Welcome to a little paradise full of precise shapes and harmonious play of colors! Our “Mini-Dutch” transports you directly into the world of a lovingly designed, tiny garden under water. The perfectly trimmed plants form small hedges and beds, while soft light makes their colors shine. You could almost think you were walking in an enchanted park between flowering bushes and green lawns.

A typical “Dutch aquarium” is characterized by clear structures, lush rows of plants and a neat, horticultural arrangement. With our “Mini-Dutch”, we show that this style can also be achieved in the smallest of spaces. The focus here is on regular pruning and well thought-out plant selection, creating a feeling of order and liveliness at the same time.

Clear structure in the aquarium

In this picture you can immediately see the precise design of the "Mini-Dutch". The foreground, extensive grasses frame the tightly drawn middle ground, while the rear area rises up airily. Thanks to targeted plant cuts, the layout looks like a flawless, tiny garden in which every plant has its defined place and radiates perfect harmony. It is precisely this combination of structure and lively growth that makes a Dutch-inspired nano aquarium so appealing.

What you need for this aquarium

For the “Mini Dutch”, we opted for the classic Nano Cube 30 L in the Complete version. The set immediately contains the right amount of culture medium and shrimp gravel. You can find everything else in the product list below.

Nano Heater Constant

From 29,99 €

Aqua Elixir

From 11,99 € (47,96 € l)

Nano Cube Complete

From 169,99 €

Product Sheet

Scaper's Tools Set

39,99 €

Carbo Bio Style 120

69,99 €

Plant Care NPK

From 15,99 € (63,96 € l)

Plant Care Pro Daily

9,99 € (99,90 € l)

Plant Active Enzymes

16,99 € (339,80 € kg)

Plan for planting

For the “Mini-Dutch” we chose three plants that cover different heights and color nuances:

Micranthemum glomeratum: Green stem plant in the background, ideal for spherical topiary, similar to a box tree.
Eleocharis pusilla: Serves as a foreground carpet that resembles a lush lawn.
Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Fancy Pink': A pink highlight among all the green, which creates contrast with its delicate color.

This combination creates a clear, stepped layout that reflects the typical charm of a classic “Dutch” aquarium.

The colorful eye-catcher!

The focus of the aquarium is the fascinatingCryptocoryne wendtii 'Fancy Pink'Its delicate pink tones act as a natural eye-catcher in the otherwise green pool and bring that certain something to our "Mini-Dutch". The slight marbling of its leaves gives the layout additional depth and dynamism. Thanks to its robust nature, the plant fits easily into the overall picture in the long term and enchants again and again with its unusual play of colors.

The care

Classic care is essential for the success of the "Mini-Dutch". In the first five weeks we recommend weekly water changes of around 50%. From the sixth week onwards you can reduce this amount to around 20-30%. Start with eight hours of lighting per day, interrupted by a one to two hour break in the middle. Week by week you increase the total duration by 30 minutes until you reach a maximum of ten hours.

The nutrient supply is also important: you can start fertilizing from the second week, initially with only half the recommended dosage. Particular attention is paid to pruning - especially the stem plantMicranthemum glomeratumshould be cut regularly and kept in shape. You can replant the cut shoots directly to make the plant look denser and bushier. Keep the "lawn" of the Eleocharis flat so that it looks uniform and well-groomed.

If the Cryptocoryne 'Fancy Pink'If it gets too big or produces too many leaves, remove individual leaves to maintain the harmonious overall appearance. You can find more tips on how to get started and how to care for it in our beginner's guide on YouTube (insert link), which explains everything you need to know step by step.

More guides

View all

In-Vitro für Einsteiger

Das „Einsteiger In-Vitro“ im Nano Cube 20L ist die perfekte Wahl für alle, die ihr erstes Aquarium starten möchten – einfach, übersichtlich und mit bewährten Pflanzen aus In-Vitro-Kultur. Die Mini-Landschaft-Steine bilden eine klare Struktur, während pflegeleichte Pflanzenarten wie Eleocharis pusilla...