I have found aldrovanda to be easy as, I use containers as small as 0.5L to as large as 300L ponds.
I have found the most crucial factors to be PH, Light and CO2, but providing two out of three are good enough you can get away with it.
Ideally I like to use a tank at least 5L, this way a simple 1-2L CO2 reactor can be used (a coke bottle), for a substrate I have found "premium potting mix" and sand to be great, otherwise peat and sand works well.
Pine bark has also worked for me, but need replacing more frequently so I now avoid it (same for peat), I redo my aquariums 2 times a year, but my ponds have not been changed in years and everything thrives.
As per companion plants, utrics, nympheae, marsillea and eleocharis all work well and are easy to grow.
I prefer to use sunlight so I cant say for lighting, but as per dormancy I have the Esperance (SW Australia) and they have never had a dormancy in my collection as I am in the tropics.
I initially let new setups sit 2-3weeks to cure, but once your used to it this becomes a chore and you skip the cure (in saying this my ponds all have aldros so I can afford to loose a few).
I aim for a PH of 6-6.5.
Hope that helps