The Glacial Iwagumi

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IwagumiIntermediate

The Glacial Iwagumi

"Imagine the silent, breathtaking beauty of the Alps captured in your living room. This design uses high-contrast textures and cool-toned materials to create a sense of vast, frozen space. It is not just an aquarium; it is a slice of the Arctic circle, offering a serene and calming 'chilled' vibe that stands out from typical tropical tanks."

Minimum Tank Size

20g High (24x12x16)

Volume

20 gal

Water Parameters

65°F-72°F

7-7.5 pH

Substrate

ADA La Plata Sand (White Sand)ADA Power Sand Advance (Base Layer)

Hardscape Components

Seiryu StoneMain focal point (Oyaishi) slightly off-center with smaller stones radiating outward

Fauna Inventory

White Cloud Mountain Minnow

Schooling Fish

12x

Middle to Upper water column

Hillstream Loach (Sewellia lineolata)

Algae Eater

On rocks and glass surfaces

Blue Dream Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)

Invertebrate Scavenger

15x

Substrate and plant carpet

Flora Inventory

Eleocharis acicularis 'Mini'

Carpeting Grass

5 pots

Foreground around stone bases

Taxiphyllum 'Spiky Moss'

Moss

2 portions

Tucked into stone crevices

The Glacial Iwagumi

Iwagumi Aquascape Plan

aquascaping.ai

January 15, 2026

Tank20g High (24x12x16) (20 gal)

Parameters65-72°F • pH 7-7.5

DifficultyIntermediate

Fauna

12x White Cloud Mountain Minnow
3x Hillstream Loach (Sewellia lineolata)
15x Blue Dream Shrimp (Neocaridina davidi)

Flora

5 pots Eleocharis acicularis 'Mini'
2 portions Taxiphyllum 'Spiky Moss'

Shopping List

Tank & Supplies

Item	Qty	Est. Cost
20 Gallon High Rimless Aquarium (24x12x16)- Standard high-clarity glass recommended for the glacial aesthetic.	1	$120.00
Twinstar 600EA LED Light- Adjustable brightness to prevent algae on Seiryu stone.	1	$180.00
Eheim Classic 250 Canister Filter- Provides the high flow and oxygenation needed for Hillstream Loaches.	1	$95.00
Pressurized CO2 Injection System- Mandatory for maintaining the dense Eleocharis 'Mini' carpet.	1	$150.00
Aquarium Cooling Fan- Helps maintain sub-72F temperatures during summer months.	1	$25.00
ADA La Plata Sand (White Sand)- The primary cosmetic sand for the 'snow' look.	4kg	$35.00
ADA Power Sand Advance (Small)- Base layer nutrient substrate for plant roots.	2L	$38.00

Hardscape

	Item	Qty	Est. Cost
	Seiryu Stone- Look for one large 'Oyaishi' focal piece and several smaller support stones.	25 lbs	$100.00

Flora

	Item	Qty	Est. Cost
	Eleocharis acicularis 'Mini'- Divide into small plugs for even carpeting.	5 pots	$50.00
	Taxiphyllum 'Spiky Moss'- Use cyanoacrylate gel to attach to stone crevices.	2 portions	$18.00

Fauna

Item	Qty	Est. Cost
White Cloud Mountain Minnow- Standard silver variety mimics winter wind movement.	12	$36.00
Hillstream Loach (Sewellia lineolata)- Requires high oxygen saturation; adds fossil-like texture.	3	$45.00
Blue Dream Shrimp (Neocaridina)- Dark blue coloration provides high contrast against white sand.	15	$60.00

Setup Guide

Establishing the Glacial Base

Day 1

Position the ADA Power Sand Advance at the rear where you intend to have the densest plant growth.
Slope the ADA La Plata Sand from the back (3-4 inches) to the front (1 inch) to create depth perception.
Place the Oyaishi (main Seiryu Stone) at the primary focal point, ensuring it is angled to mimic a mountain peak.
Arrange smaller Seiryu stones in a 'radiating' pattern around the main stone, leaving the center 'valley' of white sand open.

