The Mines of Khazad-dûm

IwagumiIntermediate

The Mines of Khazad-dûm

"Delve into the deep with a tank that captures the subterranean majesty of the Dwarven kingdoms. Using jagged Dragon Stone to create towering geometric pillars and a dark substrate to evoke the Mithril mines, this setup uses low-light mosses and a 'fire and shadow' color palette. The sight of red-finned barbs darting between stone columns like the embers of Durin's Bane will turn your living room into a cinematic masterpiece."

Minimum Tank Size

40g Breeder (36x18x16)

Volume

40 gal

Water Parameters

73°F-77°F

6-7.5 pH

Substrate

Fluval Stratum (Active Soil)CaribSea Instant Aquarium Peace River Sand (Dark accents)

Hardscape Components

Black Dragon StoneVertical arrangements forming three distinct 'pillars' of varying heights

Dark Lava Rock CrushedScattered around the base of the pillars for texture

Fauna Inventory

Cherry Barb

Schooling Fish

12x

Mid-water column

Panda Corydoras

Bottom Feeder

Substrate dweller

Flora Inventory

Fissidens Fontanus (Phoenix Moss)

Moss

5 portions

Attached to stone crevices

Anubias Nana Petite

Epiphyte

6 pots

Base of stone pillars

Cryptocoryne Wendtii 'Brown'

Rosette

4 pots

Midground corners

The Mines of Khazad-dûm

Iwagumi Aquascape Plan

aquascaping.ai

January 15, 2026

Tank40g Breeder (36x18x16) (40 gal)

Parameters73-77°F • pH 6-7.5

DifficultyIntermediate

Fauna

12x Cherry Barb
8x Panda Corydoras

Flora

5 portions Fissidens Fontanus (Phoenix Moss)
6 pots Anubias Nana Petite
4 pots Cryptocoryne Wendtii 'Brown'

Shopping List

Tank & Supplies

Item	Qty	Est. Cost
40 Gallon Breeder Tank- Standard 36x18x16 dimensions provide the necessary depth for stone pillar arrangements.	1	$100 - $150
High-intensity LED with Dimmer- Essential for dimming to create the moody, subterranean atmosphere of Moria.	1	$120 - $220
Large Canister Filter- Provides high flow and keeps water polished for delicate mosses.	1	$130 - $200
Inline Heater (200W)- Keep set to 75F; inline style keeps the visual landscape free of equipment.	1	$50 - $75
Fluval Stratum (8.8lb)- Active substrate for the Cryptocoryne roots.	3 bags	$90 - $110
CaribSea Peace River Sand- Used for dark accents and pathways between the stone pillars.	1 bag (20lb)	$25 - $35

Hardscape

	Item	Qty	Est. Cost
	Black Dragon Stone- Select tall, jagged pieces to act as the Mines' pillars.	35-45 lbs	$120 - $180
	Dark Lava Rock (Crushed)- Scattered around the base for textural transition.	1 bag	$15 - $25

Flora

Item	Qty	Est. Cost
Fissidens Fontanus (Phoenix Moss)- Glue or tie into the crevices of the Dragon Stone.	5 portions	$40 - $60
Anubias Nana Petite- Wedge into the lower sections of the pillars; keep rhizomes exposed.	6 pots	$50 - $70
Cryptocoryne Wendtii 'Brown'- Plant in the midground corners for a dark, earthy contrast.	4 pots	$30 - $45

Fauna

	Item	Qty	Est. Cost
	Cherry Barb- The 'Balrog' fire effect. Get high-quality males for the deepest reds.	12	$40 - $55
	Panda Corydoras- Active bottom dwellers that fit the 'Dwarf' aesthetic.	8	$45 - $65

Setup Guide

Foundations of Khazad-dûm

Day 1

Position the empty 40g Breeder on a level, weight-rated stand.
Add Fluval Stratum to the back and center to create a nutrient-rich base for the Crypts.
Arrange the Black Dragon Stone into three distinct, vertical pillar clusters of varying heights to mimic the Great Hall.
Secure the pillars using aquarium-safe cyanoacrylate glue or epoxy to ensure stability.
Scatter the crushed Dark Lava Rock around the base of the pillars and add Peace River Sand for textural accents.

Tip: Place the tallest pillar off-center for a more natural, dynamic aesthetic following the rule of thirds.

Awakening the Stone

Day 1 (Late)

Attach Fissidens Fontanus to the vertical faces and crevices of the Dragon Stone using a small amount of gel glue.
Wedge the Anubias Nana Petite rhizomes into the gaps at the base of the pillars, ensuring the rhizomes are not buried.
Plant the Cryptocoryne Wendtii 'Brown' in the midground corners of the Fluval Stratum.
Place a plastic bag or plate over the substrate and fill the tank slowly with dechlorinated water.
Install the canister filter and set the inline heater to 75F.

Tip: Mist the plants frequently with water during the setup process to prevent the delicate moss from drying out.

The Long Dark (Cycling)

Weeks 1-4

Run the filter and heater 24/7 to establish beneficial bacteria.
Set the LED lights to a 6-hour daily photoperiod to prevent early algae blooms.
Perform 50% water changes twice a week to manage initial nutrient leaching from the active soil.
Test water parameters weekly for Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate.

Tip: Don't panic if the Crypts lose their leaves; 'Crypt melt' is a common reaction to new water conditions and they will regrow.

The Fellowship Arrives

Weeks 4-6

Verify Ammonia and Nitrite are at 0ppm before adding livestock.
Drip-acclimate the 8 Panda Corydoras and release them to begin substrate maintenance.
Wait one week, then introduce the 12 Cherry Barbs to complete the 'Balrog' fire effect.
Observe fish for signs of stress and maintain the 75F temperature.

Tip: Feed the Cherry Barbs high-quality flake food to enhance their deep red coloration.

Guarding the Deep

Ongoing

Perform a 25% water change weekly using a gravel vacuum for the sand areas.
Gently blow debris off the Fissidens Moss using a turkey baster to keep it clean.
Prune any overgrown Cryptocoryne leaves to ensure light reaches the Anubias below.
Clean the canister filter media in old tank water every 2 months.

Tip: Avoid moving the Crypts once they are established, as their root systems are very sensitive to disturbance.

Maintenance Schedule

Daily

Feeding and Equipment Observation

Feed the Cherry Barbs and Panda Corydoras. Verify the inline heater is maintaining 75F and the canister filter is providing adequate flow for the Fissidens Moss.

Weekly

Water Change and Glass Cleaning

Perform a 20% to 30% water change. Use a siphon to remove debris from the Dark Lava Rock base and clean the aquarium glass to keep the 'Moria' view clear.

Moss and Plant Inspection

Gently blast the Fissidens Fontanus moss on the stone pillars with a turkey baster to remove trapped particles, ensuring no algae takes hold in the delicate fronds.

Bi-Weekly

Pruning and Maintenance

Trim any brown leaves from the Cryptocoryne Wendtii and check that the Anubias Nana Petite rhizomes remain unburied at the base of the pillars.

Monthly

Canister Filter Maintenance

Rinse the mechanical sponge and bio-media in a bucket of removed tank water to maintain the high-flow performance necessary for the canister filter system.

Dragon Stone Detailing

Use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub any stubborn algae from the crevices of the Black Dragon Stone to preserve the sharp, architectural look of the dwarven pillars.

Generated by Fish Advisor AI