Scape Critique #2

[Katmanreef]

Hello again! This will be my 2nd tank I want some Critique and feedback on.

Tank specs:
-Aquatop 1.5 gallon rimless tank
-Ledstar Aq Nano app controllable led light
-Aquatek Co2 regulator on a paintball tank
-In tank Aquaria Neo diffuser
-Uniclife Airpump running bubbles to tank for water movement, no airstone or sponge filter

Hardscape:
-UNS Controsoil, fine black
-Mix of Frodo Stone and Gotland Stone

Flora:
-Eriocaulon sp. "Feather Duster"
-Eriocaulon sp. "Japan Shiga"
-Ammania sp. "Bonsai"
-Riccardia Chamedryfolia (Coral Moss, Mini Pellia)
-Callicostella sp. "Pancuraji"
-Pogostemon Helferi "Red"
-Phyllanthus Fluitans (Red Root Floater)

Fauna:
-Caridina sp "BOA" / BOA genetics (4 individuals)
-Neocaridina sp "Some blueish clear ones my gf wanted" x2

I had a bunch of real deal Frodo stone/Gotland stone that never got used in my other scapes, and wanted to practice an 'Iwagumi' style layout without adhering strictly to the rules. This tank sits on my computer desk, so I wanted a low maintenance tank, trimming wise, so I carefully selected plants that will grow slow enough. For a tank this small, my biggest challenge was growing a foreground that scaled nicely, and that's where coral moss came into play. No filter in this tank at all, but I do change about 70% of the water every week, ensuring matching temp and parameters so the shrimp don't freak out. At long last, here is the picture:



And a bonus picture of the stones, Gotland on the top and Frodo on the bottom. (With random dragon stone on the left)



Critiques and suggestions wanted!

(Edit: Forgot to add a plant to the list)

 

[*Ci*]

I am just starting to get interested in Iwagumi, and so I have no experience behind my opinion.
The tank is very attractive and I especially like the Eriocaulons, but I keep thinking that the large rock should be pointing away from the taller plants, rather than towards, if you see what I mean, giving the sense of movement from left to right.
Could be, however, that the rock is not as attractive on the other side, if you turned it around. Interested to see what others think …

 

[Bolbi]

Agree with *Ci*. 'Feather Duster' might be too big for that tank. I think it would be better to put a bigger main rock on the place of that plant, and your current main rock to become "Fukuishi".

 

[JPog]

That looks nice, at first I didn't realize it was only a 1.5G, so you did a nice job with the scale. I have one of those too. Haven't seen too many Mini Pellia carpets. Are those all attached to flat rocks?

 

[Katmanreef]

I am just starting to get interested in Iwagumi, and so I have no experience behind my opinion.
The tank is very attractive and I especially like the Eriocaulons, but I keep thinking that the large rock should be pointing away from the taller plants, rather than towards, if you see what I mean, giving the sense of movement from left to right.
Could be, however, that the rock is not as attractive on the other side, if you turned it around. Interested to see what others think …

I agree that the rock is awkwardly placed, unfortunately that's the only big-ish rock that fits the 1.5 gallon comfortably without taking up too much space. The backside of it has no character so I kind of shot myself in the foot using such a small tank for an iwagumi :/

 

[Katmanreef]

Agree with *Ci*. 'Feather Duster' might be too big for that tank. I think it would be better to put a bigger main rock on the place of that plant, and your current main rock to become "Fukuishi".

You're definitely right about the feather duster becoming too big for the tank. It's manageable now but eventually will outgrow the tank and take up too much space.

Do you think I can break bigger rocks safely with a chisel and hammer. Pieces I have are a bit too big for the tank.

Maybe increase the amount of Ammania sp 'Bonsai' to take up the space of the feather duster? Thoughts?

 

[Katmanreef]

That looks nice, at first I didn't realize it was only a 1.5G, so you did a nice job with the scale. I have one of those too. Haven't seen too many Mini Pellia carpets. Are those all attached to flat rocks?

Thank you! The mini Pellia is all attached to small pieces of Lava Rock.

I chopped up a bunch of mini Pellia, and layed them on a styrofoam plate. I put some Gorilla Super Glue Gel on the rocks and dabbed them onto the pellia pieces until I had enough to sparsely fill the tank, and let the new growth form the carpet over time

 

[JPog]

Thank you! The mini Pellia is all attached to small pieces of Lava Rock.

