How to Create a Minimalist Rock Aquascape | Full Tutorial

In this video, I take on the challenge of building an Iwagumi aquascape inspired by the legendary Mr. Takashi Amano. Using an ADA Cube Garden aquarium, I'll show you the step-by-step process of creating a beautiful rock layout, selecting the right plants, and achieving the perfect balance between nature and design. From choosing the right stones to planting, you'll get an inside look at all the techniques I use to recreate an ADA-style aquascape.
If you're passionate about aquascaping or are looking for inspiration to build your own tank, this video is for you!

👇👇 FOR THE BEST TOOLS AND ACCESSORIES 👇👇

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AQUARIUM SPECS

AQUARIUM
ADA Cube Garden 60-P

AQUARIUM FILTRATION
ADA Super Jet Filter ES-600

AQUARIUM LIGHTING
ADA AQUASKY RGB II
ADA Light Screen

CO2
Pressurized CO2 system with a diffuser

SUBSTRATE
ADA Power Sand Advance 'S'
ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia V2

AQUARIUM DECORATION
20kg Premium Dark Seiryu Stone

AQUATIC PLANTS
5x Eleocharis sp. 'Montevidensis'
3x Eleocharis acicularis
12x Hydrocotyle tripartita 'Mini'

LIVESTOCK
Danio rerio sp. 'Gold Zebra Danio'
Neocaridina davidi var. 'Yellow Fire'

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CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro
00:40 The Inspiration
01:12 Substrate
02:09 Hardscape & Layout
06:24 Planting
09:15 Outro / Final Look

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THIS VIDEO IS PRODUCED IN COLLABORATION WITH

EHEIM

ADA

Dennerle

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OUR VIDEO AND AUDIO GEAR

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CREW
Host: Balázs Farkas
Camera Operators: Miki Bacskai, Áron Tamaskó
Post-Production: Péter Hajdu, Miki Bacskai
Social media: Viktor Lantos, Áron Tamaskó
Subtitles: Tamás Demeter
Graphics, editing, and color grading made in DaVinci Resolve Studio

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OUR FAVORITE TOOLS:

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MUSIC LICENSED THROUGH EPIDEMIC SOUND

#greenaqua #Iwagumi #Aquascaping #ADA #AquariumDesign #IwagumiLayout #TakashiAmano #AquariumSetup #AquascapingTips #AquariumPlants #AquariumRocks #ADAProducts #AquariumAquascaping #AquariumTank #AquascapeDesign #AquascapingTutorial

[Muzvideo]

In my opinion, this is the perfect aquarium turned out. Very cool! Here everything is minimalistic, but the structure of the stones is perfectly emphasized. Nothing distracts the eye from pleasant contemplation.

[mikeinca]

Green Aqua tutorials are the best! Some much information and tips! Thank you Balazs!

[detlefh.]

Your iwagumi is so cool, I got a cold from watching.🤧😉

[dontdoxmebro]

“Minimalist aqua scape”then proceeds to build a rock structure that requires an architectural engineering degree 😂

[RahulDas-jlcw]

Your video is a therapy... Love from india❤❤❤❤❤ And thanks to teach what aquarium hobby is

[Lindonedhel]

Lovely result, and just with two kind ok plants... Love it :)

[gracebromfield]

Thanks for making this video🙏 Variety is the spice of life. I think strictly adhering to the many specific rules of Iwagumi removes the "style" and creative expression of the person making their aquascape. This Iwagumi-style scape is not a mere imitation, but rather an homage to a wonderful idea while allowing for personal expression. It turned out great and is a pleasure to view. I like the gold theme--like specks of sunshine💛 I would have been a Monte Carlo vote though😉

[heme]

Very timely! Just about to scape an iwagumi layout on a 60p. Very informative and inspiring. Thank you!

[TonyHaluza]

I think it’s a very difficult style to get right - and one thing that’s neglected the most is planning/foreseeing the size of the plants. We typically position the stones in a way we like them when there are no plants, but as the plants grow, they tend to cover up the base of the hardscape and hardscape then tends to be (optically) smaller than we initially liked it.

[nnin]

So cool. You mentioned a product for removing thread algae. What was that again? Could not catch it

[aquarium-plants-Novokuznetsk-]

It 's good when you don 't have to buy anything ) Good job

[claudiamehlem]

Nice as everything you're doing. But i think one plant more could make it more interesting!😉

[ikmaljamaluddin]

Iwagumi traditional must use odd numbers but nice layout 👍

[lkawaiteacher]

Looks very nice. I like the choice of live stock. Has Tommy met his match? I wonder why more people do not use cryptocoryne parva mini for something like this or 'lawns' in general. I have a crypt parva mini as a lawn in one of my tanks and it looks great (I think).

[NOS_FTP]

Hey Green Aqua team i have a question, i live in Germany and i want to buy some plants from you guys but i am a bit scared that the plants are going to be dead when they arrive? Or is the delivery save and doasnt take so long, so that the plans aren`t dead on arrival. Thank you in advance. And love your Videos!!

[Mohamed-]

When he asked how do you flatten your soil?
I remembered yesterday I used a cooking spoon 😅

[markknudsen]

@Green Aqua, I was wondering how you'd recommend cleaning something like this? You leave the mulm?
Planning to redo my own tank, opinion appreciated, I plan on micro sword in front. Thoughts on a tall plant to compliment in the rear

[ChristosChristos]

Great idea using tripartita! However, I see a few issues with the final design. The bright green pathways on the left between the two rocks, in the center, and near the right glass are too intense. They compete for attention rather than guiding the eye toward a focal point, such as the main stone. Amano often left space between rock clusters to create a "valley" where the eye can rest while transitioning from one side to the other. Ideally, this effect should be subtle, but in this design, the central area feels overcrowded. The rock arrangement tells a story of overshadowing the left side, especially with the grass sticking out from beneath the left stone. Additionally, the main pathway seems to "climb" the right stone, disrupting the flow. Iwagumi layouts should convey movement-like a stream flowing across the tank—but here, the heavy carpeting makes the scene feel static. To enhance balance, I would replace the grass with Utricularia graminifolia for a smoother, more cohesive look that enlarges the stones visually. Regarding the fish choice, their muted color blends too much with the bright background, adding visual noise rather than enhancing the scene. A mirror or black background would improve contrast, but ideally, Green Neon Tetras and transparent shrimp would better fit the minimalistic aesthetic. Overall, there's too much visual information. Iwagumi thrives on simplicity "less is more" and refining these elements would create a more serene and natural composition.

[darfanyan]

Thanks for making this video🙏 I have a question, a reply would be helpfull for my new tanks. After making hardscape, how many days can I wait before planting? I would like to spend my 1 one day to hardscape, then ı will need to wait for my plants. Im gonna use substrates on roots and soil. If ı stretch top of my tank, and let it wait 1week, would nutrients will be affected by this?

[mnlitan]

Zebra deneo is the super hunter & first moving fish. I want to know that, how shrimp will survive with this fish?