The Verdant Monolith
IwagumiIntermediate
The Verdant Monolith
"Transform your vertical space into a vibrant living tower. The Verdant Monolith uses the golden ratio to draw the eye upward along the craggy textures of Dragon Stone, while a 'waterfall' of Weeping Moss creates a sense of ancient, undisturbed nature. This setup is perfect for those who want a high-impact, jewel-box aesthetic in a small footprint."
Minimum Tank Size
15g Column (13x13x25)
Volume
15 gal
Water Parameters
73°F-77°F
6.5-7.5 pH
Substrate
ADA Amazonia Ver.2 active soilADA La Plata Sand for decorative foreground border
Hardscape Components
Dragon Stone (Ohko Rock)Stacked vertically as a central spire reaching 80% of tank height
Fauna Inventory
Celestial Pearl Danio
Nano Schooling Fish
10x
Mid-water column around the rock structure
Red Cherry Shrimp
Invertebrate
15x
All over rock surfaces and moss
Flora Inventory
Weeping Moss (Vesicularia ferriei)
Moss
6 portions
Attached to upper vertical rock faces trailing downward
Monte Carlo (Micranthemum 'Monte Carlo')
Carpeting Plant
4 pots
Foreground and small rock ledges
Anubias Nana Petite
Epiphyte
5 individual rhizomes
Tucked into rock crevices at the mid-ground
The Verdant Monolith
Iwagumi Aquascape Plan
aquascaping.ai
January 15, 2026
"Transform your vertical space into a vibrant living tower. The Verdant Monolith uses the golden ratio to draw the eye upward along the craggy textures of Dragon Stone, while a 'waterfall' of Weeping Moss creates a sense of ancient, undisturbed nature. This setup is perfect for those who want a high-impact, jewel-box aesthetic in a small footprint."
Tank15g Column (13x13x25) (15 gal)
Parameters73-77°F • pH 6.5-7.5
DifficultyIntermediate
Fauna
- 10x Celestial Pearl Danio
- 15x Red Cherry Shrimp
Flora
- 6 portions Weeping Moss (Vesicularia ferriei)
- 4 pots Monte Carlo (Micranthemum 'Monte Carlo')
- 5 individual rhizomes Anubias Nana Petite
Shopping List
Tank & Supplies
| Item | Qty | Est. Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Gallon Rimless Column Tank- Dimensions: 13x13x25 inches; required for the vertical height of the spire. | 1 unit | $120.00 | |
| High-Output LED Light- Must have strong vertical penetration to reach the substrate 25 inches down. | 1 unit | $150.00 | |
| Canister Filter with Glass Lily Pipes- Ensures clean aesthetics and high-quality mechanical/biological filtration. | 1 set | $130.00 | |
| Pressurized CO2 System- Critical for maintaining the Monte Carlo carpet and dense Moss health. | 1 unit | $180.00 | |
| Submersible Heater (100W)- Maintain stable temperature for CPDs and Shrimp. | 1 unit | $30.00 | |
| ADA Amazonia Ver.2 Active Soil- Nutrient-rich base for the Monte Carlo and overall plant health. | 9L Bag | $45.00 | |
| ADA La Plata Sand- Used for the decorative foreground border as seen in the design. | 2kg Bag | $15.00 |
Hardscape
| Item | Qty | Est. Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dragon Stone (Ohko Rock)- Selection of vertical pieces needed to create a spire 20 inches high. | 18 lbs | $70.00 |
Flora
| Item | Qty | Est. Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeping Moss (Vesicularia ferriei)- To be attached to the upper rock faces for the waterfall effect. | 6 portions | $54.00 | |
| Monte Carlo- Carpeting plant for the base and small rock ledges. | 4 pots | $32.00 | |
| Anubias Nana Petite- Epiphyte to be wedged into crevices; do not bury rhizomes. | 5 rhizomes | $45.00 |
Fauna
| Item | Qty | Est. Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celestial Pearl Danio- Vibrant schooling fish that will navigate the moss-covered spire. | 10 count | $60.00 | |
| Red Cherry Shrimp- Excellent algae eaters that provide a high-contrast red against the green moss. | 15 count | $45.00 |
Setup Guide
Constructing the Spire
Day 1- Clean the 15g column tank and place it on a level, weight-rated stand.
