GLA 6g Rimless 36-L - My First Iwagumi Inspired Scape Journal

[Brian_Cali77]

Update - Post-Flame Moss Haircut Part 2

Well I went to the LFS and traded some Flame Moss for some flora. They had some Rotala Macrandra but the specimens they had didn't look so good. They had some holes in the leaves and only a slight pinkish red on their tops, perhaps they were going through some deficiencies. They didn't look anything like the deep red pics I've been seeing online. Knowing that this particular LFS has some of the most beautiful plants that are well kept, coupled with the difficulty I read on R. Macrandra, I decided to skip that plant, thinking I might not do any better than the LFS.

So I decided on some Alternanthera reineckii 'rosaefolia' instead. I also picked up a stem of Blyxa Japonica.

Now for the changes... I moved all the R. Colorata to the center to create a more dense bush. I then planted the A. Reineckii on the right and the B. Japonica on the left. I removed the Anubias Petite and moved one stone. I also did some painstaking and very tedious removal of some fluval stratum my shrimp just love to move to the sandy nook area.

So seriously, I really wish I didn't name this thread "iwagumi" inspired because it has evolved to be a fusion of iwagumi, dutch, and nature scape... who knows what to call it?

Without further ado... I'll stop my yappin' and get with the pics already









And a berried TT hangin' out with a Red Rili on my majorly trimmed and retied Flame Moss.

[MABJ]

Ill call it picturesque. I'll call it accomplished.

I just think it is something beautiful to be proud of.

Kudos.

On another note. You might like a micro moss on those branches. Like mini Xmas. Pretty easy to take care of. More compact.

[shift]

Nice work! the tank is looking wicked!

[Msheresy]

This is really beautiful!


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[AUvet14]

Macrandra isn't too bad as long as you've got your CO2 up and keep up with frets. Personally, I think it's the prettiest plant out there when it's healthy and pearling. A. reineckii is a good choice as well, though the leaves will get quite a bit bigger and it gets much bushier than r. macrandra. Blyxa japonica is another on of my faves (i'm sure you can tell from my tanks, lol). That's a pretty small plant right now though. Give it a few weeks and it should start filling out nicely. I like what you're doing with this. It's unique and well done.

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[Brian_Cali77]

Thanks everyone for the comments and kind words!

@Rusty - i recall you mentioning that your R. Macrandra died. Did you get more? I wasn't sure whether or not to take a chance on the crappy looking specimen my lfs had.

[AUvet14]

Originally Posted by Brian_Cali77

Thanks everyone for the comments and kind words!

@Rusty - i recall you mentioning that your R. Macrandra died. Did you get more? I wasn't sure whether or not to take a chance on the crappy looking specimen my lfs had.

Yeah, my r. Macrandra did die back after my CO2 levels dropped over the holidays while I was gone. I got more a couple weeks ago though on a multi-plant trade with another member. Lol. As long as you meet its needs, it should do fine, but if you don't catch problems early on, it apparently melts away pretty quickly. I was able to revive one of the original stems though, so it didn't ALL die. Once I fixed the CO2 levels, it started making a comeback.

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[Green_Flash]

Those TT's are beautiful!

[ophiophagus]

nice looking scape

[Brian_Cali77]

Thanks for the comments guys!

Caught a baby TT with the macro lens attachment on the SLR...

[allknighter]

Great Tank! I wonder if you think the Finnex is enough for a high tech, 12G Mr. Aqua tank? Is there any hesitation you would have in recommending this fixture?

Your tank coloration looks great and I'm really impressed with how many species you manage to cram in there (and keep healthy)!

[Brian_Cali77]

Thanks allnighter! Yeah I think on a 12G-Long Mr. Aqua that Ray II is more than adequate. In fact, you might even have to suspend the fixture some in order to avoid algae problems.

Here's a buddy in another forum with his 12L and the Ray 2.
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums...ld-245082.html

[gnod]

i love your tank! really nice set up and gear also.

on a side note, are you the author of your photo icon? I've seen that kind of work before..would be cool if you were the original author!

[Brian_Cali77]

Thanks Gnod! I wish the art was by me... really cool art IMO. Plus I'm a sci-fi fan so it's a double plus... anyway, the artwork is called Polygon Heroes by James Reid.

[aluka]

wow thats so pretty!, good job!