The Versailles Grand Parterre
DutchAdvanced
The Versailles Grand Parterre
"Control, prestige, and absolute order. This layout brings the geometric perfection of King Louis XIV's gardens into a glass vessel. It’s a statement of authority and meticulous taste, perfect for a leader who values structure and flawless execution."
Minimum Tank Size
Standard 55g (48x13x21)
Volume
55 gal
Water Parameters
72°F-78°F
6.5-7 pH
Substrate
White Cosmetic Sand for central 'promenade' pathsActive Soil in planting zones
Hardscape Components
Smooth Slate StripsUsed to create the structural borders for the plant beds
Fauna Inventory
Red Phantom Tetra (Hyphessobrycon sweglesi)
Tetra
15x
Middle water column
Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata)
Invertebrate
10x
Substrate dweller / Cleanup crew
Flora Inventory
Taxiphyllum barbieri (Java Moss)
Moss
4 specialized pads
Glued to low stone borders to create 'trimmed hedges'
Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini'
Stem
6 pots
Symmetrical midground blocks
Hemianthus callitrichoides 'Cuba'
Carpeting
8 pots
Foreground garden 'lawns'
The Versailles Grand Parterre
Dutch Aquascape Plan
aquascaping.ai
January 15, 2026
"Control, prestige, and absolute order. This layout brings the geometric perfection of King Louis XIV's gardens into a glass vessel. It’s a statement of authority and meticulous taste, perfect for a leader who values structure and flawless execution."
TankStandard 55g (48x13x21) (55 gal)
Parameters72-78°F • pH 6.5-7
DifficultyAdvanced
Fauna
- 15x Red Phantom Tetra (Hyphessobrycon sweglesi)
- 10x Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata)
Flora
- 4 specialized pads Taxiphyllum barbieri (Java Moss)
- 6 pots Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini'
- 8 pots Hemianthus callitrichoides 'Cuba'
Shopping List
Tank & Supplies
| Item | Qty | Est. Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard 55 Gallon Glass Aquarium- Dimensions 48x13x21; ensure the stand can support approximately 600lbs. | 1 | $150.00 | |
| Pressurized CO2 System with Solenoid- Critical for HC 'Cuba' carpeting and maintaining the deep red of the Alternanthera. | 1 complete kit | $200.00 | |
| High-Output Full Spectrum LED (48")- Required for high-demand carpeting plants; look for programmable sunset/sunrise features. | 1 | $180.00 | |
| External Canister Filter (Rated 75G+)- Needed for high flow and compatibility with glass lily pipes. | 1 | $140.00 | |
| Glass Lily Pipes (Inflow/Outflow)- Provides the elegant, unobtrusive flow necessary for the Versailles aesthetic. | 1 set | $45.00 | |
| Adjustable 200W Heater- Set to 74°F to 76°F to balance the needs of all fauna and flora. | 1 | $30.00 | |
| Aquarium Active Soil- Concentrate in the raised planting zones behind the slate borders. | 18 Liters | $70.00 | |
| White Cosmetic Sand- Used for the central 'promenade' paths and geometric walkways. | 5kg | $25.00 | |
| Curved Aquascaping Scissors- Essential for weekly trimming of Moss 'hedges' into formal geometric shapes. | 1 | $15.00 |
Hardscape
| Item | Qty | Est. Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smooth Slate Strips- Used to create the hard borders between the white sand paths and soil plant beds. | 10-15 pieces | $40.00 |
Flora
| Item | Qty | Est. Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxiphyllum barbieri (Java Moss)- To be glued or tied to the slate borders for the 'hedge' effect. | 4 specialized pads | $32.00 | |
| Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini'- The 'Royal Red' focal blocks within the parterre garden. | 6 pots | $60.00 | |
| Hemianthus callitrichoides 'Cuba'- Foreground lawn; requires meticulous planting in small clumps. | 8 pots | $80.00 |
Fauna
| Item | Qty | Est. Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Phantom Tetra- Dazzling red schoolers that mirror the garden's regal color palette. | 15 | $75.00 | |
| Amano Shrimp- Functional cleanup crew to maintain the 'perfect' cleanliness of the hedges. | 10 | $40.00 |
Setup Guide
Architectural Layout
Day 1- Position the 55g tank on a level stand and ensure it is perfectly plumb to maintain symmetrical water lines.
