The style itself refers to a planted aquarium where wood, rocks and other natural materials are used along with plants to create an environment that mimics a setting in nature. The term “nature aquarium” is used liberally in the community and even predates the term “aquascaping” as a household word. If you’ve heard of any aquascaping style at all, it may be a “nature aquarium” that first comes to mind. Rasboras such as harlequin or chili rasboras and many killifish species like lampeye killifish will shoal nicely in large enough numbers, adding to the visual interest of the aquarium. Consider fish that aren’t too shy and don’t mind lots of open water. Shrimp and small schooling fish are a great addition to an Iwagumi style aquarium. Add dwarf sagittaria, Cryptocoryne lucens, or even vallisneria in the back if you’re looking to add some height to the tank. Consider using plants such as dwarf hairgrass, Micranthemum ‘Monte Carlo’, dwarf baby tears, pearl weed, dwarf chain sword, micro sword, Cryptocoryne parva, Staurogyne repens, and Hydrocotyle tripartita ‘Japan’ in the front and middle of the aquarium. However, taller species may be used towards the back of the aquarium to add interest. Typically, Iwagumi layouts are planted with short, carpeting plant species. By sloping the substrate, it adds height and visual depth, making the stones appear more dramatic as they would in nature. ![]() A trick many aquascapers use to achieve a dramatic-looking Iwagumi layout is by using a deep substrate bed. Arrange medium to smaller stones around the tank in whatever way looks most pleasing to you. Imagine the tank is divided into three parts - place the largest stone towards the left or right “third” and leave the rest more open. ![]() Consider following the rule of thirds and using a few different sizes of stones to create an Iwagumi aquascape. However, it is acceptable to use as many stones as you like to achieve the desired look. Traditionally, only three stones are used in an Iwagumi style aquarium. The focus should be a group of well-placed stones of varying sizes. The main focal point of an Iwagumi style aquarium is not the aquarium plants. Driftwood and other decor are not used in this type of aquarium, which makes it unique and eye-catching. "Iwagumi" is a Japanese word that translates as "rock formation," and it refers to a planted aquarium which contains only stones or rocks as hardscape. The first style that we will cover is the Iwagumi style of aquascaping. Let’s take a look at three different types of easy-to-build aquascapes to help inspire your next planted tank. Each style has a uniqueness that might add that extra pop to your aquarium you’ve been looking for. ![]() Did you know that a planted aquarium can be more than just adding aquatic plants into a fish tank? There are even a handful of different layout styles and techniques that can make one planted aquarium really stand out from another.
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