Nano iwagumi - "Empire of Stone" [Hardscape]

[Rastaman]

New scape in ADA Mini M tank (36x22x26cm). In this scape I will try to not cover the stones too much with the moss, to highlight the beauty of the stone.
The whole structure is in one piece, everything is bonded with epoxy putty (and to the egg crate) :

This epoxy is great for this purpose as it gets hardened whitin a few minutes. It is two component glue and it has to be knead before aplication:

Next step is moss aplication, dry start for about 2-3 weeks.

 

[Fresh2o]

The hardscape looks pretty awesome on its own.

 

[ZxC]

Looks really good. I fear that too much moss will take away from the rock work... Keep it simple in a scape like this IMO

 

[V227]

It's so good to see another rock lover. Nice looking scape.

 

[Rastaman]

Planting

Thanks for comments!

Planting:

Riccardia was applied to the rocks (yogurt method):

After 2 weeks of dry start other plants are planted. Eleocharis accicularis at the back:

Helanthium tenellum 'Green' in the middle (just behind the rocks):

After planting the tank was flooded. Riccardia seems to have attached well during the dry start:

I have installed small pump just to have some water movement for distribution of CO2 and still not too much flow that can blow out Riccardia. I will keep it for a week or so and then Filter will be turned on. I am going to use Oase FiltroSmart thermo 100 which has declarated max. flow of 600 l/h. Kinda overkill for this size tank but I will use throttle valve so it should work well.

Day 1:

 

[Rastaman]

A small addition of color and texture - Bucephalandra sp. 'Mini Catherinae' :

3 days after the flood I measured the ammonia - It is about 1,5ppm. I changed 50% water and planning to do this schedule for the next 3-4 weeks:

 

[Rastaman]

All equipment installed:

Specs:


Dimensions: 36x22x26cm (ADA Mini M tank)
Lighting: ADA Aquasky Moon 361 (connected on LED controler)
Filtration: Oase FiltroSmart Thermo 100 (Reduced flow to about 250l/h)
CO2: 2kg cylinder, Neo Diffuser, 1 bps
Other gadgets: aFAN Pro cooling fan, Twinstar M3
Substrate: ADA Aquasoil Amazonia Light, quartz sand
Hardscape: Ancient Stones
Fertilization: PPS-Pro method, Easy carbo
Plants: Fissidens sp. 'Dwarf', Bucephalandra sp. 'Mini Catherinae', Eleocharis acicularis, Eleocharis parvula, Riccardia graeffei, Fissidens sp. 'Philippines', Helanthium tenellum 'Green'

 

[Autumnsky]

Whohoo! Another tank build!

Love the stone. Watching intently .

 

[TracyRee]

GORGEOUS. Absolutely stunning.

 

[DTWGulo]

Great build journal, and absolutely fantastic tank. Great work!!

The M3 box on the outside, that's the thing that ozonates the water for sterilization and algae-killing? Is it working? Worth the $$?

 

[Rastaman]

Great build journal, and absolutely fantastic tank. Great work!!

The M3 box on the outside, that's the thing that ozonates the water for sterilization and algae-killing? Is it working? Worth the $$?

Yes, that is in product description. But if the aquarium is not maintained, irregularly water changes, and algae are present, you should not expect this device will solve the problem.
Allegedly the oxygen concentration is increased by 20%. I noticed that in the aquariums with this device there is no surface film. It is also very important that the disc is placed underneath the filter outlet to get more mist spreading in aquarium.

For me it is worth as I won it as a prize on aquascaping contest. (tank and the light also).

If you want to try it I would suggest Chihiros doctor - same thing only cheaper.

 

[Dumbo the Fish]

Where did you get the rocks! Congratulations on the contest! It’s beautiful!!

 

[Autumnsky]

Congratulations on winning prizes for your magical work!

 

[Rastaman]

Thanks!
@Dumbo the Fish : Stones are from Poland.


Day 12:

 

[Rastaman]

Day 24:

 

[Rastaman]

Day 44:

Eleocharis growing like crazy, needs trimming and removing from the foreground. Introduced 20 Neocaridina 'Fire red'.

 

[Rastaman]

After maintenance:

 

[Autumnsky]

Nice looking as usual, I think the shrimp are going to enjoy their new home very much!

 

[Fresh2o]

Those rocks look like Ancient Stone. Nice that it is a single unit.

 

[Rastaman]

Nice looking as usual, I think the shrimp are going to enjoy their new home very much!

Thanks! Yes, they seems adapted very well.

Those rocks look like Ancient Stone. Nice that it is a single unit.

Only problem with this rocks is they rising KH and GH. Planned to keep CRS here but water is just too hard for them.