Aquatic Plant Central - View Single Post - 2007 AGA International Aquascaping Contest

Steven_Chong · 11-14-2007, 11:07 AM

In my opinion, the goal to develop aquascaping should not be to create "tiers" of competitition-- IMO, there's not enough competition to go around yet. 200 in the AGA, 1200 in the ADA, and these contests are on a WORLD WIDE basis.

I understand that just handling 200 is a lot of work for AGA, but for a world wide competition to only have 200 competitors? Compared to other hobbies/interests/artforms, I have to say that is still very, very small. In my opinion, we should want to continue to see greater numbers and higher level among competitors in aquascaping.

I'm not exactly sure what the effects of competing against great aquascapers has on the participation in the hobby, but I can hardly believe it would act as a deterant and dishearten folks from participating. If anything, with the increasingly high levels of aquascaping, I think we're seeing more excitement, more participation and higher levels of aquascaping overall everywhere.

To this day, seeing the great scapes (especially those done by Amano) is still what draws folks into this hobby, and what makes it really incredible to anyone who happens to come accross our community. That reaction-- DAMN I had no IDEA something so INCREDIBLE existed! Is still what's helping us grow, and will help aquascaping to receive wider recognition as an art form.

Just my 2 cents about the importance of encouraging/showing very high level scapes at any point we can.

11-14-2007, 11:07 AM	#71 (permalink)
Steven_Chong Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hawaii, but California for school Posts: 1,044 iTrader Ratings: 8 iTrader Positive Rating: 100% Plant Points: 54780	Re: 2007 AGA International Aquascaping Contest In my opinion, the goal to develop aquascaping should not be to create "tiers" of competitition-- IMO, there's not enough competition to go around yet. 200 in the AGA, 1200 in the ADA, and these contests are on a WORLD WIDE basis. I understand that just handling 200 is a lot of work for AGA, but for a world wide competition to only have 200 competitors? Compared to other hobbies/interests/artforms, I have to say that is still very, very small. In my opinion, we should want to continue to see greater numbers and higher level among competitors in aquascaping. I'm not exactly sure what the effects of competing against great aquascapers has on the participation in the hobby, but I can hardly believe it would act as a deterant and dishearten folks from participating. If anything, with the increasingly high levels of aquascaping, I think we're seeing more excitement, more participation and higher levels of aquascaping overall everywhere. To this day, seeing the great scapes (especially those done by Amano) is still what draws folks into this hobby, and what makes it really incredible to anyone who happens to come accross our community. That reaction-- DAMN I had no IDEA something so INCREDIBLE existed! Is still what's helping us grow, and will help aquascaping to receive wider recognition as an art form. Just my 2 cents about the importance of encouraging/showing very high level scapes at any point we can.