Forest Dream by Olivier Ly get Aquascape of the Month on June 2011. This thank inspired by forest then he try to control the shape and growth of the plants to balance with the hardscape. The mix of all the little plants growing together also made the tank appear more natural. Hardscape Arrangement, For this layout, he focused the design of the layout around the wood hardscape to create an illusion of trees. Placed the wood pieces on large mounds of substrate to make the wood stand taller than the rest of the aquatic landscape. Separate pieces of wood were placed at the base of the stumps to form the root of the trees.

The most important element of this hardscape is the mix of Eleocharis and Lilaeopsis with some other plants like Rannunculus or Marsilea. This combination created a more balanced feel by bring the hardscape, substrate and the other plants together in unity. He also planted in small touches of Hygrophila pinnatifida to mimic younger trees growing near the main trees.

The tank : 160*60*60, 576 liters. Pouzzolane, Aquasoil Amazonia 1, Clear super, Tourmaline bc, Bacter 100.
3*150W hqi, 8000K.
Industrial CO2 (2kg bottle).
Many pieces of wood for hardscape.

Plants : Lilaeopsis brasiliensis, eleocharis parvula, echinodorus tennelus, staurogyne, rannunculus inundatus, microsorum pteropus narrow, bolbitis, weeping moss, difformis, mayaca, ceratopteris thalictroides, hygrophila pinnatifida.

Fauna : hyphessobricons eos and bentosi, cardinalis, maroniis, farlowellas, caridina japonica.

This is Octopus’s nano scape from January 2011 – 33 cm x 23 cm x 23 cm

Tank size 75 gallon Aqueon
300 watt heater
Lights= 4×54 watt T5HO 10 hrs on
Filtration= Cascade 1000 setup as spray bar across the back I believe 295 GPH
2 powerheads for water movement 1 Koralia and another is a brand i cant read
Inert sandblasting sand w/root tabs
Pressurized Co2 @ 2.8 BPS per sec through a glass diffuser under a powerhead intake
50% waterchange weekly on sunday with 80% RO and 20% tap for micro minerals
Ph=6.5-6.8
Temp=78-80F
No3= 25-35 ppm
Co2 is about 30 ppm as I understand. The drop checker is light green so I would presume its close to good

Feed= spirulina and tubiflex worms
Flora=
Cryptocoryne undulata
Taxiphyllum barbieri
Lemna minor
Nesaea sp. ‘Red Leaved’
Hygrophila corymbosa ‘angustifolia’
Hygrophilia Kompacta
and a few others I cant find the names to

Fauna=
2 Tiretrack eels
3 Clown Loaches
3 neon tetra
7 cardinal tetra saved from a friends failing tank
10 rummynose tetra
2 bushey nose plecos
5 albino cats
1 Freshwater Flounder about the size of a dollar bill
and a few misc fish small like hastatas cats and otos
Fert schedule= was PPS pro – CSM but it’s currently in the process of shifting over to EI dosing schedule starting 5/2/11
micro nutes= flourish comp

Tank has been running for about 1.5 yrs maybe a little longer

Grand Prize (World Ranking No.1)
Title: Forest Scent
Name: Pavel Bautin
Country: RUSSIA

Aquarium Tank: W150×D50×H60（cm）

Aquatic Plants:
Eleocharis acicularis
Fantinalis antipyretica
Glossostigma elatinoides
Hemiantus caritrichoides ”Cuba”
Hemianthus micranthemoides
Hydrocotile leucocephala
Micranthemum umbrosum
Microsorium pteropus
Myriophillum elatinoides
Myriophillum matogrossense(Green)
Myriophillum pinnatum
Rotala nanjean
Rotala rotundifolia(Green)

Fish & Invertebrates:
Boraras maculata
Caridina japonica
Neocaridina denticulate

Evaluation: This year’s grand prize winner is from Russia with an innovative image of forest. 4 juries selected this layout as the best layout. The creator combined many different size straight woods, and expressed a perspective of the forest in a 150cm width aquarium. Myriophyllums planted in the back were closing their leaves due to the nyctinasty movement, as the picture might be taken during the evening, but this worked positive in this case and looked like needle leaf trees. It is regrettable not finding any fish inside, but the nature of forest was skillfully created and the creator’s idea was highly evaluated.

