The Taiwanese Style

The Taiwanese Style is a unique and somewhat less defined style that emerged as a hybrid. It creates a bridge between the structured Dutch style and the wilder Nature Aquarium, often adding its own playful twist.

History & Philosophy

Originating in Taiwan, this style reflects a cultural appreciation for intricate gardening. It doesn't shy away from looking "man-made." In fact, it embraces the look of a well-tended terrestrial garden, sometimes even including small figurines, bridges, or houses (though modern interpretations often skip the figurines for a more natural look).

Key Design Principles

1. High Terracing

Taiwanese tanks often feature very high substrate banking or terraces built with rocks/wood to create distinct "levels" or "shelves" for planting. This maximizes the planting surface area.

2. "Hedges" and Moss Objects

• Moss Shaping: Moss is often tied to driftwood or rocks and trimmed into specific shapes, resembling terrestrial topiaries.
• Hedges: Like the Dutch style, stem plants are trimmed into neat bushes.

3. Depth and Layering

The high terraces allow for extreme verticality. You might have a "foreground" plant growing halfway up the back wall because it's planted on a high shelf.

Hardscape Materials

• Branchy Wood: Intricate pieces of wood that provide a framework for moss.
• Small Stones: Used to build retaining walls for the terraces.

Typical Flora and Fauna

Fauna

• Schooling Fish: Small rasboras or tetras.
• Shrimp: Taiwan is famous for its ornamental shrimp breeding (like the Crystal Red Shrimp), and they are often the stars of these tanks.

Flora

• Mosses: Java moss, Flame moss, Spiky moss.
• Small leaved plants: Hemianthus micranthemoides (Pearl Weed).
• Detailed stem plants: Ludwigia arcuata, Rotala wallichii.

Challenges

• Flow: Ensuring good water circulation around the dense terraces and mosses can be tricky.
• Trimming: Requires frequent, precise trimming to maintain the "garden" look.