I've been quietly working away at my first Iwagumi but scared of sharing pics because I'm still a total newbie and can just about keep the hardy plants alive!
So far my journals tend to not really be journals, more like a couple of posts of scapes with planting! I am however learning fast and understanding a lot more than I was a few months ago so I'm taking the plunge with a month or so grace to check I'm not failing miserably (all the pics are at least a month ago).
I started on March 10th and initially tried UG for a small carpet in the centre (around the Edges good light area) but after initially thinking it was doing well (it seemed to spread and grow) it started melting. This was my third attempt at this plant so I just pulled it out and will try another day.
Specs wise:
Fluval Edge
Fluval Edge Filter
Newattino Plus Heater
ADA Amazonia 2 (only in the central area) capped Argos play sand
Dragon stone
CO2 injection 24 hrs 1 bps (Im currently using my TMC expert set as my the planned FE set up got refused planning permission and is currently on my other tank)
TPN + 1ml every other day.
Flora:
Mainly... Eleocharis Acicularis
3 or 4 stems of Blyxa Japonica
4 pads of Round Pellia (I think)
Obviously due to the constraints of the Edge I have always planned to concentrate the planting in the centre with a lot of space at the front and sides. My main inspiration came from George's Project Scree and I was going to keep it to mainly hair grass but I'm also in the middle of trying some HC I've grown emersed on small lava rocks & a couple of pads of fissidens - Im not sure what I'll keep but at this stage I'm happy to keep trying things until the grass grows in.
So here we are - I've recently chopped the grass hard so it will spread and I have a lot of runners so once this has recovered + I get my new grass (I'm going to cheat and plant more) I'll post up to date pics.
10th March - Hardscape in
Pellila in
Planted & filled
24th March - signs of growth
My favourite angle with the Edge
This is my first time using sand & I have trouble when the filter is on full as it tends to blow it around a bit - in particular creating a hole at the front - but I've fiddled to control this a bit. I know its going to be hard work to maintain but currently I'm up for the challenge.
Im wondering if I should add a black back ground or something or leave it?
Anyway thoughts, comments and advice more than welcome!
So far my journals tend to not really be journals, more like a couple of posts of scapes with planting! I am however learning fast and understanding a lot more than I was a few months ago so I'm taking the plunge with a month or so grace to check I'm not failing miserably (all the pics are at least a month ago).
I started on March 10th and initially tried UG for a small carpet in the centre (around the Edges good light area) but after initially thinking it was doing well (it seemed to spread and grow) it started melting. This was my third attempt at this plant so I just pulled it out and will try another day.
Specs wise:
Fluval Edge
Fluval Edge Filter
Newattino Plus Heater
ADA Amazonia 2 (only in the central area) capped Argos play sand
Dragon stone
CO2 injection 24 hrs 1 bps (Im currently using my TMC expert set as my the planned FE set up got refused planning permission and is currently on my other tank)
TPN + 1ml every other day.
Flora:
Mainly... Eleocharis Acicularis
3 or 4 stems of Blyxa Japonica
4 pads of Round Pellia (I think)
Obviously due to the constraints of the Edge I have always planned to concentrate the planting in the centre with a lot of space at the front and sides. My main inspiration came from George's Project Scree and I was going to keep it to mainly hair grass but I'm also in the middle of trying some HC I've grown emersed on small lava rocks & a couple of pads of fissidens - Im not sure what I'll keep but at this stage I'm happy to keep trying things until the grass grows in.
So here we are - I've recently chopped the grass hard so it will spread and I have a lot of runners so once this has recovered + I get my new grass (I'm going to cheat and plant more) I'll post up to date pics.
10th March - Hardscape in
Pellila in
Planted & filled
24th March - signs of growth
My favourite angle with the Edge
This is my first time using sand & I have trouble when the filter is on full as it tends to blow it around a bit - in particular creating a hole at the front - but I've fiddled to control this a bit. I know its going to be hard work to maintain but currently I'm up for the challenge.
Im wondering if I should add a black back ground or something or leave it?
Anyway thoughts, comments and advice more than welcome!