Imagine yourself standing on the shore of a deserted tropical island: In the foreground, fine sand reflects in the crystal-clear water, while steep cliffs and dense vegetation rise up behind it – a true eye-catcher that promises both tranquility and adventure. This is precisely the feeling we aim to capture with the "Island Style" layout. Here, a nearly pristine expanse of sand meets lush vegetation, separated only by an imposing cliff edge of onko stones.

Inspired by the idea of a shoreline or island point, this 35-liter tank creates plenty of space in the foreground for easy observation of animals and clearly structured the aquascape. The dark epiphytes like Bucephalandra and Anubias form a smooth transition to the light green stem plants in the background. This creates a small, mysterious "island" full of hiding places and ravines, inviting exploration. Whether shrimp or fish, they'll find exactly the space they need here, while you can observe their fascinating behavior undisturbed.

The island is waiting!

This photo captures the entire layout in all its glory. A tranquil, sandy foreground blends seamlessly into a sloping rock formation covered in dark epiphytes. The light reflects in the water, highlighting the clear contrasts between the deep green and the light sand. Behind them, the fresh, light-green stem plants stretch toward the water's surface, creating the impression of a small jungle. Together, the stones, plants, and open foreground create a harmonious "island" feel that invites you to linger and observe.

What you need for this aquarium

Nano Heater Constant

From 29,99 €

Nano Tank Plant Pro

From 199,99 €

Product Sheet

Nano Gravel cleaner

23,99 €

Aqua Elixir

From 8,99 € (35,96 € l)

Carbo Bio Style 120

69,99 €

Scaper's Tools Set

39,99 €

Plant Care NPK

From 15,99 € (63,96 € l)

Plant Care Pro

From 15,99 € (63,96 € l)

Natural Gravel Bairaman, 0,1 - 0,6 mm

From 13,99 € (37,98 € kg)

Plant for planting

For this layout we deliberately use a manageable
Plant assortment that is easy to care for and varied at the same time:

Bucephalandra(e.g. 'Mini Red')
Anubias nana 'Bonsai'
Micranthemum umbrosum
Micranthemum glomeratum
Pogostemon erectus
Cryptocoryne wendtii 'brown'

The epiphytes sit directly on the onco-stones,
while the stem plants in the background complete the layout with rich green and
different leaf shapes. In the middle ground, the Cryptocoryne provides
a smooth transition.

Like on the beach!

Here you can see the "river" or "beach" section in detail: The amber-colored sand forms a sharp border with the rock formation, which is home to countless cracks, ravines, and small caves. These create a three-dimensional impression and offer hiding places for shrimp and nano fish. Further up, green life begins with Bucephalandra and Anubias, which cling to the rock surfaces and provide natural transitions. Together, this creates the feeling of a real island coast waiting to be explored.

The care

Maintaining the "Island Style" layout is based on our proven basic concept, as you already know from our beginner's guide. For the first four to five weeks, we recommend weekly water changes of about 50%. After that, you can reduce the water change rate to 20–30%, depending on how stable the ecosystem develops. Start with a light duration of around eight hours per day, separated by a short break, and gradually increase it to a maximum of ten hours. You should apply fertilizer starting in the second week, initially at half the dosage.

It's important to vacuum the open sand area regularly to prevent debris from accumulating. If too much residue builds up or the sand becomes unsightly, you can vacuum it completely and replace it with fresh sand. This will keep the "beach" clean for a long time and provide a calm contrast to the planted background. Make sure the stem plants in the background don't grow too densely and trim them back if necessary to ensure they receive enough light and nutrients.

If you'd like more information on running in your aquarium, removing rockwool, or planting, check out our beginner's guide videos (link follows). Have fun caring for and observing your little island paradise!

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