[quote=K Randall;340248]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Phil Edwards  I'd just like to give credit where credit is due, and congratulate the maker on a really exemplary tank.
Phil, is there something you don't like about this particular tank, or is it JUST that it won ADA also that bothers you?
Karen |
Karen,
I've got nothing against the aquarium or the aquarist. It's a very very well done aquascape. The aquarist (I apologize for forgetting his name) did a fantastic job on it and, I agree, deserves recognition for his work. The difficulty I'm having is that it is SUCH a good aquascape that it's effectively the only option for 1st and Best of Show in the competition it's entered in. Automatic victory, everyone else go home, don't pass go, don't collect $200.00.
I'm not sure if you're familiar with NASCAR racing but a trend as built up over the past couple years of their highest division drivers (Nextel Cup) racing in their 2nd highest division (Busch, or used to be). These drivers routinely win the races and take the highest placing in the circuit to the detriment of the drivers who's greatest achievements to date have been racing in this 2nd division. They've worked their hardest only to have someone from a higher level of competition come in and ruin the level of competition for the field because they're so much better drivers. That's kind of how I'm seeing the situation with some of these entries. For the most part the level of this year's competition was very close in my eyes and could have gone in a million different directions if some entries weren't there. On some level it just feels to me like "stealing the show" and making light of an otherwise very competitive field.
Please don't misunderstand, I don't begrudge anyone their results; they were earned though all of the planning and work that went into the final aquascape. I know I'm an idealist and that the Ideal never truly exists.
I agree wholeheartedly with you about the need to have ADA entries in the AGA contest. Not only becuase of all the support ADA gives the AGA and also to support the aquatic gardening community as a whole. What I saw this year when browsing the entries were a lot of great aquariums in a level to give lots of competition then BANG, those super duper outstanding aquariums that had already placed highly in a extremely competetive environment. It's a conundrum, for sure, and one that I'm not sure has a solution.
Re: 2007 AGA International Aquascaping Contest 
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