In mid August 2012 I decided to try another Iwagumi style tank. I had the tank, 65w PC light, and HC already so I just needed to find a cheap substrate. After scouring the forums, I decided my best option was a product used for absorbing spilled oil called Saf-T-Sorb. I got a huge bag for $5 at my local Tractor Supply and couldn't be happier with it so far. The rocks are some of the only non-limestone rocks I could find around here and after a bit of trial and error this is the scape I came up with. I also planted a couple small Pogostemon helferi (Downoi) around the rocks and plan to plant more trimmings off them once they grow big enough to trim. Once everything is grown in and the tank is filled with water, I plan to plant clumps of Blyxa japonica behind each rock cluster.

September 4, 2012

Less than a month in and the HC is spreading out nicely. I am adding CO2 with a DiY yeast reactor and misting with diluted fertilizer. I sprinkled Osmocote pellets in before I added the substrate to give the plants root feeding from the start.