Imagine yourself standing by a secluded riverbed in the mountains of Japan: crystal-clear water laps rocks, moss clings to steep stone walls, and delicate greenery snakes through every gap. This atmosphere is reflected in our "Green Rocks" aquarium, a layout inspired by the classic Iwagumi, yet retains the charm of a natural aquarium through its lush planting. A fine "lawn" spreads in the foreground, while stem plants rise bushily in the background, harmoniously staggering the tank—and cleverly concealing the technology.

An Iwagumi is typically characterized by a minimalist rock landscape, lending the tank a calm, almost meditative feel. But here, we wanted to bring more greenery into play without losing the rocky character. "Green Rocks" is intended to attract the viewer from a distance with its lush green colors and surprise the viewer upon closer inspection with its many small details. In this way, we combine the pure elegance of an Iwagumi with the naturalness of a densely planted aquarium.

Between plants and stones

You immediately see a lush, green landscape. From a distance, the pool appears almost overgrown by a sea of green vegetation, but as you approach, countless fine details reveal themselves: moss clinging to stone surfaces, tiny leaf tips fluttering in the current, and soft nuances of color in the gravel. It is precisely this interplay of wild nature and artfully placed stone arrangement that makes "Green Rocks" a distinctive eye-catcher – a world full of contrasts waiting to be discovered.

What you need for this aquarium

Nano Heater Constant

From 29,99 €

Nano Tank Plant Pro

From 199,99 €

Product Sheet

Aqua Elixir

From 8,99 € (35,96 € l)

Plant Elixir Basic

From 8,99 € (24,98 € l)

Natural Gravel Rio Xingu, 2-22 mm

From 7,99 € (15,98 € kg)

Scaper's Soil

From 25,99 € (5,62 € l)

Aquarium Care Set

79,99 €

Plant for planting

Our “Green Rocks” uses a simple but effective planting concept:

1. Foreground: Eleocharis pusilla (mini needle rush), which looks like a dense, green lawn.

2. Background: Micranthemum glomeratum, a bushy stem plant that provides lush greenery and depth.

3. On the stones: Vesicularia montagnei “Christmas Moss”, which brings the rocky landscape to life and creates a harmonious transition between stone and plant.

This combination results in a layout that combines the minimalism of the Iwagumi style with the naturalness of a lush, living aquarium.

In detail

We focus on a view through the stone landscape, surrounded by ourNatural Gravel Rio XinguThis natural gravel, mixed with smaller and larger stones, reinforces the impression of a naturally grown streambed. Here, you can see particularly well how the "Christmas moss" gently wraps around the rocks, creating deep, almost mysterious ravines. The interplay of coarse stone structures, fine gravel, and delicate moss threads forms the heart of this Iwagumi-inspired layout and invites you to linger and explore.

The care

Care for "Green Rocks" follows our proven standards, with one important addition: If you're using soil (e.g., our Scaper's Soil), we recommend performing 50% water changes at least three times during the first week. Since the high-performance substrate releases many nutrients in the first few days, an imbalance can otherwise occur.

Otherwise, the usual rules apply: Weekly water changes of approximately 50% for the first four to five weeks, after which you can reduce the amount to 20–30%. It's best to start with eight hours of light per day, with a short midday break; gradually increase it to a maximum of ten hours. Fertilizer should be applied starting in the second week, initially at half the dosage. Regular plant care and, if necessary, tying back the moss will ensure that the layout doesn't become overgrown.

For more tips and tricks for a smooth start, check out our beginner's guide on YouTube (link follows), where we show you step by step how to get the most out of your new aquarium.

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