Gold Prize (World Ranking No.2)
Title: Loess plateau
Name: Zhang Jian Feng
Country: MACAU

Aquarium Size: W90×D45×H45（cm）

Aquatic Plants:
Rotala nanjean
Riccardia chamedryfolia

Fish & Invertebrates:
Trigonostigma espei
Caridina japonica

Evaluation: The gold prize winning layout sent from Macau had a strong color impact. Riccardia chamedryfolia was attached on red table rocks, and it attracted people’s attention. Mr. Zhang made use of those unique table rocks, and expressed a plateau. But all the rocks are leveled at the same height, and it is regrettable for lacking the power and natural feeling. The layout is themed on “Loess plateau.” It could have been better if the plants were arranged to express a wider landscape of plateau.

Silver Prize (World Ranking No.3)
Title: Colour of life
Name: Xuan Thuy Nguyen Thi
Country: VIETNAM

Aquarium Size: W120×D45×H40（cm）

Aquatic Plants:
Glossostigma elatinoides
Hemianthus micranthemoides
Limnophila sp. Vietnam
Marsilea hirsuta
Rotala rotundifolia sp.
Rotala sp. red
Echinodorus tenellus
Vesicularia sp.

Fish & Invertebrates:
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Otocinclus
Caridina japonica

Evaluation: The silver prize winner is from Vietnam, and the creator made a good arrangement of rocks and stemmed plants. The rocks are all in same texture, and unique, which make a good ambience in the layout. Stemmed plant trimming technique is also notable. However, we could not see much natural feeling in the layout, as all the elements were meticulously created, and the whiteness of cosmetic sand in the central part seems a bit artificial. The fish also does not match the layout. All these points may have downgraded assessment of this layout.

Silver Prize (World Ranking No.4)
Title: The view
Name: Yutaka Kanno
Country: JAPAN

Aquarium Size: W120×D45×H45（cm）

Aquatic Plants:
Fontinalis antipyretica
Vesicularia sp.
Amblystegiaceae sp.(from São Paulo)

Fish & Invertebrates:
Paracheirodon simulans
Caridina japonica
Neocaridina denticulata

Evaluation: Another Silver prize winner is from Japan. The layout looks like a piece of modern art, expressing a space in the cave with the dynamic arrangement of driftwood. Some kinds of Willow moss are used, but it gives too much of a monotone impression. The layout could have been completely different if the creator chose to express a different world by using red stemmed plants around the mouth of cave. It could make a visual effect as if we were looking at different outside world by sitting in the cave.

Bronze Prize (World Ranking No.5)
Title: Karst
Name: Zeng Qing Jun
Country: CHINA

Aquarium Size: W150×D60×H60（cm）

Aquatic Plants:
Fontinalis antipyretica
Pogostemon helferi
Glossostigma elatinoides

Fish & Invertebrates:
Paracheirodon axelrodi

Evaluation: The first Bronze prize winner is from China. The creator used unique shape stones and expressed famous karst landscape of “Guilin.” The moss attached on the stones look natural, but the plants in the foreground do not look nice. Many plants with different leaf shapes were planted in small amount, gave an impression of lacking unity. Those plants seem to be just planted and not grown yet. The layout may become disorganized when all those plants are fully grown. The pebble size in foreground seems too big, giving a rough impression to the layout.

Bronze Prize (World Ranking No.6)
Title: A day when walk on a jungle trail
Name: Chen I Sheng
Country: TAIWAN

Aquarium Size: W210×D60×H60（cm）

Aquatic Plants:
Riccardia chamedryfolia
Vesicularia sp.
Taxiphyllum barbieri
Fissidens fontanus
Pellia endiviaefolia
Hemianthus callitrichoides
Echinodorus quadricostatus
Sagittaria subulata
Glossostigma elatinoides
Eleocharis vivipara
Eleocharis sp.
Microsorium pteropus”WINDELOV”
Microsorium pteropus
Microsorium pteropus var.
Anubias barteri var.nana’Petite’
Anubias barteri var.nana
Bolbitis heudelottii
Vallisneria nana
Cryptocoryne beckettii
Cryptocoryne bullosa
Staurogyne sp.(from Rio Cristalino)
Riccia fluitans

Fish & Invertebrates:
Paracheirodon axelrodi
Carinotetraodon travancoricus
Crossocheilus reticulatus
Crossocheilus siamensis
Ancistrus sp.
Sturisoma panamense

Evaluation: Mr. Chen from Taiwan created a natural looking layout by using both driftwood and stones. The arrangement of shade plants such as ferns and mosses also contributed to make a good ambience of jungle. However, the base composition is not so clear, especially the right side seems roughly arranged. The open space on the right end is a big disadvantage as the joint part of the back corner appears clearly. The composition would have become clearer if this space were filled by layout materials or aquatic plants.

