This time we got it right

As people who are genuinely interested in fish, we tend to look at lot at the shortcomings of aquarium care - and we have a lot of negative role models to look at.
What about the good models?

When do people here feel they got it right? What are some habitats were have set up and run in which the fish have really thrived? What are the best tank ideas you have had that worked? How do you set up to make sure the fish are in a good environment?

I think Walstad/Barr for keeping a sustained aquarium, and Takashi Amano for designs. I believe them to all be good models to follow. Depends on what you are trying to accomplish.

It's funny, but I see Takashi Amano tanks as disasters. They are beautiful, but terrible longterm habitats for fish. They are planted shows, and great for their vegetation and overall looks, but the kind of control they demand seems bad for the fish. I keep seeing fairly new Amano-style tanks, but I would love to be able to observe one for the 3 year average lifespan of most fish. I sometimes wonder if the fish are put in there for the photos and removed.  
Walstad is a good model though, for extreme low stocking. It's great if you keep killies, like I do.

Lately Amano has been changing his style towards more habitat style designs and not the landscape designs that he used to do.

I agree with Gary that the landscape designs are disastrous for many fish, especially the iwagumis as they offer no hiding places whatsoever.

Walstad tanks have the reputation you can only have an extremely low stocking, but this is not true. If you have a look at this tank: https://vimeo.com/84620540 you will see he has a normal stocking and is using the Walstad method.

For me, the trick is in the power head that creates some surface movement and thus brings CO2 in the tank, the growth out of the water and the low depth.

The only thing he does, are top offs and once in a while he throws in an algae wafer. He set up this tank because he is regularly away for long periods of time and needs it to be self-sustaining.

whoa. thanks for that link biulu. nice one!