tsunami

Would just like to send a reminder and a few details out about the APC Aquascaping Contest, with a deadline on December 1st. We are currently accepting entries in the following categories:

non-co2,
co2-enriched
and non-competitive beginner categories

Also, for the first time, I would also like to introduce our seven judges from all over the world, put a face to their names and a couple of tanks/words of wisdom to help motivate you along the way! !

Rony Suzuki, from Brazil


Example layouts:




Jeff Senske, from USA



Example layouts:






Wayne Sham, from Hong Kong



Example layouts:





Biographical information and philosophy:

I remember my hobby of aquaria started ever since I was eight. It
began with just keeping fish and then evolved into breeding discus.
Then, in year 2000 I started to grow aquatic plants. Every single step
was just as exciting, especially when it comes to aquascaping. In Hong
Kong, due to space limitation, most people aren't able to own a 5- or
6-foot tank. The common tank size is 3-foot and under. But because of
this reason, Hong Kong aquascapers can often grasp aquascaping smaller
tanks with ease. For instance, water quality control, material ratios,
and fish choices. Moreover, because of Hong Kong's limited resources
for hang-out places, we can have meetings every week. In this way,
knowledge of aquascape, plant growing, photography, and maintenance
regime and such can be continually exchanged and proliferated.



Aquascaping Philosophy:

To aquascape well, one must take notice of everything in nature
because every animal and every plant share a special bond.
Furthermore, one must pay extra attention to every single factor and
the proportion that exists among them.

Daniel Larrsen, from Sweden



Example layout:



Biographical information and aquascaping philosophy:

My name is Daniel Larsson and live in a small town called Linköping in
Sweden and I'm 31 years old.

My parents have always had an aquarium and I didn't think much about
it until in my teens where I got my first 60-litres tank where I bred
Sajicas. I tried to tend to the plants as much as I could because I
always liked my parents overgrown tank.

It was not until when I started my University studies and got
broadband and first found pictures of Amano-tanks I got totally stuck.
As soon as I started working and got my first apartment I bought my
310-litres still going strong. I started with clay and gravel and TMG
with no success growing anything with the all to clean tap water. So I
started Google (acutally Altavista at the time the net everyday and
read and read and read. Every day.

I found PMDD-ingredients and managed to dissolve a lot of CO2 and then
it exploded with growth. Then came EI and the growth got so good I was
finally able to put together my first scapes and started joining
Aquascaping contest.

My aquascaping philosphy is very design-oriented where I like strict
and minimalistic designs where the designer have a clearly defined
goal to make something inspired by nature but with a twist and
something that transcends a collection of beautiful plants with a good
usage of space to get a 3D-I-want-to-be-in-there-feeling.

Agus Po, from Canada

Example layout:



Biographical information and aquascaping philosophy:

As requested, here is a short paragraph taken from my portfolio
regarding my aquascape hobby development:

One day, as I played by a clear riverside, I remembered the lush
aquatic plants carpeting the banks and the frolicsome fishes waltzing
between the waving leaves. This invocation to nature forever paints my
vivid childhood memories. For many years, I have tried to reconstitute
it in my aquaria, but failed. Frustrated and dissapointed, I gave up.
In the Christmas Eve of 1999, a poster suspending near the entranceway
of a pet shop captivated my mind. It showcased an aquatic plant layout
design by the world-renowned Takashi Amano; the pioneer of "nature
aquascape." Inspired by the illustration and empowered by my acquired
research ability, I quickly cultivated he knowledge to manifest my
childhood vision in flesh and stem.

Current achievements:

Participated in four international aquatic layout competitions.

Earned honourable awards for two aquatic layouts in AGA International
Aquascape competition.

Ranked 210th and 247th in ADA International Aquatic Layout Competition.

A sucessful aquatic layout design must exhibit depth and character.By
studying nature, a good layout artist can manipulate the spaces around
the aquarium to create a sense of depth greater than the dimension of
the aquarium, while still retaining a bold personal touch and
character that makes the design unique.

Roland Seah, from Singapore



Example layouts:





Autobiographical information and aquascaping philosophy:

I've been playing with goldfish, guppies and plants since childhood and have kept a community aquarium with Hdrilla for a number of years. I stumbled upon the planted tank hobby about four years ago and have been heavily involved since. I participate in the planted aquarium internet community in Singapore and was the webmaster for the only planted aquarium forum, www.aquaticquotient.com. I currently work, along with my partner, as an aquascaper in the new Green Chapter company, which installs aquascapes in both public and private spaces throughout Singapore.

As a nature loving person, I love exploring the woods, jungles, and streams of my home country. I have always wanted to bring the masterpiece of nature back to my home.
Living in the tropical climate of Singapore has been a bonus for me as I can easily access the tropical biotopes of many aquarium fish and plants. I draw my inspiration from these explorations for my aquascapes.

My aquascapes primarily use hairgrass, Cryptocorynes, ferns, mosses, and Anubias. These low maintenance plant species are perfect for creating the tropical jungle theme aquascapes I enjoy so much. My favorite layouts are those that bring the scenery of Mother Nature to our home – these are the ones I find most visually and spiritually rewarding.


... and Jeff Kropp, from USA!

Example layout of a long term aquarium with a self-sustaining pencilfish population:






Seven judges that will be hopefully balanced in style, perferences, and aquascaping technique. Furthmore, each is different in their aquarium and aquascaping goals from the judges who work at this professionally to those who setup only one aquascape that is meant to be their personal show tank.

GOOD LUCK!

Carlos