Bronze Prize (World Ranking No.7)
Title: Forest silent
Name: Grigoriy Polishchuk
Country: UKRAINE

Aquarium Size: W120×D50×H50（cm）

Aquatic Plants:
Cryptocoryne wendtii
Cryptocoryne beckettii
Cryptocoryne lutea
Vesicularia dubyana
Anubias barteri var.
Valisneria nana
Hemianthus micranthemoides
Echinodorus tenellus
Microsorum pteropus

Fish & Invertebrates:
Tanichthys albonubes
Otocinclus affinis
Caridina japonica
Neocaridina denticulata

Evaluation: A typical concave composition layout from Ukraine is selected for Bronze prize. Composition of the layout materials and balance of the whole layout were highly evaluated. When watched carefully, we can also see some problems in the layout. Anubias on the right side is too big, and looks unnatural. The arrangement of cryptocoryne in the middle-ground and Vallisneria in the back look nice, but they grew too thick. The cosmetic sand in the middle looks dirty. Creator’s ability to maintain the layout for a long period was evaluated, but its technique caused degrading.

World Ranking No.8
Into the green
Long Tran Hoang
VIETNAM

W155×D81×H50（cm）

This is a unique layout produced with characteristic shape stones tied with ferns and mosses. The left and right balance is good, and all the composition is organized well. But the white cosmetic sand seems unnaturally white. In order to enhance the natural look of stones, the cosmetic sand close to the natural color should have been used, or the foreground filled with aquatic plants.

World Ranking No.9
Infinite Wonder
K.P. Wong
HONG KONG

W120×D45×H45（cm）

The layout is composed with natural looking complex shape stones. The composition is excellent, and it gives us an impression of seeing a magnificent scenic place. However, using too many colors of aquatic plants was disadvantageous. Especially the bright red color stemmed plants do not match these stones. Mosses and Anubias were planted between the stones. This layout could have been better if planted only with green color plants.

World Ranking No.10
Whitehead Gap
Li Da Wei
CHINA

W120×D50×H50（cm）

Distinctive texture of stones and nicely trimmed stemmed plants are perfectly matching. The use of cosmetic sand in the foreground also improves the natural look. It is very regrettable thicket of stemmed plants in the background was not filled completely to the right end. The layout could be more natural if they were taller and had more inclination at both sides so that they cover the joint part of the aquarium.

World Ranking No.11
Drizzle
Wang Chao
CHINA

W120×D55×H50（cm）

The creator expressed a natural feeling well with stones, driftwood, cosmetic sand and mosses. The way stemmed plants in the background grow also looks natural. The overall impression and natural look is very positive, but the arrangement of driftwood, and their angles did not make a good impression. The layout could be different if driftwood angles were a bit lower as they seem too wide.

World Ranking No.12
Shou Stone Ridge
May Kwan
HONG KONG

W150×D50×H55（cm）

The layout was composed by meticulously arranging perforated rocks. It gives us an impression the creator took time for planting between the rocks, and composing the whole layout well. It is very regrettable the black joint part of the back corner appeared very clearly, which limits the spatial width. It is interesting layout, but this point became the subject of point loss.

World Ranking No.13
Mountain of Imagine
Chonladar Rattanawichien
THAILAND

W200×D40×H40（cm）

The creator combined several types of mosses, and made a layout with green contrasting density. But the composition is divided into two parts, and the left and right composition seem unconnected. It is not easy to make a good composition in panoramic size aquarium, but considering the whole composition is necessary for a high-quality layout. It could have been better if the creator limited the number of aquatic plants.

World Ranking No.14
Sado Story
Zheng Ren Chao
CHINA

W168×D60×H60（cm）

This is interesting design layout, recreating a natural cedar tree of Sado. Branches are impressively expressed, using slender curved driftwood. This central part should be the highlight of layout, but driftwood at both ends have thick trunks, causing the weak impact of the central tree. In order to make layout theme clear, creator could make the driftwood on the both ends slender, and emphasized the central tree.

World Ranking No.15
Memory Area
Quoc Hung Vu
VIETNAM

W120×D45×H40（cm）

The layout is composed well as iwagumi layout. The selection and arrangement of stones are very good, and the aquatic plants also match with the color of stone. The creator spread cosmetic sand like a flowing river, but it did not create a depth. The perspective could have been more emphasized if a larger stemmed plants thicket on the left side, and smaller thicket on the right.

