In this video, I set up a 3.5-litre desktop aquarium designed to sit on the store counter.
Working at this scale comes with unique challenges — from selecting the right hardscape and substrate to choosing plants that won’t overwhelm such a small space.

The goal was to create a balanced, natural layout that is compact, engaging to look at, and appropriate for a high-traffic retail environment. Despite a few unexpected challenges along the way, the final result turned out beautifully and adds a charming focal point at the counter.

If you're in Melbourne, feel free to visit and see our display aquariums in person.
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In this video:

Creating a Tiny Dalua Desktop Aquarium for the Front Counter

The store's front counter has been looking a little bare lately, and I had this Dalua desktop aquarium just sitting in the studio collecting dust.

I thought it would be nice to have something for customers to look at while they’re at the checkout — because heaven forbid we make eye contact.

Little did I know, with such a small space, getting the right sense of scale could be challenging. But I think the end result is surprisingly adorable.

Hardscape Selection

There are many beautiful aquariums in our front room, but none are this tiny.

Sitting at around 3.5 L (1 gallon), there’s not much you can put into this little box.

Choosing the Bioscape spider wood was a no-brainer — it’s the smallest wood we have. I grabbed a handful and used the hardscaping station to find which piece fits best.

I was thinking about using WIO Emerald Gravel Mix because I love the colour, but I also wanted to drape the driftwood over the standing stones — these pieces were just too small.

So, I chose Seiryu Stone instead. Its larger particle size contrasted with ADA soil, which would have been too dominant in a tank this tiny. Using a fine substrate creates better balance.

Hardscape Build

Cutting driftwood to fit isn’t easy, and “girl math” says secateurs could handle the job. I was wrong.

I used rolled-up toilet paper and liquid glue to bind the driftwood to the stones. This ensures it doesn’t float to the surface like a little corpse when filling the tank.

Next, I added the soil:

• Thinner at the front, thicker at the back to create perspective.

• Experimenting with placement ideas is fun — and easy to overthink.

To break up the flat colour of the soil, I added some sand and Crushed Seiryu Stone.

Planting Process

A tiny tank requires tiny plants, or it risks turning into a glorified vase.

I pinched some Fissidens moss from another aquarium and used thicker glue to cover the toilet paper sticking out.

For carpeting, I chose Elioaris (dwarf hairgrass) because it stays small and compact. I rinsed the tissue culture and broke it into bite-sized pieces.

Using tweezers, I planted them carefully around the foreground. It’s fiddly work, so patience is key.

Next, I filled the tank with reverse osmosis water and added the background plants.

Green Rotala is a hardy stem plant that doesn’t grow as fast as Ambulia. To get an even spread, I aligned the tops of three to four stems and pinched them at the bottom to standardise their length. Then I planted them deep for a better chance at rooting.

Final Result & Notes

It’s no Mona Lisa, but given the size, I think I chose the right plants for the job.

My main concern was the hardscape looking too big, but the wood and stone aren’t overbearing.

I nearly had a heart attack spilling water over the electricals while placing the tank down in front of the boss — but I don’t think they noticed.

I added a pinch of equilibrium, calcium, some beneficial bacteria, and a pinch of fish food to start the cycle.

To keep algae at bay, I was thinking of adding a few shrimp (four or five), though I haven’t decided on the colour yet.

Overall, I’ve created another interesting little display for the store.

If you’re in Melbourne, come and check us out! We have heaps of wonderful displays and, of course, lots of fish.

Thanks for watching.