebrates : Sundadanio axelrodi, Otocinclus vittatus, Caridina japonica
Fertilization, CO2, Substrate : Fertilization : Green Brighty Step 2, Special Shade, ECA.
CO2 : 4 bubbles per second
Substrate : Amazonia II, Powersand special M.

Source : acuavida.com

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Grand Prize, World Ranking 1
Chow Wai Sun, Hong Kong

The judges said: “The Grand Prize winner’s layout has a panoramic view with a deep perspective, and stones and driftwood are used in an excellent combination. The driftwood placed diagonally from the back left corner to the front gives the layout boldness. The stones placed on the left foreground and the right background provides a strong perspective to this layout. In addition, the balance between the density of plants on the left side and the open space on the right is excellent. The overall composition is also well produced. The gravel spreading from the front right to the stones on the mid ground and aquatic plants meticulously placed among the stones are effectively making up a natural atmosphere. The boldness and grandeur of Mother Nature is evident in this layout.”

Gold Prize, World Ranking 2
Chan Shih Hsien, Taiwan

The judges said: “This is a bold Iwagumi layout using unique stones. The banking technique and the plant arrangement are excellent, and the layout design is well organized. The layout finishes with a strong impression. The texture of stones and Willow Moss (Fantinalis) which is partially covering the stones, and several species of plants arranged around the stones make up a natural feeling and display a unique taste. ”

Silver Prize, World Ranking 3
Cliff Hui, Hong Kong

The judges said: “The “flow” of plants, like a running waterfall, is very impressive. Several kinds of species are skillfully arranged, and they make up a sense of unity in the layout. The colors of plants, stones, and decorative sand match well. The contrast between the densely planted left and right sides and the open space in the upper center is also excellent. ”

Silver Prize, World Ranking 4
Lee Dojae, Korea

The judges said: “The combination of driftwood with Bolbitis and river stones gives the layout a tranquil impression. The color balance of reddish stemmed plants, decorative sand and the meticulous aquatic plants between the stones make this layout impressive. A sense of nature is expressed skillfully through a unique method. ”

Bronze Prize, World Ranking 5
Hironori Handa, Japan

The judges said: “The use of Seiryu Stones with stemmed plants is very impressive. Aquatic plants in the foreground form a gently sloping hill. Stones in the mid ground and a thicket of stemmed plants in the background form a unity in composition. Overlapping bright tiny leaves of stemmed plants and the combination of plants in the foreground create a sensitive impression. ”

Bronze Prize, World Ranking 6
Koji Nakamura, Japan

The judges said: “The composition, making the most of the characteristics of driftwood, and bright stemmed plants are harmonized in this layout. Thick black driftwood gives a heavy impression, but pure-white decorative sand and bright plants in the background redress the balance. Ferns and mosses attached to the driftwood present a natural look. ”

Bronze Prize, World Ranking 7
Chen Huang Jen, Taiwan

The judges said: “Stones and sand are used to create the image of mountain streams originating from a waterfall. Boldly arranged stones set the perspective within the layout. The plant arrangement is well considered, and the layout recreates a landscape of a mountain stream in autumn. The color of autumn leaves is expressed through the use of reddish stemmed plants, and a sense of nature is effectively created by the use of moss and ferns on the stones.”

Honour Prize, World Ranking 8
Cheng Chi Fai, Hong Kong

The judges said: “With the stones of a unique texture, the layout presents a landscape like the ones depicted in Shan Shui (a style of Chinese painting). The stemmed plants and decorative sand bring a light touch to the layout.”

Honour Prize, World Ranking 9
Ichiro Hamano, Japan

The judges said: “The arrangement of stones is effective and the layout has a well-balanced structure. The reddish stemmed plants in a bed of greens give the layout an accent and a visual impact.”