World Ranking No.16
After a long time
Kazutaka Murase
JAPAN

W180×D60×H60（cm）

The creator expressed an impressive aquascape by combining the driftwood and stones. Mainly using mosses and ferns, he created a natural feeling well. But the layout is rough around the edges, especially at the open space on both upper parts. The selection of cosmetic sand in the foreground was right, but the color seems too white, and artificial. Soft beige color cosmetic sand could make the layout more natural.

World Ranking No.17
Rio Negro II -the inland of Igarape-
Koji Nakamura
JAPAN

W180×D80×H60（cm）

The driftwood with many slender branches is the theme of this layout. The selection and angle of driftwood are excellent, but the whole composition looks unbalanced. If the position of left and right driftwood were switched, the whole layout look stabilized. The selection of aquatic plants is good, but the layout could have become more perfect if the surroundings of driftwood were created more meticulously.

World Ranking No.18
Lofty Spirit
Chow Wai Sun
HONG KONG

W200×D66×H66（cm）

This is a dynamic impression layout, using monstrous shape driftwood. The creator attached mosses meticulously to the driftwood, and it draws attention instantly, but from the view of natural feeling, the curve line of driftwood is too steep. A large open space on the right made the whole layout looks unbalanced. The layout could be more organized if set up in a less wider aquarium tank.

World Ranking No.19
Whisper of Mountain – Rising to the Summit
Lin Ting Quan
TAIWAN

W127×D60×H50（cm）

The layout presented a natural canyon. The plant was meticulously arranged, but as a whole layout, it has some difficulties, because it is not clear where the gravity center is. The layout is roughly divided by 2:3 ratio, but the heaviest stone is located on the left side. The gravity center would become clear if the stone were placed on the right side.

World Ranking No.20
Vine
Gary Wu
HONG KONG

W152×D51×H58（cm）

The creator made a triangular composition layout by using normal driftwood and twiggy wood. The combination of unique shape driftwood, and natural aquatic plant arrangement made a good ambience in the layout. But the open space on the right seems too big, and the layout could be better if set in a shorter tank.

World Ranking No.21
Knot
Jiang Wei
CHINA

W130×D50×H55（cm）

The whole layout was meticulously created by arranging stones and mosses. The green moss color is vivid, and it matches well with soft color cosmetic sand. It is regrettable the layout is completely divided into two, and left and right layout seems unconnected. It could have been better if left and right layout were organized well by planting in the central part.

World Ranking No.22
Enchanted Forest
Michael G.W. Wong
HONG KONG

W120×D60×H60（cm）

The way of driftwood arrangement is new and interesting. The driftwoods on both left and right side look like roots and branches of the tree, but the one in the center seems floating due to the buoyancy. This driftwood in the center makes the whole layout unbalanced. It could have been better if the driftwood were shifted to the right, and laid to the ground.

World Ranking No.23
A Sheer Morning
Hironori Handa
JAPAN

W120×D45×H45（cm）

This is a well organized concave composition layout. The left and right balance is good, and the layout has a depth. The idea of combining stones and slender driftwood is excellent, but the use of pebbles in the central part broke the balance of layout. It could be better layout, if this central pebble part were filled with aquatic plants.

World Ranking No.24
Profound
Lee Do Jae
KOREA

W100×D50×H50（cm）

This layout was also meticulously created by combining stones and driftwood. The plants were carefully planted in details. However, the rock arrangement and the direction of driftwood were all disorganized, and the whole layout lost focus. The layout could be better if all these points were well organized.

World Ranking No.25
Green breeze in May
Junichi Itakura
JAPAN
W120×D45×H45（cm）

The natural look of stones and bright green color aquatic plants are well harmonized. Twiggy driftwood also became a good accent in the layout. Densely planted green stemmed plants around the stones match well with the rock arrangement, but the red stemmed plants gave impression of only growing halfway. The layout composition would have been clearer without them.

World Ranking No.26
Tree Crown
Takehiko Honoki
JAPAN
W120×D60×H45（cm）

This layout is organized well with a clear concave composition. The selection of driftwood and fish is excellent, however the left side was relatively heavy as the thick driftwood tip was exposed. Slender driftwood was also used on the right side, lying horizontally. But the layout balance becomes good if slender driftwood was placed more upright position, and the thick driftwood in lying position.

