India’s Largest Private NatureAquarium

The Making of a 5,000-Litre Nature Aquarium

Dr. Sanjay O.P.

Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes

In the heart of Bangalore resides one of India’s most awe-inspiring private Nature Aquariums — a breathtaking underwater world that reflects both artistry and science in perfect harmony. An avid aquarium hobbyist for over four decades, Dr. Sanjay’s love for nature extends far beyond the tank — his home is shared with dogs, conures, and a Persian cat, and surrounded by a lush garden he personally tends to. Dr. Sanjay O. P. is a Senior Consultant in Adult Cardiac Intensive Care. The Weekend Aquarist caught up with the ever-busy doctor to learn more about the making of this phenomenal aquarium — a 5,000-litre ADA-inspired Nature Aquarium executed by ADA India (Still Water Aquatics).

Professional & personal background

Q: You are one of India’s leading Cardiac Intensive Care specialists. Could you briefly share your professional journey and what drives you in your medical career?

A: My professional journey spans over 3.5 decades and work experience on 3 continents. Along with intensive care, my interests lie in mechanical support for the heart and lungs, transplantation. This field of work needs constant monitoring and timely interventions along with the ability to think out of the box. The zeal to consistently perform at a high level and push boundaries in patient care is a major driving force.

Q: How and when did aquariums enter your life? What first attracted you to this hobby?

A: My first tryst with the hobby started in the late 70’s when I was gifted a small metal frame aquarium with a tar base from my late father. The aquascape was pebbles and shells with a 5 watt bulb for lighting! I housed guppies in it and very soon they multiplied which was very fascinating for me as a kid. It made me think I was doing something right even though at that stage I did not understand the science behind it. The work life is demanding. It involves a lot of practical thinking on my feet which drains adrenaline. After work I unwind daily in front of my aquarium gazing into a segment of nature created in my living room. Just the process of watching a shoal of fish swim by, the leaves of plants swaying in the water current, the shrimps beavering away on unseen algae and occasional spotting an offspring of a fish just takes the edge off and rejuvenates a tired mind, body and soul.

The vision behind the aquarium

Q: Your 5000-litre Nature Aquarium is extraordinary - not just in size, but also in concept. Could you describe the original vision behind it?

A: When I had seen Mr Amano’s Altum tank all I could think of at that stage was that I would love to have something similar in my home. I was sceptical at the start as there is always a ‘fear of the unknown’. However, after multiple discussions with Adip who is a close friend of Two decades, things started taking shape. The structural drawings were made, plumbing visited and several iterations made, electrical requirements and power backup were brainstormed. This aquarium was born and the task didn’t seem daunting any more on paper. However, I did know that this was just the beginning.

Q: It is fascinating that the living room area was designed around the aquarium. What led to that decision? Which came first—the dream tank or the house plans?

A: The tank is the centre piece in our living room. A lot of forethought and discussion had gone into the schematics and aesthetics of the space. The weight bearing of the floor slab, the design element of the tank and overhead light frames, the type of glass to be used, the feasibility of reusing the waste water drained from the tank along with the filtration sump had to be clearly ascertained. Hence, the planning for the tank and house had to go hand in hand for it to fit seamlessly. Our friend Ms Neha Vikram of Checkered Spaces was our interior designer and played a pivotal role in getting the aesthetic schematics right for this project.

Q: What inspired the Nature Aquarium style for this project, particularly the works of Takashi Amano?

A: Mr Amano was a legend in the aquatic field. He being an adept photographer clearly gave him a lot of insight into focal points and the play of shadows. His skills are clearly evident in the aquariums designed at Sumida and Lisbon. The concept of depicting the flow of water as the prime force in an aquatic setup that gels in a surreal manner with plants, drift wood & rock formations along with an appropriate selection of fauna are the cornerstones of a nature aquarium. This was primarily our inspiration for this dream project as well.

Collaboration & construction

Q: How did your collaboration with Adip Sajjan Raj and the Still Water Aquatics (ADA India) team begin?

