Core Principles
Minimalism — fewer hardscape pieces, more impact.
Natural placement — rocks/wood as if found in nature, not arranged.
Plant unity — coherent species selection.
Negative space — emptiness creates depth.
Hardscape
Rocks: Seiryu stone, Manten stone, Ryuoh stone.
Wood: spider wood, redmoor wood.
Three-stone iwagumi or one-stone island.
Plant Selection
Stem plants in middle and back: Rotala rotundifolia, Ludwigia repens.
Carpet plants: HC Cuba, Monte Carlo, dwarf hairgrass.
Anubias and ferns on hardscape — never directly on substrate.
Maintenance Discipline
Daily wipe-down of glass.
Weekly trimming to maintain shape.
Monthly fertilizer adjustment.
Patience — true Amano-style takes 6-12 months to mature.
Common Mistakes
Too many plant species — looks cluttered, not natural.
Symmetric placement — looks artificial.
Skipping the negative space — feels overcrowded.
- ✦Study Amano's Glass Garden books — visual library
- ✦Photographs show how aquascape should look from main viewing angle
- ✦Practice on small tanks before attempting large showpieces