Iwagumi tank – 96 days after setup

Published by Nicky Ang under Aquascape on June 15, 2008

Here’s the latest update on my Iwagumi setup. I’ve added three new Kurokinryu rocks to the formation.

Glossostigma is growing very well. However, I’ve encountered stunted growth as the Glossostigma nears the fringes (glass pane). Not sure why is this, but I’ve replanted the fringes with new glosso.

You might have noticed a stem plant on the left in the background. That’s Bacopa monnieri that somehow came with the Glossostigma and started growing after about 80 days.I will keep it there a few months to see how it grows.

 

Behaviour of Glossostigma from 96 days of observation

• Glossos are heavy consumers of CO2 and Potassium. The more these are added, the faster they grow.
• Glossos thickens at the center of the tank due to highest light intensity in that area.
• Glossos infested with algae will stop growing and will die off slowly. To counter this, plant new glossos before the old leaves die off.
• To keep glossos from growing vertically, high lighting intensity is required. I used 1.8 watts/liter (7.2 watts/gallon).
• Glossos for Iwagumi aquascapes are definitely not for beginner tanks. Because their initial biomass is very low, algae will easily infest the leaves.

 

Pictures:

Frontview layout	Sideview and closeup on main rock form a 45-deg angle
Sideview on main rock form a 45-deg angle. Notice some substrate showing at the fringe. That’s because the glosso stopped growing there.	Bacopa monnieri closeup

Read the rest of this entry »