My First Iwagumi Attempt

[Realcaster]

Started my first attempt with Iwagumi scape 3 weeks ago.

I used HC as the main carpeting plant which i read is one of the tougher carpeting plant.
With all the posting in this forum, I started my HC journey, not knowing if I would be successful, I decide to refrain from posting here

Now the HC is into the third week and it is creeping well and the scape is 90% covered and it have successfully rooted.

i would like to share my experience so that it benefit fellow aquarist.

image.jpg

[Realcaster]

My tank setup:
- Tank: 60x30x24xcm
- Light: Green Element 48W
- Filter: ehiem 2232
- Substrate: Borneo wild(I chose this substrate this time because the granule is finer than most others. HC have fine roots and I thought it would help the plant to root faster)
- Yes, Co2
- Yes, Fertilizer
- Temperature: 28-29C (no chiller, only Fan)

This is what I did

1) The HC was planted and flooded on the same day.

2) The HC was planted dense from the start, about 60% coverage.

3) Took me 6 hrs just to plant those HC, it is in small cluster and I try to make sure the roots are planted deep.

4) The tank did not have live stock on the first 1.5 weeks, Because.....

5) Co2 is at 6bps .... Lol I doubt any live stock would survive.

6) Fertiziler: I double dose flourish, Iron, K and N every 2 days. And........... Algae Exit since first day as I expect algae to kick in really fast.

7) Light was blasting 18hrs a day...

yes, the tank is in turbo mode for 1.5 weeks... Lol

[Realcaster]

The creeping actually starts on the 3 days and pearling are seen since the first day which shows the plant is already photosynthesis with ample light and Co2

I added color shrimps after 1.5 weeks to clean up the melted leaves (about 20%) but I can see new shoots and growth everywhere. Surprisingly, I did not have any shrimp casualty.

The regime in turbo mode continues until i added Amber tetra on the third week and the Co2 have being reduce to 3bps and lighting is split to 2 X 5hrs duration.

i have archive 90% HC coverage in 3 weeks. Thank you everyone for sharing their HC experience in this forum.

[Ryan Peh]

This is quite insane!! I'm doing MC carpet now but dry start method so it doesn't seem to be creeping as fast...

[Realcaster]

Dry start method for MC should be the faster and cheaper way, i was growing MC in my other tank previously, they creep very fast even when it was in water since first day. I believe light and Co2 is crucial.

what I also found out is those MC and HC sold in seaview are emmerse and in square blocks. Separating them is a tedious affair as their roots and stem are all intertwine together. The plant are usually damage when you try to break them into smaller cluster and many would subsequently melt and rot away and their roots are usually too short to be planted.

This time round, I pre soak the blocks in 3 inches of water for 2-3 days, tried to loosen them every now and then with the planting tweezer. By the 3rd day, they are slightly loosen and some of the roots no longer entangled together. Separating the plant is a lot easier and they are lesser damage when seperating.

i am leaning towards potted MC and HC next time. Those are a lot easier to plant and almost no damages to the stems and roots. Hope these helps.

[Realcaster]

A close-up shot of the HC creeping

image.jpg

[Ryan Peh]

This is an important thread to follow! I'm definitely keeping track of this

[fireblade]

looks like I should try my hands on HC again... :P

[Realcaster]

I may be replacing the rock soon, just bought 45kg of Seiryu Rocks.

The rocks are actually meant for my new project which I plan to get a 4ft planted tank. Not sure if I should go for a Ada 120x45x45cm ..... Any advise guys? Don't want to regret later

[Ivan Choo]

Hi @Realcaster just curious what's holding you back on the ADA 120P?


Have you come across any ADA tank owner regretting their choice?


I think ADA tanks are well made and beautiful. Sure, it's expensive. Over-priced? I guess it's subjective, since everyone's definition of quality and appreciation obviously differs.


If you're a beginner I'd say skip ADA get a cheap tank and try out the hobby first. Once sure you're in it for the long haul, then invest. Obviously you're very skilled at this, so chances of failing and giving up is very unlikely. There you go, better ROI.


Since it's a 4ft tank I suppose it'll be a center-piece in your living room, why not spend more to make it the look better? We hobbyists spent tons on equipments & consumables on plants and faunas, I'd like to splurge a little more on myself (if I can afford it) by getting a beautiful tank so that I can enjoy seeing through to the fruit of my labour every single day. You do stare at your tank on a daily basis, right?


Will a ADA tank make YOUR scape successful? I'd say no, but your hard work and determination will.


Will you enjoy looking at your hard work through a ADA tank everyday? **** yeah I bet you will.


If you have the budget & the blessings from your family, I'd say go for it. It's YOUR hard-earned money and you & your family deserve it.

[Realcaster]

Thank you, there no stocks for Ada 120p currently, so no choice I went ahead with custom tank with full Crystal glass but slightly bigger. 120x60x50. 12mm. Not much cheaper than ADA I would say, but it do have greater depth.

Hopefully, it will turn out well, 3 mths into this new hobby and onto my 4th tank now

[Ivan Choo]

Good for you. Looking forward to your 4ft showcase.

[Ryan Peh]

I'm rather curious how much you spent within these 3 months...

[Realcaster]

I'm rather curious how much you spent within these 3 months...

Bad enough not to let my wife know... Lol.

but looking back, several years ago, when I was doing red arrowana and cross back com tanks, those were the bad days

[Ivan Choo]

Saw this on Facebook just now and think it'll make a great reference for your 4ft, since you have such good depth to play with on your tank!


https://www.facebook.com/exoticaquat...6180364089645/

[Realcaster]

wow nice, looks similar to my new 4ft tank specs. 2ft depth(width). The 2ft depth does offer lots of option.

I am still putting togather all the basic hardware.. it will still take a while before i can start laying out the scape.