36cm Iwagumi

**njxdw** · 27th Jun 2016, 20:41

Hey guys, I'm a 14 year old from Singapore. Here is my new scape that I decided to do after all my rcs died

5.5g Planted Tank

Hey guys, decided to document the progress in one place. Firstly, the backstory. One upon a time, this tank was used for dwarf cichlids, like the really tiny ones. After that, I did many scapes with rcs only and they kept dying..? Those scapes were not very nice anyways. I'm currently in process of the dry start method.. In this tank I aim to get a full carpet of Monte Carlo with an iwagumi-esque style with a little bit of colour in the background, only using minimal ferts/flourish excel and low tech lighting. Sidenote: the rotala already looks like it's dying haha.

Tank:
Standard 5.5

Substrate:
1x 3L Black plant substrate from seaview

Plants:

Background:
Cryptocoryne wendtii?(unsure of exact species)
Microsorum pteropus
Rotala rotundifolia

Stone:
Vesicularia dubyana

Foreground:
Monte Carlo

Water Change:
-

Lighting:
2x 7W Ikea desk lamp, on for 6~12 hours

CO2:-

**ikcti** · 27th Jun 2016, 22:04

Are you using paper on the sides? If you want a white background you might want to consider oyama paper which you can stick quite nicely onto the tank. Pretty cheap too 😁

I once did a low tech scape with a monte carlo carpet too, it looked nice but after a while was overcome by algae, hope yours does better!

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**njxdw** · 27th Jun 2016, 22:05

Haha it was just to block out the distractive stuff on the sides, usually isn't there

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**njxdw** · 23rd Jul 2016, 21:20

Flora:
Added rotala rotundifolia and pogostemon helferi. P. Helferi was hard to plant, kept floating to surface, now not planted properly hence leaves melting... Will probably keep it plain if it dies. Rotala turning pink since I bought it. Monte Carlo doing very well, pearling even though lighting is usually indirect sunlight+5 hours of 6.3w 2700k led bulb.

Fauna:
Added 6 Celestichthys margaritatus
And 1 Caridina multidentata
1 cpd died within 1st day of introduction and 1 yamato died after jumping out of my tank. Also the cpds a bit shy for my liking.

**njxdw** · 23rd Jul 2016, 21:23

It has been 1 month and 4 days hence many changes were made

) pretty self explanatory. Dosing:
EIHO plant complete 2 drops alternate days
Flourish Excel 1 thread line alternate days

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**AQMS** · 24th Jul 2016, 11:48

Are you still using the Ikea lamp? Lighting does not work for plants at 2700k,at 6500k is good for plant growth.
Your pogostemon helferi aka downoi will definitely melt,it is a demanding plant. It need strong lights and sufficient Co2.
Read this...
https://aquaticforever.wordpress.com...elferi-downoi/

**AQMS** · 24th Jul 2016, 11:51

You can still use the Ikea light fixture by changing the light bulb to 6500k.

**njxdw** · 24th Jul 2016, 12:25

Dennis Wong on YouTube has many successful planted tanks, super lush with 2700k bulbs. Anyway, since the mc is pearling and rotala is turning red, it should be fine.

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**Mameshrimps** · 25th Jul 2016, 09:32

Good Luck with your setup.

**Mameshrimps** · 25th Jul 2016, 12:03

Originally Posted by njxdw

Dennis Wong on YouTube has many successful planted tanks, super lush with 2700k bulbs. Anyway, since the mc is pearling and rotala is turning red, it should be fine.

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I don't really see much of his planted tank really hahaha. But can try. There's always room for upgrade. By the way, I think his lights are custom BML. If you are going for high light demanding plants, you might wanna try to get better bulbs or LEDs. He is a good example to follow because he is a seasoned aquascaper. If ya new try to go slow and easy. I think ya on the right track. Need lotsa trial and error. Good luck.