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Style guide
Iwagumi
Minimalist rock composition in the Japanese tradition
Iwagumi is the zen of aquascaping: a handful of carefully placed stones, a single carpeting plant and lots of open water. Rooted in the Japanese garden tradition, the layout is built around an odd number of rocks (typically three to five) that create depth, balance and calm.
Key principles
Rock is the star
Usually Seiryu, Manten or dragon stone. The main rock (o-yaishi) anchors the layout; secondary rocks (fuku-ishii) support it; a small accent stone (soe-ishii) adds tension. Placement follows the rule of thirds and asymmetric balance.
One carpet species
Keep planting discipline strict: a single foreground carpet such as dwarf hairgrass, Monte Carlo or Glossostigma. Mid and background plants are rare or absent.
Hardscape-first design
Sketch the rock arrangement before adding water or plants. Every rock should lean the same direction, and negative space is as important as the rocks themselves.
Patience with trimming
Carpets need high light, CO₂ and regular trimming to stay low and dense. Iwagumi is a long-term commitment to weekly maintenance.
Who is it for?
Hobbyists who love minimalism, strong discipline and a layout that looks like art. Requires CO₂ and high light — not a low-tech setup.
Getting started
- 1
Choose 3–7 stones of the same rock type and find the strongest face of each.
- 2
Lay substrate on a slope — deep at the back, thin at the front — for forced perspective.
- 3
Place the main rock first at roughly one-third of the tank width, then build around it.
- 4
Plant a single carpet species in small patches and press it firmly into the substrate.
- 5
Fill slowly, run CO₂ and high light, and trim the carpet weekly to keep it tight.
