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Principles

DESIGN PRINCIPLES

Rule of Thirds

Divide the aquarium into a 3x3 grid. The intersection points are the natural focal points where you should place the main elements.

REGLA DE LOS TERCIOS
Los puntos marcados indican los focos de atención naturales del ojo humano.

The focal point

Every design needs a focal point that captures the viewer's attention. It could be a large rock, a moss-covered tree, or a spectacular piece of coral.

Triangulation

The elements are arranged to form asymmetrical triangles. This creates a sense of depth and naturalness. The classic design has a high point on one side and slopes downward toward the other.

Depth

  • Close-up: small plants, fine-grained substrate
  • Midground: rocks, wood, medium-sized plants
  • Background: tall plants, rock walls, large decorations
  • Perspective: Smaller objects in the background create an illusion of depth (forced perspective)

Golden Ratio (Fibonacci number)

The Fibonacci "golden spiral" appears in nature. In aquascaping, it is used to position the main elements. The focal point is at a ratio of 1:1.618 when viewed from the side.

Wabi-sabi (Japanese philosophy)

Beauty in imperfection and impermanence. The best designs aren't perfectly symmetrical—they feature intentional asymmetry and "imperfect" elements that make them look more natural.