Iwagumi or Nature Aquarium: Determining the Best Aquascape Style for Your Aquarium

Choosing the right aquascape style can transform your aquarium into a captivating underwater world. Two popular styles, Iwagumi and Nature Aquarium, offer distinct approaches to design and maintenance. Understanding their differences will help you decide which style fits your taste, skill level, and aquarium goals.

Minimalist Iwagumi aquascape with stones and low plants

What is Iwagumi?

Iwagumi is a Japanese aquascaping style that focuses on simplicity and balance. The word "Iwagumi" means "rock formation," highlighting the importance of stones as the main design element. This style uses a small number of rocks arranged in specific patterns to create harmony and evoke natural landscapes.

Key Features of Iwagumi

• Stone arrangement: Typically uses three to five stones, with one main stone (Oyaishi) and smaller supporting stones (Fukuishi).

• Minimal plant use: Low-growing plants like carpet moss or grass are common to keep the focus on rocks.

• Open space: Negative space is important to create a sense of calm and simplicity.

• Symmetry and balance: Stones are placed according to rules like the golden ratio to achieve visual harmony.

  
  

Who Should Choose Iwagumi?

Iwagumi suits aquarists who enjoy minimalist design and want a clean, elegant look. It requires patience and precision in stone placement but less frequent plant trimming compared to other styles. Beginners with some experience in aquascaping can try Iwagumi, but it demands attention to detail.

What is Nature Aquarium?

The Nature Aquarium style was popularized by Takashi Amano and aims to recreate natural landscapes underwater. It combines rocks, wood, and a variety of plants to mimic forests, mountains, or riverbeds. This style is more dynamic and lush compared to Iwagumi.

Key Features of Nature Aquarium

• Diverse materials: Uses rocks, driftwood, and many plant species.

• Layered planting: Tall plants in the back, medium in the middle, and low plants in front create depth.

• Natural flow: The layout often follows natural patterns like river bends or forest floors.

• More maintenance: Requires regular trimming and care to keep plants healthy and balanced.

  
  

Who Should Choose Nature Aquarium?

Nature Aquarium fits aquarists who love vibrant, natural scenes and don’t mind spending time on plant care. It allows more creativity and flexibility in design, making it ideal for those who want a lively, evolving tank.

Lush Nature Aquarium with driftwood, rocks, and diverse plants

Comparing Iwagumi and Nature Aquarium

Aspect	Iwagumi	Nature Aquarium
Focus	Rocks and minimal plants	Rocks, wood, and diverse plants
Design style	Minimalist, balanced, calm	Natural, dynamic, lush
Plant variety	Few low-growing species	Many species with varied heights
Maintenance level	Moderate, mainly stone placement	Higher, regular plant trimming
Visual impact	Clean, serene, Zen-like	Rich, natural, immersive
Skill level	Intermediate	Beginner to advanced

Practical Tips for Choosing Your Style

• Consider your time: If you want a low-maintenance tank, Iwagumi might be better. Nature Aquarium requires more frequent care.

• Think about your space: Iwagumi works well in smaller tanks due to its simplicity. Nature Aquarium can fill larger tanks with complex scenes.

• Decide your aesthetic: Do you prefer a minimalist, Zen look or a vibrant, natural environment?

• Budget for materials: Nature Aquarium may need more plants and wood, increasing initial costs.

• Skill and patience: Iwagumi demands precise stone placement and patience. Nature Aquarium allows more flexibility but requires plant knowledge.

  
  

Getting Started with Your Chosen Style

Starting an Iwagumi Aquarium

1. Select high-quality stones with interesting shapes.

2. Plan your layout on paper or with software to follow balance rules.

3. Choose low-growing plants like Eleocharis parvula or Hemianthus callitrichoides.

4. Use a fine substrate to highlight stones.

5. Maintain water parameters stable for plant growth.

   
   

Starting a Nature Aquarium

1. Gather a variety of plants, driftwood, and rocks.

2. Arrange materials to mimic a natural scene, layering plants by height.

3. Use nutrient-rich substrate and CO2 injection for plant health.

4. Monitor plant growth and trim regularly.

5. Add fish or shrimp that complement the aquascape.

   
   

Close-up of vibrant Nature Aquarium with green plants and driftwood

Final Thoughts on Choosing Your Aquascape Style

Both Iwagumi and Nature Aquarium offer unique ways to create stunning underwater landscapes. Your choice depends on how much time you want to spend on maintenance, the look you prefer, and your experience level. Iwagumi delivers a peaceful, minimalist scene centered on stones, while Nature Aquarium offers a rich, natural environment full of plants and textures.