45X35X35Cm Iwagumi Set Up (55L)

[Aquaspot World]

Hi folks,

First journal on this wonderful forum! I hope you guys enjoy it!

Main External Ware
- 45x35x35cm (55L) Custom Opti-white tank
- Illummax - Compact 1.5ft (1x36W PL)
- DAZS - Hang-on Cooling Fan

Main Internal Ware
- Kurokinryu Stones
- ANS Planta Soil
- CO2 Diffuser - Pollen 1000 Glass

I layer the aquarium floor with mulm from an old filter. This gives me the benefit of an instantly cycled tank, and best of all, it's free!

Slightly over half a bag (about 5L) of Planta Soil goes in. The rest of the soil will be used to top up the back of the scape.

Using a Sand Flattener to push the soil into position (flat).

On top of this layer of substrate, I place the Kurokinryu Stones near the front. A total of four main stones are used. The remaining soil is topped up at the back, creating a slope.

More details coming soon!

 

[Hunterprey]

Looking very nice so far. I'll keep an eye on this and watch how it progress.

 

[Aquaspot World]

I mist the soil so that loose particles do not float up when filling the aquarium with water.

I use the lid of a regular plastic tub for cushioning the impact when filling up with water. We want the water to be as clear as possible from the start! I fill up the aquarium with just enough water for planting the foreground.

 

[Nick16]

on a tank like this you are best of scaping from front to back, so you need to slope the substrate quite a lot.
e.g 4cm at the front and about 8-10cm at the back.
it really does aid the sense of depth in the scape.

(i know you did mention the slope, but i cant see one in the pics)

cheers

 

[Aquaspot World]

on a tank like this you are best of scaping from front to back, so you need to slope the substrate quite a lot.
e.g 4cm at the front and about 8-10cm at the back.
it really does aid the sense of depth in the scape.

(i know you did mention the slope, but i cant see one in the pics)

cheers

Hey Nick. You are correct, around 4cm in the front and 8cm at the back. It also depends on what you are trying to grow. Once I'm completed with the planting, I will update with more pictures so you can see the depth.

 

[Aquaspot World]

I chose to plant the foreground with Marsilea crenata (submersed).

Cut them (2 leaves per intersection) and prepare for planting.

As this is a very slow growing plant, pack your foreground as densely as you can.

 

[Nick16]

you must keep us informed about the quality of the soil.
is it a nutrient based soil, or a clay based where it absorbs ferts from the water coloumn?

 

[lljdma06]

This is going to make for a very lovely tank.

Funny, I've not found Marsilea species particularly slow, but I've not used M. crenata. I've only used quadrafolia, hirsuta, and minuta and perhaps they are different. Probably mislabed, but it's hard with plants sometimes. What's also interesting is that despite having the plant underwater for over a year, it would still consistantly grow 4 lobed leaves, yet have the texture of submerged growth.

I bet that took patience to plant. I lacked that patience with my marsilea. It still grew well, but the coverage was not as uniform. It can get dense too! This is an interesting plant choice for iwagumi. I like it.

Great rock arrangement.

llj

 

[Aquaspot World]

This is going to make for a very lovely tank.

Funny, I've not found Marsilea species particularly slow, but I've not used M. crenata. I've only used quadrafolia, hirsuta, and minuta and perhaps they are different. Probably mislabed, but it's hard with plants sometimes. What's also interesting is that despite having the plant underwater for over a year, it would still consistantly grow 4 lobed leaves, yet have the texture of submerged growth.

I bet that took patience to plant. I lacked that patience with my marsilea. It still grew well, but the coverage was not as uniform. It can get dense too! This is an interesting plant choice for iwagumi. I like it.

Great rock arrangement.

llj

Thank you for liking it so far.

They are slow, if you compare them to regular foreground champions like Glosso, Elatine triandra or Echinodorus tenellus. They have a habit of growing 4-lobed leaves (especially M.quadrifolia), but does so very rarely. All I do is snip them off.

I'm glad it's only a 45cm tank. Patience is a real virtue in this hobby. I keep telling myself the end results will be worth it!

 

[lljdma06]

Thank you for liking it so far.

They are slow, if you compare them to regular foreground champions like Glosso, Elatine triandra or Echinodorus tenellus. They have a habit of growing 4-lobed leaves (especially M.quadrifolia), but does so very rarely. All I do is snip them off.

I'm glad it's only a 45cm tank. Patience is a real virtue in this hobby. I keep telling myself the end results will be worth it!

Ah, but when you operate mostly in a low-tech world, Marsilea is practically a weed next to an anubia. It all gets kind of warped. For me, crypts grow quite fast, but when you're comparing it to anubias and bolbitis in a low-light tank, they will seem like a fast-grower by comparison. It's all relative.

When it takes off, the crenata is going to be a great little ground cover. What are the other plant choices?

 

[bae1994]

looking good so far

 

[c-dub]

Looks good got any picks with it stocked?

 

[Aquaspot World]

Sorry for the lack of updates. Here are a few more shots of the plants. I used Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Green Gecko' behind the stones (from left to right).

US Fissidens is tied to a few small pieces of lava rocks and placed around the stones.

I will update this post with a full tank shot soon!

 

[ian]

What are you going to stock the tank with?
Looks good BTW!

 

[lljdma06]

I will update this post with a full tank shot soon!

Yes, you must. Looks great so far. What type of fissidens? fontalis? It is nice regardless.