Wabi-Kusa

Discussion in 'Planted Tanks' started by Rainstorm, Aug 7, 2019.

  1. OP
    Rainstorm

    Rainstorm

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2016
    Messages:
    1,789
    Likes Received:
    824
    Location:
    UK
    Yeah it does, that's why I like the Wabi-Kusa method - it gives you more room to have a bit of water and still have soil in it without mucking it up. Also in the few years of my aquarium plant keeping, this is the much easiest way to keep a tank full of some bog water and not a full tank of water.
     
    T. Guppy likes this.
  2. Guest




  3. Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2011
    Messages:
    13,311
    Likes Received:
    3,714
    Location:
    UK
    A friend of mine went mushroom foraging yesterday afternoon and I just tagged along.
    I was amazed at the moss growing on the forest floor. Some of the clumps were huge.
     
    T. Guppy likes this.
  4. Jandre Frey

    Jandre Frey

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2017
    Messages:
    230
    Likes Received:
    98
    Location:
    Paarl, western cape
    Little update..
    Recently moved over to natural sunlight. It now sits in front of a window with no extra light on it. have to say... I am very pleased with the results.

    D1CF2F7B-FB40-4892-87C5-077E0BD90F86.jpeg
     
    A new day likes this.
  5. OP
    Rainstorm

    Rainstorm

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2016
    Messages:
    1,789
    Likes Received:
    824
    Location:
    UK
    Update on my wabi-kusa. Sadly I think the DHG doesn't do well in the cold, even though I do have some new growths, it's been rather here over the winter and I am quite surprised it's still alive, hopefully with spring / summer round the corner, it will do better in the warmer weather. The moss seems to do better in the cold weather, however how stringy it gets - I think this is spiky moss and I quite like it. I'm also surprised that the anubias has done well converting to emersed. Sadly I lost all the buce, not happy in very humid conditions and went mouldy after a few weeks. The ferns are also doing well too - lots of new shoots every week. Oh not forgetting the hydrocotle tripartita, it is doing very well and growing, even if it's slow.

    As it appears I have been neglecting this wabi-kusa, it does have some nutrient deficiency, which hopefully soon I can fix as I have already got liquid plant food for the whole tank and with the warmer months / sun getting up earlier than usual, they will all get better day-light.

    DSC_0023.JPG

    DSC_0024.JPG

    DSC_0025.JPG

    DSC_0026.JPG

    DSC_0027.JPG
     
  6. A new day

    A new day Moderator

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2019
    Messages:
    6,986
    Likes Received:
    5,956
    Location:
    Cape Town
    Good to hear from you again @Rainstorm ! Tank looks nice :thumbup:
     
    Rainstorm likes this.
  7. Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2011
    Messages:
    13,311
    Likes Received:
    3,714
    Location:
    UK
    @Rainstorm
    Spring isn't quite round the corner :eek:
    The cold could well last until the end of March. With proper warm temps not happening until mid May

    Good to see an update
     
    Rainstorm likes this.
  8. OP
    Rainstorm

    Rainstorm

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2016
    Messages:
    1,789
    Likes Received:
    824
    Location:
    UK
    Oooh I must have gotten my information wrong when I last googled for the info. You're right, it's on the 20th March. Still it's not a long way to go anyway.
     
  9. OP
    Rainstorm

    Rainstorm

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2016
    Messages:
    1,789
    Likes Received:
    824
    Location:
    UK
    Yeah I have been quite busy - having to stay away from the forums because of my studies and well dealing with some rather strange illnesses over the last few months (doctors are puzzled at this stage), I had to take a break from everything. Luckily my wabi kusa doesn't take much of my time and I have more time for other things that need to be done. Other than that, I'm doing fine really. I just take one day at a time.
     
    A new day likes this.
  10. A new day

    A new day Moderator

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2019
    Messages:
    6,986
    Likes Received:
    5,956
    Location:
    Cape Town
    I hope it all turns out well and nothing too serious!
     
    Rainstorm likes this.
  11. OP
    Rainstorm

    Rainstorm

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2016
    Messages:
    1,789
    Likes Received:
    824
    Location:
    UK
    Ugh not a happy bunny right now - been in pain all day so my aunt has said take it easy and go with the flow. She's great really.

    I"m writing a book and studying and Facebooking, looking for hilarious memes.

    This so resonates with my scottish / yorkshire side - so funny!!!

    83954651_174873270584845_8188276457433202688_n.jpg
    Aye eck appens :D
     
    A new day likes this.
  12. MariaS

    MariaS Retired Moderator

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2015
    Messages:
    8,740
    Likes Received:
    3,580
    Location:
    Klipriver, Midvaal
    @Rainstorm,

    Nice to see you online again

    Tank looks very nice

    Sorry to hear you havent been well and hope you recover soon
     
  13. OP
    Rainstorm

    Rainstorm

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2016
    Messages:
    1,789
    Likes Received:
    824
    Location:
    UK
    Thanks, @MariaS, hopefully soon we can get to the bottom of this mystery ailment.

