tsunami

It has come to my attention that some important clarifications should be made about the APC Journals. These journals were introduced into the contest as a required portion of the total score (5%). They were meant to increase dialogue and discussion between aquascapers as their layouts progressed. They were meant to show those less experienced how an aquascape progresses from beginning to end, or even how an existing aquascape is prepared for competition.

Although these journals are part of the total raw score, they are NOT a requirement to enter. Nonetheless, it is an easy way to gain points and an edge over other competitors. To receive full credit for a journal, you must:

*update your journal at least once every 2 weeks until the end of the contest

*8 photos (of the whole layout, setup, equipment, individual plants, anything) which DOES NOT have to include final layout contest photography

*provide information on plant choice, equipment, fertilization, lighting, or other aspects of the aquarium

There were some questions about which aquariums can submit journals and which cannot. There have also been some issues about privacy:


*journals can be started on already existing (even ten year old) layouts, you do NOT have to start a brand new layout just for this contest

*there was some talk about privacy being an issue, but this is easily remedied by an already existing feature of the journal system. After registering with gnatster, Art, or myself, go to 'my journal' and make it private but viewable to your buddies. Lastly, add my nickname, tsunami, to your list of buddies so I can see your private journal. If not, I will not be able to score them, and you will not be able to receive credit. In this fashion, those who wish to keep their aquascapes private can do so.

Lastly, I'd like to announce the official creation of the APC Journal Contest Subforum, which will provide aquascapers with a second option for documenting their layouts. The requirements are the same as the journal system, except that you do not have to register as a contestant to begin your journal and do not have the ability to make your layout private.

However, I hope it will make it easier for contestants to post and for members to contribute and read.

Thank you for your attention and let me know if you have any further questions,

Carlos
Contest Head

awrieger

I don't understand about the need for privacy. Is it a matter of identity protection? Or a matter of not letting your competitors get wind of your grand plans?

If the latter, in your first paragraph you say they're meant to show those less experienced how an aquascape progresses, but how is that possible if only you can view it? Or will the journal be made public after the competition?

Mind you, it might be a good thing not being able to see others' tanks. Seeing someone else's awesome tank in progress would only dishearten me and make me want to give up!

tsunami

I think the point is to give people the choice. Having a journal form part of the contest is quite a new concept, and we are testing it out to see if it functions as a permanent part of the contest.

After the contest is over, I expect all aquascapers to make their formally private journals public.

Carlos