Kauai - Iwagumi

[ian]

yet another journal (lol). The dutch got taken down yesterday, leaving me with a empty glass box.

tank - 20ltr cube

lighting - 11 watt arc pod

Filtration - Resun Cyclone external filter

Substrate - Colombo florabase

Ferts - TPN plus daily

C02 - Yeast method vis glass diffuser

Plants - Riccia, Cryptocoryne costata, Eleocharis parvula

Livestock - Ember tetras

Full tank

The rocks (they were found locally)

this tank is done as a project as i have been asked to help with another cubed tank. Hopefully it'll grow well and look OK.

Comment and critiques welcome.

 

[Verminator89]

I'm really liking the rock work. With Iwagumi scapes you normally see jagged and rooked looking rocks, the smoother effect is slightly different and i like it alot. Also the colour is very interesting, adds another dimension to the tank.

Personally i think HC will look alot better than riccia, but each to their own.

Have you any ideas on fauna yet?

EDIT: Didnt read that far down as i was distracted by the images as they popped into view. Ember tetras, got it

 

[ian]

cheers James, i may think about using HC on the main tank i have been asked to assist with. I used Riccia as i have got loads kicking about. Hopefully the hairgrass will take off around the main stone.

 

[lljdma06]

Grow the hairgrass taller around the rocks and you'll soften the edges. Can you get P. helferi? Add another crypt if you've got it. The back corner can handle another one.

I like the warmer rocks too. I would add shorter hairgrass to the right of the smaller stones, but keep it shorter than the other hairgrass. That hairgrass peeking out of the crevice looks kind of odd to me, but that will change as the tank grows.

Otherwise, it is a very good start. I like the Riccia, IMO, it looks very nice and it is easier to grow. HC, while lovely, can be a pain in the rear and cam frankly put off newbies to Iwagumi, so I like seeing other options for Iwagumi that are easier to grow. Remember, you are going from a Dutch, densly planted layout to this, with a lot less plant mass. Ferts may need to be adjusted.

 

[ian]

cheers llj, i have chopped the ferts. I will be dosing TPN every other day for a bit and see what happens. Hopefully the hairgrass will grow and match up to that in the crevice, if not, i will remove it.

 

[ian]

heres a vid! lol

 

[lljdma06]

heres a vid! lol

Obsessed... LOLOL... Like I'm not camera happy either.

I was thinking, how big is the cube for the display tank, Ian?

 

[Carlovel1]

Great tank ian, love the minimalist look. I like the rocks, they seem to blend in very well with the rest of the scape. Have to say though, would have liked to seen a little bit of a change from Riccia But it looks great so far. And is the tank's filter the Chinese external you bought a few weeks ago (can't remember its name) Its very well hidden if so

 

[Verminator89]

Cracking video Ian, lots of flow! Wow.

I know its not strictly keeping to the laws of 'iwagumi', but i can't help thinking that if the lawn at the front was HC. (Bear with me here) I can't help but think that the odd cryptocoryne parva plantlet dotted in amongst it would really set this tank off. Especially with the hairgrass filling in around the rocks, which will look amazing IMO.

Just an idea, ofcourse this is an iwagumi scape so it wouldnt fit in with that idea.

 

[ian]

I was thinking, how big is the cube for the display tank, Ian?

The tank in question is 120 ltrs.

Have to say though, would have liked to seen a little bit of a change from Riccia

cheers Carl, i only used it as i have loads and rather buy a 5 pots of HC, thought i might just put it to some use (not payday yet, lol). If the tank takes off, i may but some HC for it.

And is the tank's filter the Chinese external you bought a few weeks ago

Yes' its a Resun cyclone and well worth the money. Keeps the water crystal and is tiny, it holds about 1.5ltrs of water as well. Has loads of media. Also runs at 200ltrs an hour, so the flow is great!

I know its not strictly keeping to the laws of 'iwagumi', but i can't help thinking that if the lawn at the front was HC. (Bear with me here) I can't help but think that the odd cryptocoryne parva plantlet dotted in amongst it would really set this tank off.

I agree, it maybe something to think about if i do decied to plant some HC. As you can see there are a couple of crypts dotted about, i may move these about.

Thanks peeps for the ideas!

 

[lljdma06]

I was thinking, how big is the cube for the display tank, Ian?

The tank in question is 120 ltrs.

May I suggest then that the Iwagumi for that tank have a concave scape? Confining rocks to only one side will look odd in a tank that large, especially if the tanks are so close to the edge. This works great in your little cube, but a larger tank will call for something different. Do a concave scape, and have the lowest point of the concave curve at the golden ratio. If the substrate is high towards the back, you'll create a tank with a great deal of depth. Otherwise, you can keep many of the elements, even the rock choice. The color of the stones would lend itself well to trailing HC if you can get yours to grow that way. P. helferi, hairgrass, I can already picture the scape in my mind.

 

[ian]

right, i have had a little move around. I have bought a couple of pots of HC, just to see if it will take off in this tank. If it does i might add some more. Also, a few Cherry shrimp added from the other tank.

 

[Verminator89]

Yeaahhh, HC thats what i like to see. IMO the most stunning plant possible in the hobby, if grown properly and carpets well. Fingers crossed for you, seeing your other tank and its growth i doubt you'll have problems.

Wish my HC was as lush and green as that, well it was when i bought it

 

[ian]

Thats it James, i totally agree. I have used it before and not had much luck. With this one running C02, it might stand a chance! Thats why i didn't buy anymore pots, as it's just a waste of money if it just stays as it is.

 

[Carlovel1]

Thats it James, i totally agree. I have used it before and not had much luck. With this one running C02, it might stand a chance! Thats why i didn't buy anymore pots, as it's just a waste of money if it just stays as it is.

Interesting to see how yours gets on, I've just planted mine in my tank. Cheeky tip- My mate told me the way to get it to grow really quickly is to overdose the ferts