Sozo Haishoku

Sozo Haishoku, a process of replacing aquatic plants without changing the composition framework of the layout, is mainly performed for lwagumi layouts, since heavy stones are difficult to be removed particularly from large tanks for rearrangement, unlike driftwood which is light in weight.

A totally identical lwagumi cannot be achieved even if the same combination of stones is rearranged in the same way. This is also why it would be a great idea to enjoy the satisfactory lwagumi for a long time just by replacing the aquatic plants. Stones which are stable in contrast to driftwood are suitable for Sozo Haishoku because the composition of the layout will not be easily affected even during removal of the fishes, shrimps and aquatic plants. The procedures of Sozo Haishoku are the same as for an ordinary aquarium makeover up to the process of scoop ing out the fishes and shrimps as well as the removal of aquatic plants. Before removing the aquatic plants, it is advisable to drain the tank water beforehand to facilitate the work. The foreground plants which spread by runners, such as Glossostigma, should be removed from the substrate as if we rip up a rug from the floor. At this time, you should not get rid of the Aqua Soil around the plant roots. With soil on the roots, the plants can be kept in a container such as a foam carton for a certain period of time.

In case of casual Sozo Haishoku, what you need to do after the removal of fishes, shrimps and aquatic plants is to add Aqua Soil, preferably Aqua Soil Powder type, to the substrate to compensate for the loss in soil during the removal of aquatic plants and then plant new aquatic plants on the renewed substrate. When performing a full-scale Sozo Haishoku for a large aquarium tank, the Aqua Soil must be scooped out from deep inside the substrate. Then, Aqua Soil (normal type) should be added and lastly, Aqua Soil Powder type should be spread on the substrate surface.

Doing this allows to restore the deteriorated substrate to a certain extent and facilitate the healthy growth of aquatic plants. Before proceeding with this work, you should dig out a part of the substrate to drain almost all the water that remains within the substrate. This is necessary to drastically improve the anaerobic condition of the substrate by draining the water and exposing the inner side of the substrate to the air. When adding Aqua Soil to the substrate, the hobbyist can make a different style of soil mound from the previous layout. It is recommended to consider the change of the height of the soil layer be• cause a tall mound of soil can add a different dynamic image to the lwagumi.