The Dutch aquarium is a vivid example of the original and unconventional design of a home reservoir. Its filling destroys the usual notions of how the aquarium world should look. The central place in creating an aquarium in the Dutch style belongs not to representatives of the underwater fauna, but to a variety of plants. This article is about what a Dutch aquarium is and how to create it yourself.
What it is?
In fact, the Dutch aquarium is an artificially created underwater garden, consisting of different types of plants. Among them can be found both well-known varieties of algae, and very expensive rare representatives of the aquarium flora.
It is noteworthy that in aquariums of this type usually do not contain any aquatic living creatures. If, nevertheless, fish, turtles or other representatives of the aquarium fauna are launched into the tank, then in an extremely limited amount.
Despite the fact that underwater gardens and flowerbeds in the Dutch style have a fairly natural look, the location of each plant is initially strictly defined.
Not the least role in the harmony of the green composition is played by a carefully thought-out planting scheme, the development of which is started long before the aquarium’s development.
So, the main stages of creating a Dutch aquarium are the following:
- selection, purchase and preparation of the aquarium;
- preparation of a plan (scheme) for planting plants, selection of their assortment;
- lighting organization;
- soil selection;
- selection and installation of equipment;
- work with plants - composition, planting.
Aquarium selection
One of the most important and crucial steps on the way to creating a Dutch aquarium involves choosing the right tank. Experts argue that its volume should be not less than 200 liters. Considered the best option capacity of about 500 liters.
Setting up a Dutch aquarium in a small tank cannot be called an expedient and rational solution. A small tank with an underwater garden in the interior of the apartment is easily "lost", and soon it will become crowded with plants.
When choosing containers of suitable sizes, it is easiest to focus on a simple criterion - the height of the tank should be approximately three times less than its width. In turn, the width of the tank should average about 60 centimeters.
Preparing a planting plan and choosing them
The plan (scheme) for planting aquatic plants is executed on paper. In the course of work, one should take into account the proportions and dimensions of the container, the height and diameter of the plants, and the features of decor items.
The main operating points on the plan can be defined as follows:
- divide the area of the aquarium into 3 equal parts in height and width;
- mark 4 points in the middle of the tank, formed as a result of the intersection of vertical and horizontal lines.
The first pair of points in the foreground are places that you should focus on when planting and placing low plants. Another pair of points at the back of the aquarium, in turn, is a guide when placing tall or long climbing plants.
And also on the plan you can mark the points where the main accents will be located. It can be plants with an unusual color, leaf shape or flowers blooming under water. Such vegetation should be clearly visible when viewing the aquarium, therefore It is worthwhile to make sure that nothing is blocking it.
The center of the tank is left empty. This allows you to provide the best view of the vegetation from all sides.
The assortment of plants for the Dutch aquarium is quite extensive. The following types can be cited as possible options:
- ferns;
- mosses (Javanese, riccardia, riccia);
- cryptocorin;
- water lilies;
- water kombomb;
- apogonetone;
- Cuban hornwort.
Lighting
Herbalist aquariums require good and plentiful light. The duration of daylight hours for aquatic plants should be at least 10-12 hours.
If there is a lack of light, additional light sources, LED backlighting or reflectors are used.
Priming
Coarse river sand or fine gravel with non-sharp edges may be used as soil. Before laying it is recommended pre-place the substrate on the bottom. In the future, it will contribute to a more active growth and development of plants.
Equipment
For the green inhabitants of the Dutch aquarium to feel good and fully develop, it is necessary for them to create comfortable living conditions. Not the last role is played by special equipment that maintains biological equilibrium in the tank.
The technical equipment of the Dutch aquarium involves the installation of the following devices:
- filtration equipment;
- compressor;
- system of additional supply of carbon dioxide;
- a heater that maintains a temperature of + 25 ° C.
Work with plants
Planting tall plants is carried out along a line along the back wall of the tank. Low instances are placed in the foreground.
Combination of plants in large groups is allowed. This will achieve the greatest naturalness of the underwater garden.
In no case should you adhere to the symmetry and "mirror" arrangement of plants. Placing plantings in this way completely deprives the underwater garden of harmony, naturalness, natural naturalness.
Group plantings in which plants contrast with each other look very impressive.
These can be combinations of plants with burgundy and emerald foliage, with openwork and lamellar leaves, with short straight and strongly curly shoots.
Additional design guidelines
The independent production of the underwater landscape of the Dutch aquarium also involves the use of additional decorative elements. These can be stones, driftwood, artificial grottoes and caves, shells and corals. However, they cannot be used in large quantities, filling all the free space.
Please note that Decor items should match each other in style. So, a plastic decor can look ridiculous and superfluous against the background of natural sea shells and corals.
When planning to launch fish in a prepared Dutch aquarium, you need to familiarize yourself with their characteristics in advance. In the underwater garden, it is not recommended to keep fish prone to eat aquarium vegetation. In addition, some species of fish have a habit of digging in the ground, digging it at the roots of plants. Representatives of such species can not be kept in a Dutch aquarium.
It is not difficult to take care of the underwater garden, however, it is important to carry out all the necessary procedures regularly. So, weekly should replace 1/10 of the old water in the aquarium with fresh. Debris accumulating at the bottom, dying and dead plant fragments must be removed in a timely manner. And also regularly need to clean the walls of the tank from algae that grows with a long daylight.
The performance of the equipment should be monitored. Filters must be cleaned of clogs in a timely manner. Besides, It is important to monitor the functioning of the carbon dioxide supply system.
Read more about the Dutch aquarium in the next video.
