I created this layout as one of the IWAGUMI layout series with Ryuoh Stones, including my past works, such as “Supporting Rocks” and “Knot Rocks”, rather than building it from a specific landscape, while having a jumble of rocks seen in nature as a motif. I tried arranging stones as consciously thinking about the relevance to the world views of my first two aquascapes. The Ryuoh Stones in this layout are well-balanced by taking advantage of the distinctive powerful look as if megaliths standing in the vertical direction, are gathering together. With the combination of Ryuoh Stones and bright aquatic plants, the aquascape looks powerful and bright.

DATA

Shooting date: March 31st, 2022(ADA)
Creator: Naru Uchida
Aquarium: Cube Garden W120×D50×H50(cm)
Lighting: Solar RGB x 2, turned on for 8.5 hours per day
Filter: Super Jet Filter ES-1200(Bio Rio G)
Material: Ryuoh Stone
Substrate: Aqua Soil – Amazonia ver.2, Power Sand Advance L, Bacter 100, Clear Super, Tourmaline BC
CO2: Pollen Glass Beetle 40Ø, 5 bubbles per second via CO2 Beetle Counter (using Tower)
Aeration: 15.5 hours after the light is turned off using Lily Pipe P-6
Additives: Green Brighty Neutral K, Green Brighty Mineral, Green Brighty Iron
Water change: 1/2 once a week
Water quality: Temperature: 25ºC; pH: 6.8; TH: 50 mg/L

Plant
BIO Mizukusa no Mori  Glossostigma elatinoides
BIO Mizukusa no Mori  Hemianthus callitrichoides ‘Cuba’
BIO Mizukusa no Mori  Micranthemum sp.
BIO Mizukusa no Mori  Hydrocotyle tripartita ‘Mini’
BIO Mizukusa no Mori  Hydrocotyle verticillata
BIO Mizukusa no Mori  Cyperus helferi
BIO Mizukusa no Mori  Riccia fluitans
BIO Mizukusa no Mori  Hygrophila sp. ‘Araguaya Red Sharp’

Fish
Nematobrycon lacortei
Crossocheilus oblongus
Otocinclus sp.
Caridina multidentata

 

To establish my own style
A world view of an Iwagumi layout can be created uniquely for each aquascape with stone arrangements, including the presence of an Oya-ishi (main stone), Fuku-ishi (secondary stone), and Sute-ishi (ornamental stone). In this aquascape, as the title suggests, Ryuoh Stones are gathering like a family. I tried making a composition structure, aiming at such a view. I am aiming to build a world view of the aquascape in line with the other two aquascapes I created in the past based on important elements, such as well-positioned center of gravity, flow of water, and a sense of perspective.

 

“Gathering Rocks”
Photo taken on March 31, 2022

“Supporting Rocks”
Photo taken on September 1, 2021

“Knot Rocks”
Photo taken on February 14, 2020

A jumble of stones and creatures living there
I chose short aquatic plants, such as Glossostigma elatinoides, Riccia fluitans, and Hydrocotyle tripartita ‘Mini’, and planted them all over the aquarium while mixing with some red aquatic plants as accents. I didn’t clearly separate aquatic plants by species when planting. However, I tried not to make the aquatic plant arrangement become too simple by mixing several different aquatic plant species. Nematobrycon lacortei are fluttering as swimming gracefully around the jumble of stones and on the colorful carpet.