    Yeah I'm super happy with the tank, I just need plants that don't require heating and then I am good to go. I"m actually quite happy with the tripartita, it looks so pretty like dainty little pennyworts going everywhere.
     
    MariaS likes this.
  14. OP
    Rainstorm

    Rainstorm

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2016
    Messages:
    1,789
    Likes Received:
    824
    Location:
    UK
    Update on the tank - spring is round the corner and I have had an explosive growth in the last 2 weeks. Had to trim the moss down.

    DSC_0070.JPG

    DSC_0071.JPG
     
    T. Guppy, Cale24 and A new day like this.
  15. OP
    Rainstorm

    Rainstorm

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2016
    Messages:
    1,789
    Likes Received:
    824
    Location:
    UK
  16. A new day

    A new day Moderator

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2019
    Messages:
    6,986
    Likes Received:
    5,956
    Location:
    Cape Town
  17. OP
    Rainstorm

    Rainstorm

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2016
    Messages:
    1,789
    Likes Received:
    824
    Location:
    UK
    Thanks. Yeah a bit stressed here, with what's going on amid the Coronavirus and work shutting down for a couple of days. I'm in the high risk category so I've been told to stay at home until it is safe for me to come back to work. So I am going to go crazy before this week reaches Friday.
     
    A new day likes this.
  18. A new day

    A new day Moderator

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2019
    Messages:
    6,986
    Likes Received:
    5,956
    Location:
    Cape Town
    Yes it’s all a bit crazy!
    I’ve also been told to stay home. Grateful to have the hobby related stuff to keep me occupied :)
     
  19. A new day

    A new day Moderator

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2019
    Messages:
    6,986
    Likes Received:
    5,956
    Location:
    Cape Town
    PS @Rainstorm you’ve kind of influenced my forum name. When I joined TASA you were quite active and I liked the sound of Rainstorm. I sat outside early one winters morning, looked at the first rays of light and thought ... a new day :)
     
    Rainstorm likes this.
  20. OP
    Rainstorm

    Rainstorm

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2016
    Messages:
    1,789
    Likes Received:
    824
    Location:
    UK
    Awwww thanks, I chose the name cos for some reason, it resonated with me - I'm always at peace with a rain storm and because of my years involved with the spiritual world, as a seer (some call me an oracle, and other labels), I'm always exploring the unknown and learning new things all the time. Short story is I came across Mayan day signs and it happens that I was born under the mayan day sign known as Rainstorm, Kawoq, Caucau - Rainstorm being the english version of the two. It grew on me and I've used it since. I also love the turtle totem too, which also is the totem for the day sign as well.

    Every single rain storm we had on the farm, I always felt some sort of calling (it's like music to me) - I always knew the rain would come and sweep through like a broom with thunder and lightning. I could smell it before it happens. I know exactly when a rain storm would come along and for some reason, I've always been lucky in the UK - not getting caught in a rain storm because of that ability to predict it. It is just music in my head, for some strange reason, it feels so calming and I feel at peace with it.

    And yeah a new day would signify rainbows - rainbows meaning hope, always hope after a storm for a brand new beginning. For some reason, I can just see rainbows associated with your forum name.
     
    T. Guppy and A new day like this.
  21. A new day

    A new day Moderator

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2019
    Messages:
    6,986
    Likes Received:
    5,956
    Location:
    Cape Town
    The son and I are making wabi kusa balls. Kinda like baking mud cakes :)

    There are a couple of recipes on the internet but the one we’re trying:
    - 3 cups top soil
    - 3 cups Langa
    - less than a cup of water
    Mix through thoroughly adding the water bit by bit until the ‘mud’ just sticks together when pressed firmly. Not a sloppy consistency. Got 5 cricket ball sized ones.

    Leaving it to bake in the sun for a couple of hours. Will then wrap in coconut fibre using thin fishing line. Some recipes suggest wrapping it with dried spagnum moss, which I happen to have, so might try both.

    Let’s see how it goes!

    C972210A-01D7-4EF4-949B-F87CB041AC24.jpeg
     
    Cale24, T. Guppy and Jandre Frey like this.

Recent Posts

Loading...
Similar Threads - Wabi Kusa Forum Date
Wabi Kusa Balls Planted Tanks Oct 5, 2021
Wabi-kusa inspired scapes. Aquatic plants Aug 9, 2019
My Wabi Kusa attempt Aquatic plants Jun 4, 2014
Wabi-kusa/ikebana inspired tank Members Systems Apr 5, 2012

Share This Page