- Thoroughly wash the Dragon Stone to remove clay and debris from its deep textures.
- Add ADA Amazonia Ver.2 soil, creating a steep slope from the back corners toward the center.
- Position the main Dragon Stone spire vertically, ensuring it reaches approximately 20 inches high (80% of tank height).
- Secure the vertical stone using aquarium-safe epoxy or smaller support stones at the base for stability.
- Add ADA La Plata Sand to the foreground to create the decorative border as seen in the design.
Tip: Because this is a tall column tank, ensuring the central spire is rock-solid is critical to prevent glass breakage or scape collapse later.
Vegetation & Equipment Setup
Day 1- Mist the stones and substrate with dechlorinated water to keep everything damp.
- Apply Weeping Moss to the upper vertical faces of the Dragon Stone using cyanoacrylate gel (aquarium glue) in small dabs.
- Wedge Anubias Nana Petite into the crags and holes of the Dragon Stone at the mid-ground level.
- Plant Monte Carlo 'plugs' into the soil at the base and on any flat ledges of the stone spire.
- Install the canister filter with glass lily pipes and the submersible heater set to 75°F.
- Set up the pressurized CO2 system to begin diffusing at a rate of 2 bubbles per second.
Tip: When gluing moss, less is more. Small dots of glue prevent the moss from browning where it touches the adhesive.
Establishing the Ecosystem
Weeks 1-4- Fill the tank slowly by pouring water over a plastic bag to avoid disturbing the La Plata sand.
- Perform 50% water changes every day for the first week to manage the high ammonia output of ADA Amazonia soil.
- Reduce water changes to twice weekly during weeks 2 and 3.
- Set the LED light timer to 6 hours per day to prevent early algae blooms while plants transition.
- Test water parameters weekly for Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate.
Tip: Keep your CO2 levels high (lime green on a drop checker) during this phase to help the Monte Carlo carpet rapidly before livestock is added.
Adding Fish & Shrimp
Week 5+- Confirm Ammonia and Nitrites are at 0ppm and Nitrates are below 20ppm.
- Drip acclimate the 15 Red Cherry Shrimp over 2 hours to ensure they adjust to the water chemistry.
- Monitor the shrimp for 48 hours to ensure they are grazing on the moss biofilm.
- Add the school of 10 Celestial Pearl Danios once the shrimp are settled.
- Adjust the light timer to 8 hours and perform a final trim of the Weeping Moss to encourage downward trailing growth.
Tip: Celestial Pearl Danios can be shy; ensure the Weeping Moss is thick enough to provide them cover if they feel stressed.
Maintenance Schedule
Daily
Feeding and System Verification
Feed the Celestial Pearl Danios and shrimp a balanced nano-pellet. Verify that the CO2 system is pulsing and the heater is maintaining a stable temperature around 75°F.
Weekly
Water Change and Sand Detailing
Perform a 30-50% water change using dechlorinated water. Use a small hose to siphon debris off the ADA La Plata Sand border to maintain the high-contrast look.
Liquid Nutrient Dosing
Add specialized liquid fertilizers to support the high-intensity growth of the Monte Carlo carpet and Weeping Moss following the water change.
Bi-Weekly
Moss and Carpet Pruning
Trim the Weeping Moss to maintain the 'waterfall' effect and prevent shading. Prune the Monte Carlo at the base of the Dragon Stone spire to keep the scale consistent.
Monthly
Lily Pipe and Glass Maintenance
Clean the glass lily pipes with a flexible brush to remove biofilm. Scrub any spot algae from the tank walls and the Dragon Stone surfaces using a soft toothbrush.
Filter and Parameter Check
Rinse canister filter sponges in removed tank water to maintain flow. Test water parameters to ensure the ADA Amazonia Ver.2 is still effectively buffering the pH for the shrimp.
Generated by Fish Advisor AI