The Iwagumi layout is the most challenging aquascaping styles out there. Developed around 30 years ago by famous aquarist Takashi Amano, this sort of aquascape represents not simply a minimalist layout, what's more, it reflects the Japanese culture, spirituality and love for beauty and simplicity.The Iwagumi term itself emanates from the Japanese ‘rock formation' and yes it refers therefore to your layout where stones play the best role. Rocks provide the ‘bony'structure with the aquascape plus the traditional geography is often a design manufactured from three main stones, out of which one one large headstone and two small others.
60cm Iwagumi AquascapeThe most difficult task when it comes to the Iwagumi aquascaping style is usually to obtain that harmony and unity through simplicity. The Iwagumi is not about just collecting quite a few stones but about placing these questions fluent, natural and spacious way so that they're related both to each other and the rest of the scape.Not all Iwagumi aquascapes are of the Sanzon Iwagumi type, meaning a ‘three-pillared rock formation '. In fact, a variety of rocks can be employed, so long as as things are an unusual number (3, 5, 7 and so on) to be able to avoid that a sense symmetry we're not going after in aquascaping.Among the most favored stones used for such a aquascape are Seiryu-seki, Maten and Shou, but there's no actual limitation. The goal should be to build a small grouping of rocks that are similar colored and texture, yet different in shapes and contour.Aquascape Examples AquascapersWith regards to planting an Iwagumi style aquascape, we have a limited number of plants you may use. This is because, certainly, the main focus should remain on the stones, which shouldn't be overcome by plants, and aquarium open space, that will prevail. The most common vegetation is low laying carpet flora like Dwarf hairgrass (Eleocharis acicularis), Glossostigma elatinoides and Hemianthus callitrichoides ‘Cuba '.Other suggested plants for that Iwagumi aquascape include: Pogostemon helferi, Riccia fluitans (submersed and bound to rocks), background plants like Vallisneria nana, Eleocharis vivipari and Rotala sp.Step by step aquascape time lapse: Aqueous Reflection 60cm YouTubeOut of all aquascaping styles, the Iwagumi aquascape looks the simpler to undertake because of simpleness its appearance, but you it is among the most tricky to obtain as well as harder to maintain.Limitation in the plant sector makes all the growing process difficult for aquascapers. Plants used when aquascaping the Iwagumi aquarium weight too much root feeders, making the choice of substrate delicate and the option of water filtration as meticulous.Furthermore the Iwagumi ask for extensive amount of expertise using what the choice of plants and hardscape is regarded, even so the aquascape itself becomes prone to algae formation.Algae can look even during the early stages of your respective aquarium's development so pay significantly attention and take measures at the same time symptoms of it. One solution to this problem is damaging the lighting cycle for around an hour during midday.60cm Minimalist Iwagumi Page 3 AquaScaping World Forum