Tip: Wash the Seiryu stone thoroughly before placement. Since it affects water hardness, these stones will actually help stabilize the pH for your shrimp and loaches.

Adding the Frozen Tundra

Day 1 (Late)

Mist the substrate and stones with a spray bottle to keep the environment humid.
Divide the 5 pots of Eleocharis acicularis 'Mini' into small plugs (pencil-eraser size) and plant them 1 inch apart around the stone bases.
Apply a tiny amount of aquarium-safe cyanoacrylate gel to the Spiky Moss and press it into the natural crevices of the stones.
Fill the tank slowly by pouring water over a plastic sheet or bowl to prevent the white sand from being disturbed.
Prime and start the Eheim Classic 250 and set the CO2 system to 1 bubble per second.

Tip: Planting 'Mini' hairgrass in tiny, frequent plugs will result in a much faster and more even carpet than planting in large chunks.

The Maturation Phase

Weeks 1-4

Perform 50% water changes every 2 days during the first week to prevent initial algae blooms.
Set the Twinstar 600EA LED timer to 6 hours per day to prevent algae while the hairgrass establishes roots.
Check that the water temperature remains between 64°F and 72°F; do not use a heater unless the room stays below 55°F.
Test for Ammonia and Nitrite weekly until both reach 0 ppm.

Tip: Keep the CO2 running only while the lights are on. This will help the hairgrass 'pearl' and look like it's covered in tiny frost bubbles.

Bringing the Scape to Life

Month 1.5

Introduce the 15 Blue Dream Shrimp first to graze on any initial biofilm on the Seiryu stones.
Wait 3-4 days, then introduce the 12 White Cloud Mountain Minnows, allowing them to school in the open 'sky' area.
Introduce the 3 Hillstream Loaches last, ensuring there is enough biofilm or supplemental algae wafers for them to eat.
Perform a 30% weekly water change and trim the hairgrass every few weeks to maintain the 'short grass' look.

Tip: Drip acclimate the shrimp for at least 2 hours. They are sensitive to the mineral changes caused by the Seiryu stone, even though they enjoy the resulting hardness.

Maintenance Schedule

Daily

Morning Feeding and Health Check

Feed the White Cloud Mountain Minnows and Blue Dream Shrimp. Observe the Hillstream Loaches to ensure they are active and feeding on rock surfaces. Confirm the water temperature remains between 64°F and 68°F for a true glacial environment.

CO2 and Light Verification

Ensure the CO2 solenoid is cycling with the Twinstar LED light. Check the drop checker to maintain a lime-green color, ensuring the Eleocharis acicularis 'Mini' receives enough carbon to stay dense.

Weekly

Water Change and Sand Siphoning

Perform a 30% water change. Carefully siphon the surface of the ADA La Plata Sand to remove organic waste and keep the 'snow' looking bright white. Add dechlorinator and ensure the new water is within 2°F of the tank temperature.

Algae Scrubbing and Glass Cleaning

Use a soft toothbrush to scrub any green spot algae off the Seiryu stones. Clean the interior glass surfaces. This prevents the mineral-rich Seiryu stone from fueling unwanted algae growth.

Bi-Weekly

Plant Trimming and Grooming

Trim the Eleocharis acicularis 'Mini' to maintain a short carpet. Prune the Spiky Moss tucked in the stone crevices to prevent it from overgrowing and hiding the jagged blue-grey texture of the rocks.

Monthly

Filter and Impeller Maintenance

Rinse the Eheim Classic 250 filter media in a bucket of tank water. Clean the impeller to ensure maximum flow and oxygenation, which is critical for the health of the Hillstream Loaches.

CO2 System and Diffuser Service

Clean the CO2 diffuser in a bleach solution (then rinse thoroughly with dechlorinator) to ensure fine misting. Check the CO2 cylinder pressure and refill if necessary to avoid growth plateaus in the carpet plants.

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