new to the hobby [tips please!]

[phanizzle]

Hi, this is my first picture post of my tank and my first attempt for an iwagumi layout. i just did the layout yesterday, i have a 2x18 coralife and was wondering if i can grow a carpet in my tank (20gal long) what do you recommend would be a nice carpet? Please give me tips and all comments are welcomed!

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[Renegade545]

I am no expert but IMO you should try and avoid making it so symmetrical. Also create a feeling of depth by moving the rocks off the same plane. I.E. Moving a rock closer to the front or back.

The "square" rocks don't look very natural and IMO should be switched out for darker rocks with more texture to them, the current ones may work if you lay them flater and not sticking straight up. Try creating some elevation with more substrate to simulate hills and to raise the rocks to different heights. Try and remember that Iwagumi style tanks are rock gardens and from my point of view often simulate mountains, and valleys.

If i might suggest picking up a copy of the December issue of Tropical Fish Hobbyist, Takashi Amano has a great article on making an iwagumi style aquascape.

[resowner92]

i agree with the above

[phanizzle]

update: changed it up but not much. i kind of like the scape of it, might not be traditional iwagumi but i think i will keep this layout for now and might change it up later on when i decide what to do with it. thanks renegade545 for the tips.
can someone help me out to pick a carpet plant that will work for my tank with my kind of low light?

[@marko@]

make a moss carpet. amano (christmas) moss or weeping moss is probably the best, but if you want talller cover put flame moss.

[eyebeatbadgers]

You also may be able to grow marselia minuta as a carpet plant. I'll have some for sale in 2 weeks if you're still looking then.

[phanizzle]

Originally Posted by @marko@

make a moss carpet. amano (christmas) moss or weeping moss is probably the best, but if you want talller cover put flame moss.

how would i make a moss carpet? using mesh? how will that spread throughout my tank? or would i need to make the carpet my self?

[lauraleellbp]

Echinodorus tenellus (pygmy chain sword) will make a decent carpet in low light given time. I have it in my 10gal and really quite like it- very much like natural grass.

AquaBotanic is also saying that lilaeopis mauritis will make a good carpet in low light, though it also seems to grow slowly and so far I haven't heard any confirmations...

[phanizzle]

Originally Posted by lauraleellbp

Echinodorus tenellus (pygmy chain sword) will make a decent carpet in low light given time. I have it in my 10gal and really quite like it- very much like natural grass.

AquaBotanic is also saying that lilaeopis mauritis will make a good carpet in low light, though it also seems to grow slowly and so far I haven't heard any confirmations...

i searched up Echinodorus tenellus and on http://www.aquahobby.com/garden/e_tenellus.php they said i need high lighting? my 2x18 t5 will be enough?

[lauraleellbp]

E. tenellus will definitely grow in low light- I've kept it for years. It just takes longer to fill in than in high.

[phanizzle]

are they easy to find in lfs? i dont think i've seen any pygmy swords in any stores.

[lauraleellbp]

I don't know about in stores- most stores in my area carry a pretty horrible selection of plants and I don't even bother with them- go to the swap n shop online here and order some; it's a very common plant and always very easy to come by pretty cheaply!

Or you could order from some of the online plant stores- they should always carry some. AquaBotanic is one of the big ones that advertises on this forum, and they carry it pretty cheap.

[phanizzle]

thanks lauraleellbps. i just ordered some from AB. how many wpg is on your tank with the pygmy swords?

[lauraleellbp]

1.7wpg with just a standard fluorescent bulb - 17watts over a 10gal tank and it spread pretty well!