Waterfront World Produced Using Wabi-Kusa Hanger and Fishes Swimming In the Shade of Aquatic Plants

[Shaded Waterfront]
This layout was produced to enjoy both an above water and an underwater world. Although the tank is small, the above water section produced an open feeling and made the tank appear one size larger. The Wabi-Kusa Hanger used in the above water section not only makes planting easier but also broadens the range of expression for the layout. Since Wabi-Kusa has a well-established root system, it takes up nutrients actively in the initial tank setup period and helps to establish an aquarium quickly so that even beginners can be successful in starting a planted tank. This layout depicts a waterfront microcosm using Wabi-Kusa with such beneficial attributes. Fishes swimming in the shade of various aquatic plants appear very calm and comfortable.

Great for summer A waterfront layout produced using Wabi-Kusa Hangers

Wabi-Kusa is grown emersed and shipped to retailers in peak condition. Hence, it develops submersed leaves readily in water, but it can also be enjoyed as emersed grown plants. Wabi-Kusa can be grown simply by placing it in Neo Glass Air, or it can be used to create an above water section using a Wabi-Kusa Hanger. As more emersed grown leaves develop from Wabi-Kusa, the leaves will obscure the Wabi-Kusa Hanger. Since the roots of Wabi-Kusa absorb nutrients from the water, this can help improve the water quality during the initial tank setup period. This layout style is a great one for the coming season since aquatic plants grow easily in an above water section as warmer weather approaches.

The key point of the composition
A driftwood branch and three Manten Stones are used as composition materials. Placing the driftwood and stones diagonally from the right rear to the left front rather than placing them straight across the tank makes the aquarium appear more dynamic.

Wabi-Kusa were floated near the water surface using Wabi-Kusa Hangers. The space below is filled naturally with growing roots and stems of the aquatic plants in the Wabi-Kusa.

① The use of a Wabi-Kusa Hanger
It makes it easy to visualize the finished condition when planting aquatic plants in the substrate if Wabi-Kusa Hangers are placed in the aquarium. Wabi-Kusa Hanger comes in three sizes: S, M, and L. If two hangers need to be hung at different heights as in this layout, their height can be adjusted by bending the hangers by hand.

②  The maintenance of the above water section
Since the emersed grown leaves of stemmed plants grow fast, it is important to thin them periodically so that they won’t block the light for the undergrowth plants such as Glossostigma. The light fixture was shifted more toward the front than usual to provide adequate light to the undergrowth plants.

③ Ferns that tie Wabi-Kusa and driftwood together
Microsorum sp. ‘Trident’ was attached to two places on the driftwood to hide the bases of Wabi-Kusa. Doing so tied the Wabi-Kusa that comprises the above water section to the underwater composition framework and created a natural waterfront ambiance.

④ Planting in the middle ground and the foreground
Sciophytic Lagenandra meeboldii ‘Green’ and ‘Red’ were planted in the area shaded by the Wabi-Kusa above water and the driftwood. Hair Grass was planted at the boundary of Glossostigma and Lagenandra to create a natural appearance.

Other aquatic plants in the layout
These plants were removed from the Wabi-Kusa Mat and used in the layout.