The long spell of the heat waves this summer seemed very hard for human beings as well as aquatic plants and fish. So I created this aqua terrarium layout with a Wabi-Kusa Wall in a Neo Glass Terra for the visual sensation of coolness.

Refreshing Aqua Terrarium for summer that was created with Sansui Stones and mosses

I used somewhat large Sansui Stones for the framework of the layout and directed the water from the cascade section over to the stones using Willow Moss (Taxiphyllum barbieri) to let the water run down the surface of the stones. I placed Selaginella uncinata, which is also used in the wall, in the depressions of the Sansui Stones. I limited the number of other aquatic plants in the layout to let the stones appear rugged to recreate a natural environment of a water-drenched rocky area where plants grow over rocks.

Water can flow over Sansui Stone easily, and its surface can be kept moist by directing just a small amount of water on it. A protruding stone offers a perfect hiding spot for the fish.

A layout that takes advantage of Sansui Stones, with a lot of textures that allow water to run down easily

Sansui Stone, which is used in this layout has a highly textured surface so that the surface tends to stay moist through a capillary action. Mosses can be grown on the stone by taking advantage of this characteristic of the stone and directing water from the cascade section of a Wabi-Kusa Wall thereby creating a favorable environment for the moss to grow. Sansui Stone is a quite suitable material for Aqua Terrarium as well.

This layout depicts riparian vegetation that stretches from waterfront down to underwater using Micranthemum sp., which can grow emersed easily, placed at the water’s edge. The arrangement is very effective for creating a natural appearance.

 

Although nutritionally-lean cosmetic sand is used for the substrate in this layout, a Wabi-Kusa Micranthemum sp. can be grown easily by placing it simply on the substrate.

 

The appearance of Willow Moss that connects Sansui Stone and the cascade section. The small patch of moss enables the water to flow over the stones and keep the entire arrangement moist. Moisture-loving mosses grow well with this setup.

 

Bright Solar RGB is perfect lighting for a Neo Glass Terra and a Wabi-Kusa Wall.
Both sciophytic mosses and heliophytic stem plants grow well under this light.

DATA

Shooting date: July 24th, 2018 (ADA)
Creator: Yusuke Homma
Solar RGB
Solar RGB Arm Stand W60xD30cm
DOOA NEO GLASS TERRA W60×D30×H16／36cm
DOOA WABI-KUSA WALL 60
Wood Cabinet (Off White) W60×D30×H70cm
DOOA CO₂ MINI COUNTER
DOOA CO₂ MINI DIFFUSER J Ø10
NA Control Timer II
DOOA STREAM PIPE V-1
Super Jet Filter ES-150
DOOA TROPICAL RIVER SAND
DOOA WABI-KUSA MIST

Aquatic Plants:
Wabi-Kusa Hygrophila sp. 6.5Ø
Wabi-Kusa Micranthemum sp. 5Ø
Hygrophila corymbosa ‘Compact’
Taxiphyllum barbieri
Wabi-Kusa Mat Selaginella uncinata
Salvinia natans

Fish & Invertebrates:
Serrapinnus kriegi
Crossocheilus siamensis
Otocinclus sp.
Caridina multidentata