How to Aquascape: Dutch Style

Two of the major styles of freshwater aquascaping are the Nature Style and the Dutch Style. Among them, the Dutch Style is the older one. It became popular in the Netherlands in 1930, when the aquarium hobbyists created clubs and societies.  

They created rules and standards for designing and judging planted aquariums. The Netherlands has a long tradition of gardening and horticulture. It is famous for its tulips, flower gardens, and well-planned landscapes. The love of gardening inspired the Dutch aquascaping style. It is usually known as underwater gardening. 

By the 1960s and 1970s, the style became even more famous. The Dutch Society for Aquarists (NBAT) developed detailed guidelines for arranging plants with the use of color contrast and balanced layouts. These guidelines became the foundation of the Dutch aquascaping style. Most aquascapers, even today, follow those guidelines. 

The Nature Aquarium style became more popular worldwide after the 1990s. That's all because of Takashi Amano, and Dutch aquascaping remains highly respected. It continuously attracted dedicated hobbyists who appreciate its colorful, organized, and garden-like appearance.

How Is Dutch Aquarium Different?

The Dutch aquarium style focuses more on aquatic plants. It does not use rocks, driftwood, or other hardscape materials as the main design elements. Dutch aquariums are usually known as underwater gardens because they are filled with carefully arranged plants. 

However, same as the Nature style, they are not designed to look like a natural lake, river, or other real-life habitat. Instead, plants are usually arranged in groups depending on their size, shape, color, and texture. 

The careful arrangement creates a sense of depth and makes the aquarium look balanced and attractive. If you want to create a beautiful Dutch-style aquarium, you need a good understanding of aquatic plants. As plants are the main focus, it is important to know how to plant them, group them, and combine different species to get a pleasing design. 

The best Dutch aquariums are known for a large number of healthy plants. They have a strong contrast in plant colors, sizes, and shapes. There is a balanced use of different textures and a neat, well-organized layout that looks like a beautifully maintained garden.

Here are 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid While Setting Up Your Aquarium. 

What Are the Design and Layout Techniques for the Dutch Aquarium Style?

The Dutch aquarium style uses various design techniques. These create a beautiful and balanced layout. The most common technique is terracing. It is where plants are arranged at different heights. Mostly, the taller plants are placed at the back, and the shorter plants are placed in the front. 

It creates a strong sense of depth and makes the aquarium look larger. There is another important design rule, known as the Rule of Thirds. Instead of placing it as the main attraction in the center, it is placed slightly off-center. In Dutch aquascaping, the focal point is usually created using a large plant or a bright red plant that naturally draws attention. 

As Dutch aquariums are densely planted, the layout should still look balanced, clean, and simple. Usually, there is more than 70% of the aquarium floor is covered with plants. The most important feature of the style is contrast. Plants are mostly arranged in groups, and different species are chosen to create contrast in colors, leaf shapes, textures, and plant heights. 

Even if there are small spaces in between plant groups, they are equally important. These gaps can create the appearance of underwater streets or pathways. It adds depth and makes the aquarium look more spacious and natural.

What Are The Common Plants Used in A Dutch Aquarium?

Stem plants are the most popular choice for Dutch-Style aquariums because they can grow quickly. They are also available in different colors, sizes, and shapes. A good rule is to use about three different plant species for every foot (30 cm) of the aquarium length. 

It helps create a colorful and balanced layout. Aquarium equipment, like heaters and filters, is usually hidden at the back of the tank. If you want to cover them, you can use cork backgrounds or moss walls. Some of the commonly used plants in Dutch aquariums include: 

• Saururus cernuus and Lobelia Cardinalis

• Hygrophila corymbosa and Limnophila aquatica

• Cryptocoryne Species (C. lucens, C. lutea, C. walkeri, C. wendtii, and C. beckettii)

• Alternanthera Reineckii, Ammannia, and Rotala

• Tiger Lotus and Aponogeton Species

• Java Moss

Recommended Fish For A Dutch Aquarium

In a Dutch-style aquarium, plants are the main attraction. However, fish play a supporting role by adding movement and color. The right choice is to keep large schools of small fish, as they swim together and make the planted layout look more lively and attractive. Larger fish can also be used as a centerpiece species. Some of the popular fish for Dutch aquariums are:

• Schooling fish such as rasboras, tetras, and rainbowfish. 

• Congo Tetras, known for their shimmering colors and graceful swimming. 

• Angelfish are known for adding height and becoming focal points in larger aquariums.

Maintenance

Dutch aquariums look natural and require regular care and maintenance to maintain their neat, organized appearance. These aquariums need frequent trimming because many of the plants grow quickly. Regular pruning can keep the plant groups well-shaped, prevent overcrowding, and maintain the aquarium's layered design. However, there is one limitation of the style, and that is it looks best when viewed from the front, where the carefully arranged plant groups are most visible.

How to Keep Your Aquarium Clean and Thriving?

Get Started With Dutch Aquascaping. 

If you are new to planted aquariums, a Dutch-style aquarium can be challenging as your first project. It is better to start with a simple planted tank to know the basics of CO2, injection, lighting, fertilization, and plant care before you take on the higher maintenance of a Dutch aquascape. 

If you are aware of the planted tanks and are ready to move towards a more advanced setup, you need to choose an aquarium that is at least 90 cm long. A larger tank can provide enough space to create separate plant groups, which is again an important feature of the Dutch style.