The document discusses the "Dutch style" aquarium, which focuses on dense planting and creating an underwater garden-like appearance. Key aspects of the Dutch style include having more than 70% of the aquarium floor planted, with three distinct depth areas filled with schooling fish. Judging of Dutch style aquariums considers biological, aesthetic, and general criteria. Extensive knowledge of aquatic plants is important since they are the primary material used to densely plant and artistically arrange in the aquarium landscape.

1. “Dutch Style”
aquarium
(short version)

2. Presentation:
Bart Laurens

3. Dendrobates azureus

4. Gonocephalus grandis

5. Photography: Bart Laurens.
This picture was made by Willem van Wezel 

11. The main focus is placed upon the
growth and arrangement of aquatic
plants. Traditionally, Dutch planted
aquariums are compared to underwater
gardens.
Source: Dutch Aquarium Aquascape: A style from the
1930s by Aquascaping Love · December 18, 2013

14. E. Kerssens, foto: André de Graaf

15. E. Kerssens, foto: André de Graaf

16. Keeping a sense of harmony and simplicity is
crucial, taking into account that Dutch planted
aquariums are very dense. More than 70% of
the aquarium floor should be planted.

17. C. de Wit

18. A typical Dutch style aquarium
Pogostemon sp. Kimberley

19. The role of fish in the Dutch Aquarium looks
like an additional one, but nevertheless, is
very important. The three areas of the tank
should be filled with fish that emphasize the
beauty of each of them. Schools of at least 12
fishes are preferred.

20. The Nederlandse Bond Aqua Terra
N.B.A.T.

24. Group A, fresh water:
community aquarium - category A1
special aquarium with fish and plants - cat. A2
special aquarium with mainly fish - cat. A3
special aquarium with color and breedingforms - cat.
A4
Group B, salt water:
Group C, Terraria:
Group D, ponds:

25. The judge will review the aquarium on base of
fifteen "subjects", these criteria are divided
into three categories:
- biological,
- aesthetic and
- general.

26. Key aspects in the Dutch Aquarium judging
contest scoring
• the health of fish and other animals and the
aquatic plants,
• water parameters (optimal temperature,
suitable levels of PH, phosphate and nitrates;
hardness) PH 7, GH 8-10, KH 4-6, nitrates 10,
phosphate 0,25 – 1, nitrites 0.
• selection of plants, use of color and contrast
• selection and compatibility and number of fish
in comparison to the size of the aquarium and
environmental conditions
• general design and layout
• equipment setup (should be out of view)

27. The Dutch champignon in 2016 category A1
Jos Wiedenhoff.

28. Blyxa japonica
Cryptocorine beckettii
Egeria densa
Hydrocotyle leucocephala
Hygrophila difformis
Lobelia cardinalis mini
Ludwigia perennis
Micros.pter. hammerhead
Microsorum pteropus brassii
Pogostomon erectus
Pogostomon helferi
Polygonum odoratum
Rotala indica
Rotala rotundifolia
Utricularia vulgaris
Vallisneria neotropicalis
Ammania gracilis
Bacopa australis
Bacopa caroliniana
Crytocorene wendtii bruin
Hydrocotyle leucocephala
Hygrophila difformis
Hygrophila hippuridoides
Hygroryza aristata
Limnophila aquatica
Lobelia cardinalis
Ludwigia repens
Microsorum trident
Monosolenium tenerum
Mos Taxiphylbem barbieri
Myriophyllum tetrandrum
Riccia fluitans
Vallisneria spiralis
Alternanthera reineckii minor
Ammannia gracilis
Bacopa caroliniana
Bacopa monnieri
Barclaya longifolia
Blyxa japonica
Cryptocoryne spec.
Cryptocoryne spiralis
Diplis diandra
Hygrophila balsamica
Hygrophila corumbosa smal
Hygrophila difformis
Limnophila aromatica - groen
Ludwigia inclinata verticillata “Cuba”
Ludwigia repens var.
Nymphaea lotus "green"
Nymphaea lotus "rood"
Pogostemon helferii
Pogostemon stellata
Potamogeton schweinfurdi
Rotala macrandra
Rotala macrandra - mini
Rotala rotundifolia
Rotala rotundifolia “super red”
Rotala spec. “Nanjenshan”
Staurogyne repens

29. The most important requirement for
aquascapers Dutch style is to have extensive
knowledge regarding aquatic plants. Since
they represent the main materials used in
Dutch aquascaping, it is very important to
know how to plant, group and combine them
so that the final arrangement will become
aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Most
magnificent Dutch planted aquariums are
characterized by high density, rich contrast
and subtle use of color and texture.

31. Saurus cernuus, Lobelia cardinalis and other
low growing plants can help to create the so
called ‘Dutch street’, a pathway set at the
viewing angle, which ascends toward the back
of the tank, creating an extra illusion of depth.

32. The Nature Aquarium Style
The Nature Aquarium is one of the two major
styles dominating the world of aquascaping.
The basic Nature style aesthetic concepts have
been introduced by Japanese aquarist Takashi
Amano.

33. Grouping of rocks, driftwood and aquatic
plants in order to create an underwater
miniature representation of particular
terrestrial landscapes. In the majority of cases,
the Nature Aquarium aquascapes depict
scaled-down versions of rainforests,
mountains, hillsides or valleys. Elements of
Japanese gardening are generally used when
building a Nature aquarium.

34. Grouping of rocks, driftwood and aquatic
plants in order to create an underwater
miniature representation of particular
terrestrial landscapes. In the majority of cases,
the Nature Aquarium aquascapes depict
scaled-down versions of rainforests,
mountains, hillsides or valleys. Elements of
Japanese gardening are generally used when
building a Nature aquarium.

35. Amano:The Nature Aquarium style occupies
about 80% of advanced and intermediate
aquarists in Japan. Japanese people have
always been fond of gardening. In Japan, the
beauty of Nature no matter how small or
large, has always been a part of Japanese
culture.

36. My own tank
3.10 x 65 x 50 cm (l x d x h)

37. The END

38. Look at my website:
www.bart-laurens.nl