A: Adip and his team at Still Water Aquatics are the brains behind this project. I have known them for over two decades as they had helped us with the setting up of two six footer tanks at our previous residence. The attention to detail and meticulous planning are the key traits in Adip’s team that inspires confidence and reliability. As a busy professional, I could manage to speak to them early in the morning or late in the evenings. Adip was always available on the phone and came for regular site visits which made this demanding project a reality. His keenness to listen to our requirements, practical thinking and ability to throw in ideas opened a totally new dimension which was a very pleasant learning curve to even an experienced aquarist like myself.

System design & technical aspects

Q: What were the major challenges in designing and constructing a 10 ft x 5 ft x 5 ft, 5000L custom-built aquarium?

A: The type of glass used to get good visibility with minimal refraction quotient along with adequacy of filtration and water movement to negate any dead zones were the key considerations for the tank. Apart from this the tank has visibility from three sides. The scaping had to cater to this aspect to ensure the ratios were maintained and the plant schematics had to be planned accordingly to cater to future growth patterns.

Q: Could you share some technical details of the setup (filtration, lighting, COn system, water movement, etc.)?

A: It is a sump filtered tank. The sump and plumbing pipes have a capacity of approximately 2000 L which is over and above the tank capacity of 5000L. The entire plumbing is incorporated into the flooring of the house behind the tank and a provision made to access the sump for maintenance work. The water input into the tank is via a ADA NA water system with multiple canisters which in turn feeds off the municipal water supply to the house that passes through a water treatment plant. Lighting is provided with 12 new generation ADA Solar RGB II LED lights which allow for gradual increase in intensity during the light hours that can culminate into a moonlight mode during toning down of lights. These light allow for remote access and also have the capacity to enhance any particular light spectrum requirements for a bespoke scape.

Maintenance & family involvement

Q: What does the daily, weekly or monthly maintenance schedule look like for such a large Nature Aquarium?

A: The daily schedule involves feeding of the fish and dosing the tank with ADA neutral K and ADA mineral fertiliser. Cleaning out any plant debris from the skimmer wall is a daily chore as well. An occasional change of the CO2 cylinder when empty and spraying ADA Wakibusa mist foliar spray is a requirement. Weekly maintenance involves a 50-60% water change along with cleaning the glass for algae. This includes using extra-long tools for snipping leaves and cleaning the sand. Applying substrate fertiliser and careful scrutiny of any unwanted algae growth is a weekly to do job. Dosing ADA Phyton Gift and ADA Green Bacter is done on a weekly basis. The siphoned-out tank water drains into a rain water collection sump which caters to the needs of a sizeable garden at home. Monthly maintenance includes top up of ADA La Plata sand and ADA Amazonia soil as required. The weekly maintenance is performed by a professional team from Still Water Aquatics run by Adip. The daily chores are usually done by me. Feeding has been an interesting pastime as the fish seem to sense my presence and keep following me around the tank when I walk by. Apart from this I occasionally move a plant or two around in the tank much to the dismay of the maintenance team.

Q: Your family plays a role in feeding and fertilization when you are away. Could you share more about this beautiful family involvement?

A: It has been a family hobby for us since a very long time and everyone at home chips in a bit when I am away. It’s always a blessing to have a few extra pairs of experienced eyes to spot something amiss so that remedial action can be taken in a timely manner.

Plants, fish & aesthetics

Q: What plant species dominate the aquascape, and why did you select them?

A: Ferns are the dominant species in the tank. We have needle leaf java ferns, two varieties of trident ferns along with bolbitis. The selection was based on the beauty the ferns provide when they sway in the current. Having a beautiful fern laden aquascape also comes with the additional responsibility of looking after fern health and dose adjustments of nutrients accordingly.

Q: Do you follow any particular artistic or ecological philosophy when arranging the scape? A: The scape was primarily done by Adip and his team. It revolves around the placement of 3 very large drift wood pieces. The wood has been arranged in a way that it appears to be a father, mother and child holding hands. We called it the “trinity”. It provides the backdrop for the light to travel in bursts through the current to give the visual depiction of filtered sunlight in nature. The solid nature of the wood with the powerful flow of the water current causing the plants to sway in its wake along with the shoaling of fish gives a magical finish to the scape. There is also subtle play of shadows enhanced by the placement of anubias species of plants.