- Use cardboard templates to mark the 'promenade' paths and the 'parterre' planting zones.
- Place Smooth Slate Strips vertically to act as retaining walls between the Active Soil zones and the White Cosmetic Sand.
- Pour Active Soil into the planting beds and level the White Cosmetic Sand in the paths using a fine brush.
- Mist the substrate thoroughly to prevent dust and shifting during the next steps.
Tip: Use a straight edge or ruler to ensure the slate borders are perfectly parallel, as the Dutch style relies on geometric precision.
The Formal Planting
Day 1-2- Glue the Java Moss pads onto the top edges of the slate borders using aquarium-safe cyanoacrylate to create 'boxwood' hedges.
- Divide the 8 pots of HC 'Cuba' into small plugs and plant them 1 inch apart in the foreground zones.
- Plant the Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini' in dense clusters within the center of the slate-bordered beds to create the 'Royal Red' focal points.
- Gently fill the tank with dechlorinated water, pouring onto a plastic sheet to avoid disturbing the sand and soil.
- Install the Glass Lily Pipes for a clean, non-obtrusive water flow.
Tip: HC 'Cuba' has very shallow roots; use fine-tipped tweezers to plant each plug deeply enough that only the top leaves are visible.
Establishment & CO2 Tuning
Weeks 1-4- Activate the Pressurized CO2 System, aiming for a 30ppm concentration (lime green drop checker) before lights come on.
- Set the High-output LED lighting to a 6-hour photoperiod to prevent algae while the plants adapt.
- Perform 50% water changes every other day for the first two weeks to manage the ammonia spike from the Active Soil.
- Monitor the Java Moss and begin the first 'hedge' trim in Week 3 using curved scissors to maintain a rectangular profile.
- Maintain the temperature consistently between 72°F and 75°F.
Tip: The AR 'Mini' color is the best indicator of CO2 health; if the new leaves are pale or green, increase the bubble rate slightly.
Introducing the Court
Month 1-2- Confirm the nitrogen cycle is complete (Ammonia and Nitrite at 0ppm).
- Introduce the 10 Amano Shrimp first to clean any diatoms or moss trimmings from the substrate.
- Drip-acclimate the 15 Red Phantom Tetras and release them into the main water column.
- Increase the lighting photoperiod to 8 hours as the HC 'Cuba' begins to carpet fully.
- Verify the temperature is stable at approximately 75°F for the tetras.
Tip: When trimming the moss 'hedges', use a net to catch floating debris immediately so it doesn't settle into the white sand paths.
Maintenance Schedule
Daily
Regal Feeding & CO2 Verification
Feed the Red Phantom Tetras high-quality flake or micro-pellets. Check the CO2 drop checker to ensure it is in the optimal lime-green range and verify that the solenoid is operating according to the light timer.
Weekly
The Versailles Topiary Trim
Use curved aquascaping scissors to trim the Java Moss 'hedges' into precise geometric shapes. Remove all moss clippings immediately with a fine net to prevent them from rooting in the HC 'Cuba' lawn.
Water Exchange & Promenade Maintenance
Perform a 50% water change to manage nutrient levels from the active soil. While draining, use a small siphon to carefully remove any bits of active soil that have spilled onto the white cosmetic sand promenade.
Glass & Lily Pipe Clarity
Clean the interior glass to ensure perfect viewing. Use a soft brush to clean the glass lily pipes; maintaining 'invisible' equipment is essential for the high-end formal aesthetic of this layout.
Bi-Weekly
Stem & Carpet Geometry
Trim the Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini' to maintain the symmetrical midground blocks. Thin out the HC 'Cuba' lawn if it exceeds 1 inch in thickness to ensure light reaches the lower roots and prevents lifting.
Monthly
Grand Equipment Audit
Check the CO2 cylinder pressure and refill if necessary. Clean the filter sponges in removed tank water to maintain high flow rates, and verify that the lighting intensity remains consistent for the high-demand carpeting plants.
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