Honour Prize, World Ranking 10
Filipe Oliveira, Portugal

The judges said: “The creator recreates the tree with driftwood and moss, and the river with decorative sand and stones. The composition successfully gives us a broader outlook by drawing a slope in the layout. ”

Honour Prize, World Ranking 11
Yuji Yoshinaga, Japan

The judges said: “The view of a mountain stream, made of stones and decorative sand, provides a strong sense of perspective. The arrangement of plants, which is mainly formed with the stemmed plants and moss is skillfully done. ”

Honour Prize, World Ranking 12
Hiroyoshi Honda, Japan

The judges said: “The layout is taking an advantage of the characteristics of Seiryu Stone and is structured in a tactful manner by using stones in mixed sizes. The plants are maintained in a good condition. This is a piece that gives us a sense of refreshment.”

Honour Prize, World Ranking 13
A.J. Judy Prajitno Putra, Indonesia

The judges said: “The layout is produced with driftwood and a variety of plants in a large panoramic tank. Each section of the layout provides a different scene; this is a piece of complexity.”

Honour Prize, World Ranking 14
Chong Ah Guan, Malaysia

The judges said: “The dynamic composition by the use of driftwood goes well with the arrangement of plants in this layout. The vivid reddish color of stemmed plants, especially, is remarkable and eye-catching. ”

Honour Prize, World Ranking 15
Apiwat Apiwatsayree, Thailand

The judges said: “Mainly using driftwood and shade plants, the layout is rather composed. Pure-white decorative sand uplifts the overall visual atmosphere and gives us a sense of refreshment.”

Honour Prize, World Ranking 16
Fumio Shiga, Japan

The judges said: “The arch of driftwood is effective in drawing the eye to the layout. Ferns and moss, planted onto the driftwood, soften the tone of the composition and artistically present a natural look. ”

Honour Prize, World Ranking 17
Tetsuya Takahashi, Japan

The judges said: “This is a layout featuring Manten stone and driftwood. Its composition effectively develops a sense of unity by coordinating plants among those layout materials.”

Honour Prize, World Ranking 18
Masashi Ono, Japan

The judges said: “The layout presents a strong natural feeling: a dynamic composition of Manten stone with driftwood and the arrangement of ferns.”

Honour Prize, World Ranking 19
Seouk Yun Hwan, Korea

The judges said: “The layout stones consist of a very distinguished look. Combined with the driftwood rising up from here and there, they make the composition look startling. The arrangement of plants appears natural and well matches the overall composition.”

Honour Prize, World Ranking 20
Takehero Hara, Japan

The judges said: “The set up of driftwood is powerful and eye-catching. The composition becomes moderate by mainly using shade plants such as ferns and Cryptocoryne.”

Honour Prize, World Ranking 21
Chang Zheng Jung, Korea

The judges said: “A simple and unified Iwagumi layout. The creator takes a good advantage of the shape of stones and prepares mounds around the stones.”

Honour Prize, World Ranking 22
Minoru Yamagishi, Japan

The judges said: “The layout represents a basic layout composition and plant arrangement. A sense of nature is well expressed even in the smallest details. The creator picks the right kind of fish for this layout design.”

Honour Prize, World Ranking 23
Hidekazu Tsukiji, Japan

The judges said: “The arrangement of plants is well considered; their colors have a strong visual impact. A stream of water is recreated precisely by pure-white decorative sand and stones.”

Honour Prize, World Ranking 24
Akihisa Nagashima, Japan

The judges said: “The layout shows the very basics of Nature Aquarium. The plants are all in a good condition. We can see a highly skilled technique in maintaining the layout. ”

Honour Prize, World Ranking 25
Antonio Domingues, Portugak

The judges said: “Using a combination of the plants with a delicate appearance, the layout presents a fantastic imagery. The use of driftwood is very unique and frames the creator’s individual view of nature.”

Honour Prize, World Ranking 26
Maurice Cheong, Singapore

The judges said: “The way that fern and moss are growing on the driftwood depicts a sense of nature. Decorative sand, in the foreground, and the stemmed plants, in the back, visually go along with each other. ”

Honour Prize, World Ranking 27
Shingo Fujita, Japan

The judges said: “The creator frameworks the layout with stones and driftwood and applies decorative sand and a variety of plants to it. The layout is well-balanced in terms of composition and visual effect.”

