RSL Dutch Garden
- Filter
- 2 – Oase BioMaster Thermo 850
- CO2 System
- Pressurized CO2 using Milwaukee MC122US pH controller set at pH 6.5
- Lighting
- 3 – Ecotech Radion XR30 G5 Freshwater LED, 35 percent max brightness on parabolic setting, 12 hours/day
- Substrate
- CaribSea Super Naturals Peace River, ADA Aquasoil
- Hardscape Materials
- Spider Wood
Species
35 - Petitella bleheri, 20 - Puntius snyderi, 20 - Carnegiella strigata, 16 – Corydoras similis, 10 – Otocinclus affinis, 12 – Caridina multidentata
Plant species
Hydrocotyle leucocephala, Plagiochila integerrima, Staurogyne repens, Nymphaea gardneriana, Ludwigia "Rubin", Sagittaria filiformis, Cryptocoryne undulata ("axelrodii"), Hygrophila difformis, Eicchornia diversifolia, Lomariopsis lineata, Mayaca fluviatilis, Hygrophila corymbosa “Angustifolia”, Cryptocoryne cordata var. cordata, Bolbitis heudelotii, Myriophyllum heterophyllum, Justicia cometa, Crepidomanes sp. "grape leaf"
Fertilization
Micro and Macro Nutrients supplemented daily via Bubble Magus dosing pump T01
Tim Gross
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Quick Stats
- Style
- Dutch
- Size
- 183x46x56 cm
- Volume
- 471 L (124.4 gal.)
- Plant Species
- 17
- Fish Species
- 6
Judges' Comments
Very healthy-looking, well-situated plant groups. Nice, varied fish population distributed throughout the water layers.
— Bart Laurens
This tank feels straight from the Netherlands, just a beautiful classic Dutch. There's not enough room for me to list everything thats right with this tank, so I'll just touch on a couple of things that imho keep this tank from being a truly great one. Please note that the following critique assumes the creator is highly advanced already, and not to sound overly harsh The tall Hygro bush is a real wow factor, amazing effect that really catches the eye. The problem is that it appears too much in the dead center and visually cuts the tank in half. I also see that its not actually in the center. The left edge barely touches the center line, it is completely in the right half. Thats by design Im sure. But the strong visual impact makes it feel like its dead center. It's also competing with the Rubin and the Nymphaea as the main focal point The lack of a strong focal point in the correct spot is the tank's main weakness imho. The red Lud Rubin is too far to the left. The Nymphaea is almost close enough to work, but it lacks the color, height and size to really command enough attn The Staurogyne street could benefit from having some space between the plants on either side of it. That would improve the separation and depth. Its also a shame the pic was cut off at the bottom, if you could show a little negative space in front of the Stauro street, like the rest of the foreground has, that wouldve been a really good look And just a personal opinion, Id like to see the Eichhornea continue more to the right, coming down partially in front of the Rubin as it makes the nice downward descent you created with height control and good pruning right there. Thats just one of many masterful strokes that went into creating this beautiful Dutch aquascape
— joe harvey
This my favirote entry of 2025 despite some design challenges. There were other entries with better contrast. And yet others with better trimming and group management. The dominant Ludwigia seems to be balancing counter echo in one of the other focal points. The central Hygrophila is, well, central and symmetry-inducing. Yet somehow, this pulls it all together in a calm, confident, masterful way that I have no choice but to say, 'Here's your gold star!' A nod to you for bringing Justicia comata into this art form. The custom length of this tank was made for Dutch. That you have achieved a sense of depth with just 45 cm of front-to-back distance is commendable. That you exercised restraint on red stem plants is appreciated. Inert substrate, warm tones, and textured back walls is...all very Leiden.
— Vin Kutty
Premier Sponsors
Associate Sponsors
Club Sponsors
Come Grow with The Aquatic Gardeners Association.
Since 1985 the Aquatic Gardeners Association has been the standalone organization focused on promoting aquatic plants, education, aquascaping, and fostering the community of planted aquarium enthusiasts.
The Aquatic Gardener Magazine
Membership has its privileges—such as a subscription to the award-winning quarterly journal The Aquatic Gardener, available in both print and digital formats, access to the digital archive of all published issues as well as video from our convention speakers dating back 25 years. With more exciting projects on the horizon you’ll be part of a unique community of aquatic plant and aquascaping fans eager to expand our side of the aquarium hobby.
Join us for the only aquatic plant & aquascaping focused convention in North America!
Guided Aquascaping & Wabi Kusa Workshops • Aquascaping Demo • Vernal Pool Field Trip • World-Class Speakers • Giant Vendor Room • Charity & All-Day Auctions
Visit our website to register and watch social media for updates! AGA2026.ORG.