Future Planned Tank

[GotCrabs]

OK, so after a couple weeks of going through countless images and videos of different aquascapes and having conversations with @Callan and @neo-2FX I've come to the conclusion that I will next look into an Iwagumi set up with a Hemianthus Callitrichoides (HC) carpet started in a dry start method (DSM), seeing as some of you know I have little patience I figure that doing a DSM Iwagumi HC carpet is a smart move as I won't have to do anything at all besides spray the scape once or twice a day until I am at the point where I am happy to fill the tank.

In regards to aquarium stone/rocks, what would be wise to use, not to use, something that won't make the pH jump like has happened in @neo-2FX's tank, he and @Callan suggested lava rock, what other rocks would be wise to consider also?

The tank I will be using is the trusty ol' Mr Aqua 3ft bookshelf, 90cm x 24cm x 21cm from memory, filter is a Eheim 2213, light is a BeamsWork 90cm LED, again I think it's 24w and will look at 8 to 10 hours each day of running time, with the tank covered in cling wrap.

Substrate will be either left over Fluval Shrimp Stratum I have, or I could get a bag of CaribSea Eco Complete.

When it comes to shrimp, I'm thinking I might just go back to the ever reliable Red Cherry Shrimp and keep them seeing I haven't had much luck with Crystal Reds and Chameleons.

Thoughts about what I've said above? Any tips? Pointers? All welcome, cheers.

[GotCrabs]

What would be a suitable substrate?

Roughly how many pots of HC would I need for this tank?

Where online is best to grab the HC too?

[GotCrabs]

Don't all answer at once, haha.

[Disciple]

you dont need too many HC pts 5 should be enough if you spread it around and do your DSm start.

Not sure where to get HC i just got to my LFS

Substrate anything inert is great for cherries in my opinion

[JacksonL]

If you are doing DSM an inert substrate won't really be a good option though, the plants need to get nutrients from the soil in a dry start. You can use watered down ferts in a spray bottle, but I've read of a lot of issues with fert burn doing it that way.

dragon stone is pretty much totally inert and has an interesting look to it, I think that's what I'll be looking at using for my next nano if I'm stocking it with something other than cherrys.

Aquagreen normally has HC in stock, being in WA I can't comment on the quality or quantity they supply though as we can't order plants over here.