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Nature Style.
A forest cross-section, in glass.
Origin
The Nature Style was defined by Takashi Amano and codified through ADA in the 1990s. It is the most photographed school of aquascaping, the planted tank most people picture when they imagine a beautiful aquarium.
Philosophy
Where Iwagumi distills, Nature Style layers. A focal point, usually driftwood or a stone arrangement, sits in the foreground or one-third position. Behind it, plants build in tiers from short carpets to mid-ground shrubs to tall stems at the back. The viewer's eye is led from the front foreground toward an implied horizon. The result feels like a slice of forest brought indoors.
What defines it
What makes a nature style tank a nature style tank.
- 01
A clear focal point (driftwood, stone, or both) placed off-center
- 02
Layered planting from foreground to background
- 03
Mosses and epiphytes attached to hardscape, not the substrate
- 04
A sense of depth, receding scale, implied perspective
- 05
Restrained livestock that complements the planting palette
In Practice
What it looks like, in glass.
Three angles on the nature style school, wide composition, mid-detail, and macro.
Wide composition
Mid-detail
Atmosphere
Close detail
Note: portfolio photography of completed Northwater installs will replace these atmospheric references soon.
Plants
The flora most often used.
A working palette, not exhaustive. We adjust species to your water, lighting, and maintenance tolerance.
Petite Anubias
Anubias barteri 'Nana Petite'
Bucephalandra
Bucephalandra spp.
Cryptocoryne
Cryptocoryne wendtii
Java moss
Taxiphyllum barbieri
Mini Super Red
Ludwigia repens 'Mini Super Red'
Livestock
Fish and invertebrates that suit.
Species that read visually with the style and tolerate its water conditions. Stocking order matters. We sequence it in your plan.
Cardinal tetra
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Ember tetra
Hyphessobrycon amandae
Chili rasbora
Boraras brigittae
Otocinclus catfish
Otocinclus vittatus
Amano shrimp
Caridina multidentata
Specifications
The practical details.
Difficulty
Intermediate
Recommended tank
60 cm and up; 90 cm is ideal
Substrate
Nutrient-rich aquasoil (ADA Amazonia, Tropica), 5–8 cm depth
Lighting
Medium, 6–7 hours daily
CO₂
Pressurized CO₂ recommended, optional for lower-tech setups
Water chemistry
Soft, pH 6.5–7.0
Best for
Anyone drawn to woodland aesthetics, the canonical 'premium planted tank.'
Begin in this style
A Nature Style tank,
for your space.
Tell us about your room, your budget, and how hands-on you want to be. We'll send back a tailored plan in this tradition.
Other Styles