Emotional & spiritual connection

Q: You spend around 1-2 hours each day sitting in front of the aquarium. What does this time mean to you?

A: It is a time for me to reflect on the day gone by and fuel thoughts for the future. It has been an amazing aquatic hobby journey for me that culminated in the making of this dream tank.

Q: As a Intensivist, do you feel this aquarium has had a direct impact on your own mental or physical well-being?

A: Success in life is attributed a lot to a persons ability to deal with and conquer stress. This hobby has provided me an insight into life and a way to deal with it effectively. When a person can generate a thriving eco-system at home; it underlines the fact that it’s possible to create and maintain natures equilibrium. So tangentially thinking: if one can do this at home why can’t the same analogy be applied at work. Essentially it’s a mindset. If one can ascertain their capacities then thoughts will lead to actions and culminate in “living the dream” concept.

Q: What has this tank taught you about patience, observation, or life in general?

A: Patience is a virtue seldom seen in today’s world. However, the time that an aquarium takes to mature and the constant underwater gardening that needs to be done to achieve the final product that the mind initially perceived is testament to the fact that patience is an inherent trait in all humans. This trait gets lost in dealing with traffic jams in cities, the nuances and politics of the work place. This hobby reminds oneself that the only thing constant in this world is change. It gives an individual a different perspective of how to adapt to life’s challenges and come out on top.

The hobby & India

Q: How do you see the aquarium hobby in India today compared to when you started?

A: Technology has changed to a large extent in the last two decades with relevance to this hobby. Filtration systems, fertilisers, lighting systems and tissue cultured plants are here to stay. AI generated aquascapes fuel the aquarists mind to boldly try something very different to the run of the mill.

Q: What do you feel is still missing in India for the hobby to grow to international standards? A: The Indian aquarists have tremendous potential and their impact is clearly visible in the IAPLC contests and multiple world forums. A few judges for these international contests are from India as well which clearly delineates that India has already made an impact at the world stage. Noted aquarists from abroad have participated in local workshops and spread their insights, tips and tricks to budding Indian hobbyists. Breeding ornamental fish locally has significantly improved over time. However, the biggest downside is the costs involved in the hobby. Hopefully over time all the gadgetry, hardware and high-grade fertilisers will be manufactured in India which will certainly boost the hobby in our country.

Future & Legacy

Q: Are there any future aquarium projects or upgrades you are dreaming about?

A: An automated fertiliser dosing system will be something I vie for. The current remotely functioning systems available in the market have glitches which need to be ironed out. In my opinion, a system which tests the water parameters, and doses regularly as per requirements will greatly help aquarists. The icing on the cake will be the device’s capability of generating data of water parameters real-time that can be accessed remotely.

Q: What advice would you give to:

• Hobbyists who dream of building a “dream tank”?

• Busy professionals who struggle to find balance or inner peace?

A: For the budding hobbyists my advice is ‘Don’t give up on your dream’. It doesn’t matter if you are starting small. What matters is commitment and perseverance to achieve your goal. Even if the road is rough determination will get you there in the end. And don’t forget to read about the hobby as there are many myths which you will enjoy decoding. For busy professionals who are looking to find balance and inner peace: this hobby provides a way to achieve both. As an individual one has to dig out the time to do something you truly enjoy. Once you hit the groove then the sky is the limit to what you can achieve.

Q: Can you recall a particularly memorable or emotional moment related to this aquarium?

A: The whole journey with this project has been a very memorable one for me. It was a dream and a bucket list aspect for me. With friends providing solid advice and practical tips and insights it has been an unforgettable learning journey in my time. Thank you once again for your time and passion. Your story will be an inspiration to many aquarists across India and beyond.

Read the full story

The complete feature follows Dr. Sanjay O.P.’s journey from a childhood aquarium to the creation, design, maintenance and philosophy of a 5,000-litre ADA-inspired Nature Aquarium in Bengaluru. Read the complete story in the October 2025 issue of The Weekend Aquarist.

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