Enchanted Forest
Nature Aquarium (40cm*23cm*25cm)

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Enchanted Forest was conceived to evoke the serene, dreamlike beauty of a natural forest. Crafted with a deep focus on creating depth and immersion, the layout features a combination of dragon stones and driftwood, arranged meticulously to mirror the intricate, organic flow of a woodland landscape.

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The substrate foundation was built using ADA Power Sand, topped with ADA Amazonia Version 2 soil, providing a nutrient-rich bed for healthy plant growth. Initially lit with basic planted tank lighting, the aquarium came alive after upgrading to a Twinstar B Series light — colors deepened, textures became more vivid, and the overall vitality of the plants flourished.

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The tank used Kaveri river tap water (TDS ~90), and remained a completely low-tech setup: no CO₂ injection, no fertilizers — just thriving under the natural conditions provided. This simplicity made the aquascape all the more magical, emphasizing nature’s own ability to create beauty when given the right foundation.

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The hardscape design, the play of shadows, and the subtle interplay of textures aimed to capture a moment of quiet enchantment, as if the viewer stumbled upon a hidden, untouched forest glade. Enchanted Forest was entered into The Great Indian Aquascaping Competition (TGIAC) 2021, organized by Aqua Design Amano India, where it proudly earned a rank of 28.

 

Plants used: Rotala Wallichii, Helanthium tenellum, Staurogyne Repens, Hygrophila Polysperma, Bacopa Caroliniana, Micranthemum Micranthemoides, Anubias Nana Petite. 

2021