World Ranking No.27
Deep Green
Minako Hara
JAPAN
W180×D45×H45（cm）

This panoramic layout was composed by dynamically arranged driftwood. The driftwood shape is good, and the plant arrangement looks natural. Composition seems well organized, but the weight of driftwood seems unbalanced between left and right side. Usually the left side should be heavier, so the big driftwood on the right should have been placed on the opposite side.

Grand Prize
World Ranking #1
Nguyen Tien Dung
VIETNAM
Title: Moment in Time
Dimensions: W120 x D45 x H40 cm (W48 x D18 x H16 inches)
Aquatic Plants: Echinodorus tenellus, Fissidens fontanus, Taxiphyllum sp., Ludwigia brevipes, Cryptocoryne wendtii, Microsorum pteropus, Microsorum pteropus “Windelov”
Fish: Trigonostigma heteromorpha

Evaluation: The Grand Prize winning layout was selected by three judges as the best aquarium layout, reaching the top of 1342 applications, the most in contest history. In addition to layout skills, originality is required for the top prize, but this layout was produced with a high level of techniques based on standard layout composition without any eccentric style of expression. The composition had a left-to-right weight balance at a 3:2 ratio, and the use of good-looking driftwood made it well balanced and stable. The stemmed plants in the background were neatly trimmed and showed splendid coloring in clusters. Among many unpredictable style applications, this is a good example of a planted aquarium composed using the basic layout principle.

Gold Prize
World Ranking #2
Chan Shih Hsien
TAIWAN
Title: Magic Forest
Dimensions: W180 x D60 x H60 cm (W72 x D24 x H24 inches)

Aquatic Plants: Riccardia chamedryfolia, Vesicularia sp., Taxiphyllum barbieri, Vesicularia antipyretica, Microsorum pteropus “Windelov,” Bolbitis heudelotii, Eleocharis acicularis, Echinodorus tenellus, Glossostigma elatinoides, Cryptocoryne parva, Eleocharis sp., Vallisneria nana, Anubias barteri var. “nana” (petite), “marimo balls,” Microsorum pteropus, Fissidens fontanus, Hemianthus callitrichoides (Micranthemum umbrosum), Bolbitis sp.

Fish & Invertebrates: Paracheirodon axelrodi, Paracheirodon simulans, Carinotetraodon travancoricus, Crossocheilus siamensis, Caridina japonica, Neocaridina denticulata, Trigonostigma heteromorpha

Evaluation: It is quite an interesting idea to tie moss under driftwood stretching upward, and ferns on the tips. The unique foliage shape of Microsorum pteropus “Windelov” made it an especially good selection. However, it is difficult to maintain the size of Microsorum. This year we have seen many layouts using various moss and ferns like this one.

Silver Prize
World Ranking #3
Yuji Yoshinaga
JAPAN
Title: Time of Eternity (Yaku Island)
Dimensions: W90 x D45 x H45 cm (W36 x D18 x H18 inches)
Aquatic Plants: Hydrocotyle martima “Honda,” Hemianthus callitrichoides (Micranthemum umbrosum), Eleocharis sp., Fontinalis antipyretica
Fish & Invertebrates: Megalamphodus (Hyphessobrycon) sweglesi, Neocaridina denticulata

Evaluation: This is a layout with mountain scenery, and steep bedrock was skillfully recreated. Even though many elements were expressed in a confined space, details were neatly produced with various sizes of rocks, and Hemianthus callitrichoides beautifully filled the space between them. The stones raise the water hardness level a bit, but this plant grows well under such a condition. The overall impression is not like an aquascape but an image of a terrestrial landscape, and evaluation of judges was divided on this point.

Silver Prize
World Ranking #4
Josh Sim KH
MALAYSIA
Title: Awakening
Dimensions: W90 x D45 x H45 cm (W36 x D18 x H18 inches)
Aquatic Plants: Rotala rotundifolia, Rotala macrandra, Rotala sp., Vesicularia dubyana, Fissidens fontanus, Bolbitis heudelotii, Microsorum pteropus, Microsorum sp.
Fish & Invertebrates: Trigonostigma heteromorpha, Otocinclus sp., Caridina japonica

Evaluation: The use of straight driftwood is interesting. Judging from the overall impression, its creator probably paid more emphasis on perspective and on the natural feeling. Therefore, he intentionally used slim-size driftwood in the central part and emphasized the perspective. A passage leading to the back was produced by cosmetic sand in the middle, which also emphasized the effect. This layout has a problem in the selection of driftwood, as well as differences between the left and right side of the scenery, but its original layout composition seems to have led to a high appraisal from judges.

