Coincidental Success: Kiran's Do!Aqua 20cm Wabi Kusa Cube

[maxwellag]

Originally Posted by Geniusdudekiran

The literal definition, yes (which doesn't actually exist, it's more of a paraphrasing). But the definition in the hobby of Wabi Kusa is a ball of emmersed grown plants. I know where you're coming from, as I thought the same thing not too long ago. Do some looking around and you'll find the same.

My point is, from a different perspective, your Wabi kusa is emersed plants in substrate too. Both IMO are "Wabi kusa" because they follow the chaos in nature theme. Wabi kusa doesn't have to be in balls, but many choose to do it that way. Wabi kusa can mean anything from mixed plants with varying heights to plants on a ball of moss or soil. There is more than one kind or theme of Wabi kusa. Yours is obviously the ball type, but the other person's that was linked is still Wabi kusa.

[shrimpnmoss]

Your Wabi ball is looking good Kiran. The Andras Turdik ones are pretty awesome too!. Me wants one too now...

[Geniusdudekiran]

Originally Posted by shrimpnmoss

Your Wabi ball is looking good Kiran. The Andras Turdik ones are pretty awesome too!. Me wants one too now...

Haha, thanks Howard! Hit me up!

[Geniusdudekiran]

It's now been one week and one day since I started this setup. In comparison to my high tech iwagumi scape, this tank is a cakewalk. I did the first water change today. It's only really necessary every 2 weeks (or, depending on tank size and evaporation, a little less than that) but I wanted to just go ahead and do one.


The whole tank. It's really showing some nice growth.


Top-down shot. Check out the growth (especially in the L. palustris 'red')!


Side view of the L. palustris 'red,' which has grown the most so far.


Front view. Can't wait to watch this one grow out.

The growth rate, under the right conditions, of Wabi Kusa is quite amazing. The L. palustris 'red' really is growing at about 1/2 cm per day. The Hemianthus micranthemoides took a hit when I left it uncovered for the day to test its resistance to low humidity but is well on its way back. The Hydrocotyle sp. is slowly but surely on its way, and the Bacopa Wabi Kusa is spreading more horizontally than vertically, but that's okay.

Questions, comments, and suggestions are always welcome!

[tropicalmackdaddy]

Do you know the exact bacopa species(s) your using?
And did you use live sphagnum moss? (lol thnk i already asked this)

[Geniusdudekiran]

Originally Posted by tropicalmackdaddy

Do you know the exact bacopa species(s) your using?
And did you use live sphagnum moss? (lol thnk i already asked this)

That would be B. caroliniana and B. monnieri. There may be a little B. salzmanni in that one but I mixed all the Bacopas together, so I'm not sure. I will get an ID from my suppliers!

[AzFishKid]

Originally Posted by Geniusdudekiran

That would be B. caroliniana and B. monnieri. There may be a little B. salzmanni in that one but I mixed all the Bacopas together, so I'm not sure. I will get an ID from my suppliers!

Looks like mainly B. caroliniana, but i think you're right about there possibly being some B. salzmannii hidden in there.

Looks great Kiran! Do you plan on putting sand at the bottom?

[mistergreen]

The top ball isn't in water and looks like it's starting to pay for it.

I would put sand at the bottom and use driftwood or a rock to plant the wabi around.

[Geniusdudekiran]

Originally Posted by AzFishKid

Looks great Kiran! Do you plan on putting sand at the bottom?

Thanks Philip! I might. If I find some that fits it. But then again, I may leave it as is. I'm kind of happy as it is and sand may add a layer of complication.

Originally Posted by mistergreen

The top ball isn't in water and looks like it's starting to pay for it.

Every three days or so I've been putting it in the water overnight to soak up water. The sphagnum moss really retains moisture well, so it's not that big a problem yet. It's just showing signs of acclimation the most out of the four balls. Give it some time

[@marko@]

the top one is h. glomeratus?
if so, dont worry about it. the h. glomeratus in my emmersed setup didnt show any growth for 2 weeks, and then very little for another week. now its growing almost as obnoxiously fast as the h. tiger and nelsonia sp i have. i think its just a slow converter.

[freph]

Why do I want a 30-C now?

[Geniusdudekiran]

Originally Posted by @marko@

the top one is h. glomeratus?
if so, dont worry about it. the h. glomeratus in my emmersed setup didnt show any growth for 2 weeks, and then very little for another week. now its growing almost as obnoxiously fast as the h. tiger and nelsonia sp i have. i think its just a slow converter.

It's HM -- very similar, if not in fact the same (wasn't there some uncertainty regarding if they're actually the same plant a year or two ago?). Yep, like I said, I'm not worried. I think it'll be okay.

Originally Posted by freph

Why do I want a 30-C now?

Because of me!

I say go for it!

[Geniusdudekiran]

I will update the tank today after school: the L. palustris 'red' is doing awesome, the Hydrocotyle is on its way to greatness, and the bacopa is wanting to spread horizontally rather than vertically. That's okay, though. HM is still adapting to low humidity.

[Dave Allen]

Wow Kiran! I love this setup! What kind of bulb is in that fixture?

I have a new office with a very empty window shelf. I'm thinking I need to try this myself.

[Geniusdudekiran]

Originally Posted by Dave Allen

Wow Kiran! I love this setup! What kind of bulb is in that fixture?

I have a new office with a very empty window shelf. I'm thinking I need to try this myself.

Thanks! It's a 40W equivalent CFL spiral.

Let me know and I can hook you up