Aquascaping contest by APC? - Aquascaping

tsunami · 02-27-2004, 03:51 PM

In this week's weekly topic, Jeff Ludwig suggested that we have an aquascaping contest based on only one plant.

Although an aquascaping contest using only one plant might be interesting and instructive for the participants, I don't think most members will be willing to devote one of their setups to such a layout. However, members, prove me wrong.

Should APC sponsor an aquascaping contest? And what would make this one different from all the other aquascaping contests sponsored by Aquabotanic, our friends at AquaticQuotient, ADA, and AGA?

If APC is to have its own aquascaping contest, then it must do something original and of high quality. However, we need ideas and suggestions. Feel free to post on this thread, or, if you want, send me a private message with your idea.

Let's see what the APC membership can do to help place this forum on the map!

Carlos

Gomer · 02-27-2004, 04:24 PM

I'm always game for seeing new stuff. I think a single plant is too restrictive...but 3maximum would be interesting. So would a low light only or a crypt only etc contest

ekim · 02-27-2004, 05:34 PM

I think a contest with a maximum of three plant species would be great!

aquaverde · 02-27-2004, 07:00 PM

The single species tank idea is great, but probably beyond the means of most, unless it's a small tank with a fast grower. I've seen anubias-only tanks that were striking enough that I'd like to try that, if the contest were 3 plants, then I would know what 3 Anubias I would want. Only problem, you'd have to check back with me in about 3 years

I say go for it. A 3-species tank would really give some a motivation to do a tank that's more focused than the usual.

ryuken168 · 02-27-2004, 11:24 PM

I do like the idea with one type of plant.
But lets put a spin on it, like the TV show THE IRON CHEF.
The plant picked for the contest should be the main focus point and you can use other type of plants to accent it.
It should be a tank available to all like a 5.5 to a 10 gal. only.

Ken

MiamiAG · 02-28-2004, 04:26 AM

I really like Ken's idea.

Steve Pituch · 02-28-2004, 05:16 AM

How about having an adjunct Biotope contest?

I am concerned about the direction of the AGA biotope contest since it has no guidelines. This would give us a chance to develop some guidelines among our members and then have us try them out. The preparation could be used as an on-line learning experience and also prep us for the AGA contest.

A biotope contest would give us members who like to walk in the local ditches to find their plants a chance to have their work recognized since these kind of tanks are often based on natural design, and do not often meet conventional planted aquaria aquascaping contest criteria.

If you wanted to limit it, which I think is a good idea, we could limit it to one of my favorite types of biotope, the Local Biotope, where the entrant is limited to his/her local environment within say a 25 mile radius of his residence. This would also eliminate the very general theme type of biotopes, which are my least favorite, such as having someone putting a bunch of rocks into a tank and calling it an African Rift Lake Biotope.

I think it would generate far less participation than the aquascape category but there are a significant number of our members who are biotopists, and we could probably get others to participate.

Steve Pituch

Sir_BlackhOle · 02-28-2004, 06:21 AM

I second the biotope idea. I love seeing other peoples biotope tanks

Wheeler · 02-28-2004, 07:33 AM

I think a single species contest would be awesome, but I'm not sure how many people would be up for it. I would

Why not have a trial run? Polls are nice, but when you really get down to it, the number of people who decide to participate will determine success.

I think another neat idea for a contest is a journal type thing, and I'd be willing to participate in this. The participants would start with an empty tank (size of their choice), and light, filter, substrate, CO2, etc would be totally their choice, and plant selection, 'scaping, etc, would be their choice. This might a be a little tougher on the wallet, or us "cheapos" can show everyone how we get by with less.

The contest would start out with pics of the empty (equipped) tank and then the tank newly planted. A weekly photo submission keeps you in the contest after that. 9-12 weeks would be a good contest deadline.

This type of contest would be more educational to new people and experienced alike for obvious reasons. Further, it could be a chance for the low-tech and non-CO2 people to show off. Of course, 9-12 weeks might be a little limiting for them.

Lots of people start these journal types of threads in the forums, but few, including myself, follow through for various reasons. Incentive might keep us on top...

Raul-7 · 02-28-2004, 10:55 AM

Single species idea is great, and even better...make the tank size a max of 15g? Then it would be really cheap to setup, and it won't need any high maintenance...but who picks the species, the judges or the aquascapers? It would be better to let the aquascaper choose to see the unique desgins they can come up with!

Could you make the contest during the summer, I'm pretty broke now..