I chopped up a bunch of mini Pellia, and layed them on a styrofoam plate. I put some Gorilla Super Glue Gel on the rocks and dabbed them onto the pellia pieces until I had enough to sparsely fill the tank, and let the new growth form the carpet over time

Hairnets work great too. I buy dark ones and you can simply place it over the stone with the Pellia and you tie it under the rock. The Hairnet is practically invisible once stretched over the rock. That's what I used in my 12G.

 

[Bolbi]

You're definitely right about the feather duster becoming too big for the tank. It's manageable now but eventually will outgrow the tank and take up too much space.

Do you think I can break bigger rocks safely with a chisel and hammer. Pieces I have are a bit too big for the tank.

Maybe increase the amount of Ammania sp 'Bonsai' to take up the space of the feather duster? Thoughts?

You can try to break the stones, just take care about the texture. Broken stones can have sharp edges. It will be best if you broke it at one side and then put that side on the ground.
Stem plants can still be used but i am missing one more rock there. Iwagumi usually has at least 3 stones - Sanzon (means “three pillar”) .

 

[Katmanreef]

You can try to break the stones, just take care about the texture. Broken stones can have sharp edges. It will be best if you broke it at one side and then put that side on the ground.
Stem plants can still be used but i am missing one more rock there. Iwagumi usually has at least 3 stones - Sanzon (means “three pillar”) .

OK, I'm going to try it on my day off. Maybe the 3rd stone I used wasn't big enough to stand out. It's the small one next to the 'Oyaishi' on the bottom right

 

[Art]

Sorry about being late with my reply here. Been very busy with things at home.

I have a few comments that I submit to you hoping they have some value for you.

1. Congratulations. It looks much bigger than a 1.5 gallon. You've done very well with the scale, IMO.
2. I don't mind the positioning of the main stone. It's the focal point and it has character. Love it. From this angle it seems to occupy from 1/3 to 2/3 of the vertical space that is good. It also seems to be sitting on the third line.
3. I think the left side is well-balanced to compensate for the weight of the main stone. I don't mind two opposing features pointing to each other. I can work and sometimes forms an arch that is pleasing. The problem, I think, is the Feather Duster. The scale is wrong for what you're trying to do. I would suggest going with either Eleocharis species or one of the slower growing crypts. I think the fact that the feather duster grows from a crown is also causing a problem for me. I think Eleocharis would work better.
4. The floater needs to either become a secondary focal point or removed as it is distracting.
5. I don't believe the Pogostemon is adding anything in the back. I would group them and move to the back right behind the main stone.
6. Weather the stones with moss more.
7. Iwagumi looks best when done with odd numbers, so 3 stones in this case, in triangular positions. Each stone balances and supports the others. I would recommend you move them to locations more in keeping with the iwagumi philosophy.

Well, more than a few comments, it seems. Overall, great work!

 

[Katmanreef]

Congratulations. It looks much bigger than a 1.5 gallon. You've done very well with the scale, IMO.

Thank you!

The problem, I think, is the Feather Duster. The scale is wrong for what you're trying to do. I would suggest going with either Eleocharis species or one of the slower growing crypts. I think the fact that the feather duster grows from a crown is also causing a problem for me. I think Eleocharis would work better.

I absolutely agree, it's been a pain to maintain in this small tank as well because of its unruly nature. I have since removed the plant.

The floater needs to either become a secondary focal point or removed as it is distracting.

I've been removing it ever since, for photos and place it back in for extra healthy plantmass between photo-ops now

I don't believe the Pogostemon is adding anything in the back. I would group them and move to the back right behind the main stone.

I've moved them behind the main stone now and only viewable from the side next to my bed.

1. Weather the stones with moss more.
2. Iwagumi looks best when done with odd numbers, so 3 stones in this case, in triangular positions. Each stone balances and supports the others. I would recommend you move them to locations more in keeping with the iwagumi philosophy.

Slowly waiting for the mosses to grow to propagate them, and eventually spread more on to the stone. I've since removed the bottom left mass of moss and placed a stone there to balance out the others.

Thank you again for the in depth analysis!

 

[Katmanreef]

Thank you to those that helped me out by critiquing my iwagumi inspired aquascape! I've since taken every suggestion into consideration and rescaped a few things. I've removed the Eriocaulon sp. 'Feather duster' and replaced it with another stone. I've trimmed the Ammania sp. 'bonsai' and replanted the tops behind the new stone. I'm still waiting for the moss and ammannia to fill in.

My goal is to have a tank that can be viewed and enjoyed from 2 sides. The main view from my computer chair and a 'hidden garden' view from my bed side. Here are the new pictures:

Front view:


Side 'hidden garden' view