Implementation of a large aquarium

Acrylic tank with dimensions of 300 x 100 x 100 cm in a steel frame.

3.000 liters

Iwagumi – the most important principles of arrangement. Iwagumi tanks are characterized by harmony and unity through simplicity. This is the purest and simplest approach to arranging natural-style aquariums.

The creator and developer of the iwagumi style was Takashi Amano (1954-2015) – one of the most influential people in the field of aquascaping at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries. Artist, lover of aquascaping and plant aquariums. Considered by many to be a master in his craft. He had no equal! His greatest asset? Certainly the gift of keen observation of nature and then the ability to photograph it. The iwagumi style has its origins in ancient Japanese garden art, where rocks play a central role. It is the rocks that are the essence of this style. An aquarium finished in this way should be based on three main rocks, which are:
• oyaishi,
• fukuishi,
• soeishi.

From their combination, a sanzon, or triad arrangement, is formed. Below is some information on the individual rocks.

Oyaishi
The main task of this stone is to delight the observer. This is the rock that must always be the largest in the aquarium and is its main attraction. Its height should be about ⅔ the height of the aquarium. Its arrangement is not a simple one, as it must be placed according to the principle of tri-division. Moreover, it should slope toward the far side to illustrate the phenomenon of water flow and the pressure the current exerts on the rock.

Fukuishi
A rock smaller than the oyaishi, representing about ⅓ the height of the reservoir. Fukuishi can be located on the left or right side of the main rock. It is a kind of opposite of its predecessor, its counterweight.

Soeishi
The last and smallest rock, much smaller than the fukuishi, which further emphasizes the size of the oyaishi. In a natural iwagumi aquarium there are also rocks called suteishi, which are even finer and serve rather to fill out the entire arrangement. They are not meant to stand out, and are meant to exude a sense of community. In sanzon, these finer suteishi are left out, with only the three main rocks counting.

An iwagumi style aquarium can include other perfectly suitable stones. Here’s a list of solutions you can also bet on to make your tank filling even more impressive: dragon stone, frodo stone, scenery stone, lava, seiryu.
When designing an aquarium fill, consider the texture of the stones, their positioning, the size of the rocks, as well as their color. Everything matters, even the tiniest piece. Paying attention to this is necessary because stones are one of the most effective ways to represent the flow of water in a system and to mirror that found in nature. This is not a simple task. To find out, it is also worth looking at the works of artists.

Iwagumi – what else should you know about this style?
It is worth paying attention to the principle of golden division when filling the aquarium and creating arrangements in the iwagumi style. Underwater landscapes must shift their center of gravity to one side, most often it is the right side. The golden division principle states that the central oyaishi rock, the one that attracts the eye, should be placed at a distance to the sides of the tank in a ratio of 1 : 1.6. A possible solution is to place the main stone in the center of the tank.

The substrate used in the aquarium is also important, when you decide on the iwagumi style. Already at the stage of its arrangement, the final slope and the transfer of the center of gravity through the rocks should be taken into account. In this way, the perspective will be better, as well as the perception of the composition by viewers. This is because it will relate more to the traditions and principles created by designer Takashi Amano. Depth is also very important here, which you will get by applying a very simple rule – the front part of the tank should be lower and increase naturally towards the back. However, nothing prevents you from choosing a simple substrate, it will work well with the classic triad. As you can see, iwagumi natural aquarium is a lot of options to choose from.

What does it look like for plants? There are several species, but they play a secondary role. The most important thing is the rock formation, and it is on this that you need to focus. For an aquarium in this style, the most common species are those that form a lawn. Below is a list of plants you can bet on so that your choice is in line with the art of iwagumi: Glossostigma elatinoides, Eleocharis acicularis, Eleocharis parvula,  Micranthemum Monte Carlo, Echinodorus tenellus,
Hemianthus callitrichoides Cuba.

It is also possible to use plants as a third plan, but this is not necessary and few people choose this solution. The peculiar, delicate background that can be created in this way does not look impressive in combination with the rock formation. Nevertheless, such a possibility exists and it is worth knowing about it.

Fish should also be mentioned. The best choice would be a school of fish circling around the aquarium. It would emphasize the consistency and unity of the iwagumi style. Therefore, this type of tank relies on a few basic fish species such as: blue bullheads and amandas, red neon, red-eared coelenterfish, wedge-tailed rabbora.
If you opt for small fish species, you can get a really interesting arrangement for two reasons. Smaller fish are more dynamic, and they enhance the size of the rock formation, which is supposed to be most impressive. Remember to bet on fish swimming in groups rather than individually. It is best to opt for a single species. However, if your aquarium is very tall, choose several species swimming at different heights. Underwater landscapes filled with gentle and calm fish, yet able to accelerate dynamically are the best choice for an iwagumi-style aquarium. Sometimes shrimp are also allowed into the tank.

When deciding on the iwagumi style of aquarium, you need to keep in mind some very important points. Many of them have already been mentioned, but we want to add some more information. This arrangement is not simple, it requires knowledge and skill in maintenance. However, it can be done by a person who is not well versed in setting up an aquarium, but wants to learn more and improve his skills. What else should you know about the iwagumi natural aquarium when setting it up?

Remember that the concept with stones is to create harmony. Keep proportions when you set up the oyaishi, fukuishi and soeishi.
Pay attention to the setting, which will indicate the dynamic flow of water.
Harmony and unity through simplicity are words that indicate the approach you should take when arranging natural aquariums.
Vary stone size, texture and different shapes. Choose expressive, diverse solutions and always rely on an odd number of rocks in the aquarium.
Iwagumi prohibits the use of roots and wood – these are only found in other styles.
Tanshoku tanei – a purist offshoot of the iwagumi style, which uses only the number one. You use one stone, one species of fish and one species of plants. A very interesting design that makes the landscape very expressive.
Underwater landscapes in the iwagumi style can use several species of fish, plants and rocks. Nothing prevents you from creating an aquarium that is less minimalist and more colorful and varied.
Symmetry in nature happens very rarely, you could say practically at all. Therefore, you must not opt for symmetry in your aquarium when you choose the iwagumi style.
The information given above should help you create your first iwagumi style natural aquarium. Don’t be discouraged after your first failed attempt. The style is, despite appearances, difficult to achieve. However, it can be achieved, it is important that you practice and always follow the principles outlined by master Takashi Amano. Eventually, you will succeed in creating an underwater landscape that meets your expectations and pleases the eye of all who look at your natural aquarium. Iwagumi is undoubtedly a striking way to arrange a concrete tank.