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Latest scaping with some temporary plants just to help with excess nutrients… the algae situation is under control now… I believe the increase of CO2 actually helps

Just wanna share with you guys something I discovered in Japan. A range of products for beginners by ADA called Do!aqua. Apparently all the products are a lot “friendlier” to the wallet take these glassware for example. The 12mm diameter Lily Pipe Outflow is selling at 3,570 Yen (S$48.50) and the 12mm Inflow is S$54.00. The design is slightly different but quality feels the same. Maybe these are Made In China (not stated in packaging).

Bought these from Japan… are they considered “special”? Not expensive but I spent more on shipping them back

These Zebra rocks gave me the impulse to start another nano

Added more shrimps today… hopefully they will help consume some of the hair algae plaguing my tank ever since I return from my trip

Now 1 month later, the new stems started creeping (spreading low which is very nice) and the leaves are completely different It sorta wrapped round my “mountain”.

Full Tank View I added the Eheim Hang-on Filter (from previous setup) to help combat algae… seems that the extra filtration power and surface agitation helps a lot.

Here’s an update… did a major trimming yesterday and 30% water change.

Source : Aquatic Quotient

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Tank: 60x30x36cm ADA Cube Garden with Juwel cabinet
Filter: Eheim Professional II 2026 canister with ADA Lily Pipes*
Filtration Media: Eheim Substrate Pro, ADA Bio Rio & ADA Bamboo Charcoal
Lighting: ATI Powermodul 4 x 24W HO T5
Chiller: Arctica Mini 1/15hp*
Substrate: ADA complete substrate

Let’s take a closer look at the lighting fixture… an old 2ft ATI Powermodule (can see all the battle scars)… I will decide on the final tube mixture tomorrow… it’s nice to see a hanging fixture over a braceless glass tank

Nothing out of the extraordinary… my usual way of preparing the substrate… I am really getting the hang of it

My first mistake… I think I am too used to buying rocks for nano tanks. Putting all those small pieces of Black Granite to use will be my biggest challenge!

looks not bad
you stacked rocks above another on the left side to achieve the height?

Eheim ProII 2026 comes with 2 trays:
Bottom tray: Eheim ceramic rings and Eheim Substrate Pro
Upper tray: Coarse blue sponge (base), a bag of ADA Bamboo Charcoal surrounded by ADA Bio Rio and lastly, a top layer of fine white sponge.

Daily ADA Green Bacter dose to help enhance the cultivation of beneficial bacteria

Went look for light tubes today… bought 2 Arcadia Plant Pro (was told 8000K) and 2 Osram 6500K tubes.

The effect is quite nice and crisp… but somehow lacks yellow… might replace 1 Arcadia Plant Pro with a yellow tube (somewhere in the range of 4500K)

Now let’s see some greens…

First plant to go in… Anubias nana Must thank bro Illumnae for suggesting me a nice location for it

Tied the plant to some tiny lava rock using ADA Moss Cotton… the string is actually quite stiff… easier to handle than I thought

How about an angled shot?

Took me almost 3 hours of planting

I am very pleased with the crystal clear water actually… and the glass clarity is unrivaled IMO (for that price range)

You can see the pinkish spectrum of the Arcadia Plant Pro T5 tubes.

Here’s a FTS for your enjoyment

The temperature shot up to 27.5ºC this morning

Quickly installed a fan to tackle the situation… by end day the water temperature is at a comfortable 24ºC

Time to feature some equipments…

Eheim Pro2 2026 (the heart of the system) and CO2 system, shared with my 1ft cube.

Added a chiller today… set at 25ºC for a start

I am glad that the Eheim Pro2 2026 produce enough flow to run through the chiller

My tank going high-tech today… with Aquatronica pH probe and Water Level Sensor (able to automatically top up fresh water).

The Hemianthus micranthemoides are looking quite healthy

I am “misting” the tank with CO2

Tank pH is within acceptable range… here’s a graph chart.

Highest point – 10am today (CO2 starts at 10am)

8th day and I performed my 3rd 40% water change…the 2 Otos are becoming fatter… perhaps it’s time to add some shrimps

PART 2 > > >

Remark : This tank create and write setup process by Jervis, you can read more information at AquaticQuotient