Iwagumi (Stone Garden)
Japanese minimalist style. Hardscape: 3–7 stones (always odd number) of similar texture, varying sizes. Plants: 1–3 carpet species, no stems.
Principle: rule of thirds. The largest stone (oyaishi) at 1/3 from one side. Two supporting stones flanking. Optional accent stones for asymmetry.
Ideal stone choices: Seiryu (jagged grey-blue), Ohko (round dragon stone), Ryuoh (cracked black).
Nature Aquarium (Takashi Amano)
The style that defined modern aquascaping. Combines hardscape (rocks, driftwood) with mixed plant species to recreate natural landscapes.
Famous compositions: forest scenes (driftwood as trees), mountain scenes (stones as cliffs), riverbank scenes (slope hardscape).
Plant variety: 5–15 species mixed for color and texture.
Dutch Style
Heavy planting, no hardscape (or minimal). Plants arranged in distinct rows by color and texture, like a flower garden viewed from outside.
Strict aesthetic rules: no two same colors adjacent, no plant taller than 2/3 the tank height, "Dutch street" of red plants running diagonal.
Most plants per square foot of any style.
Jungle Style
Wild, overgrown, naturalistic. Plants allowed to grow large and intertwine. Driftwood with epiphytes (anubias, java fern, bucephalandra).
Lower maintenance than other styles. Forgiving of imperfection.
Biotope
Recreates a specific real-world habitat. Only species native to that habitat.
Examples: Amazon basin (cardinal tetras, leaf litter, twigs, soft acidic water), Lake Malawi (rocky African setup, hard alkaline water, Mbuna).
Educational and authentic. No mixing of species from different continents.
Composition Principles
Rule of thirds: divide tank into 3 vertical and 3 horizontal sections; place focal points at intersections.
Negative space: don't fill every inch. Open areas guide the eye.
Triangular composition: low plants in front, taller stems in back, creates visual depth.
Golden ratio: 1.618 — proportions that please the eye, applied to hardscape placement.