Bronze Prize
World Ranking #5
Wang Chao
CHINA
Title: Looking for Mystery
Dimensions: W120 x D55 x H50 cm (W42 x D22 x H20 inches)
Aquatic Plants: Eleocharis acicularis, Vesicularia montagne, Bolbitis heudelotii, Microsorum pteropus, Hemianthus callitrichoides
Fish: Hemigrammus ocellifer, Ancistrus sp., Crossocheilus siamensis

Evaluation: When producing an aquarium layout using stones and driftwood, it is normal to mainly use one material or the other to compose the layout. But in this case, the layout was composed using both stones and driftwood at the same strength and volume. This was the main reason for the originality of this work, and its strong and audacious composition attracted viewers. Fully grown Eleocharis acicularis in the background is holding together two different layout materials well.

Bronze Prize
World Ranking #6
Chow Wai Sun
HONG KONG
Title: Towering Peaks
Dimensions: W152 x D45 x H55 cm (W60 x D18 x H22 inches)
Aquatic Plants: Glossostigma elatinoides, Hydrocotyle martima, Limnophila sp. “Vietnam,” Rotala verticillaris, Fissidens fontanus, Fontinalis hypnoides
Fish & Invertebrates: Paracheirodon simulans, Otocinclus sp., Crossocheilus siamensis, Neocaridina sp.

Evaluation: From the texture and shape of the rocks, we see the creator’s high level of rock arrangement skills. By using several aquatic plants in combination, it produced slight variances and broke the monotony common to this type of layout. Many layouts with a mountain scene were found in this year’s contest, but this was the best and provided an excellent sense of layout.

Bronze Prize
World Ranking #7
Lin Tin Chuan
TAIWAN
Title: Forest-Breath
Dimensions: W127 x D60 x H50 cm (W50 x D24 x H20 inches)

Aquatic Plants: Riccardia chamedryfolia, Hygrophila polysperma, Fontinalis antipyretica, Vesicularia antipyretica, Bolbitis heudelotii, Microsorum pteropus “Windelov,” Eleocharis sp., Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides, Anubias barteri var. “nana,” Sagittaria subulata, Hemianthus callitrichoides, Myriophyllum mattogrossense, Microsorum sp., Nymphoides coreana, Pellia endiviifolia

Fish & Invertebrates: Hemigrammus bleheri, Trigonostigma espei, Carinotetraodon travancoricus, Ancistrus sp., Caridina japonica, Neocaridina denticulata

Evaluation: When looking at only the driftwood arrangement, there is a high center of gravity, but stability is still found in this layout. That is the biggest attraction of this work. The use of Microsorum sp. with long roots is interesting and produced a natural feeling. It seems that the natural feeling of a dense forest is the theme of this layout, judging from the overall impression and title. If so, the use of hybrid plants like Hygrophila polysperma should have been avoided.

World Ranking #8
Nguyenthi Xuanthuy
VIETNAM
Title: Ups and Downs
Dimensions: W120 x D45 x H40 cm (W48 x D18 x H16 inches)
Evaluation: The selection and arrangement of driftwood is excellent, and the creator recognizes the importance of composition. The balance of the whole layout is also excellent, and we can see the experienced aquascaper’s techniques.

World Ranking #9
Ngo Truong Thinh
VIETNAM
Title: Peaceful
Dimensions: W100 x D40 x H40 cm (W40 x D16 x H16 inches)
Evaluation: We see the creator’s high techniques in his rock arrangement and plant trimming. The layout could be better by replacing the cosmetic sand space with plants.

World Ranking #10
AJ Judy Prajitno Putra
INDONESIA
Title: Fearless: Spirit of the Rainforest
Dimensions: W300 x D80 x H75 cm (W120 x D32 x H30 inches)
Evaluation: The arrangement of driftwood is interesting, and this is an ambitious layout with the power of a large-size aquarium. But it is regrettable to see the roughness in the foreground substrate.

World Ranking #11
Hsu Yung Lin
TAIWAN
Title: Rain Forest
Dimensions: W127 x D60 x H60 cm (W50 x D24 x H24 inches)
Evaluation: We see dynamic power in the excellent use of driftwood, which is frequently found in layouts from Taiwan. But the image of stones does not match the driftwood, and it brings discomfort to the overall impression.

World Ranking #12
Yee Kin Cheong
MALAYSIA
Title: Forest Path
Dimensions: W90 x D45 x H45 cm (W36 x D18 x H18 inches)
Evaluation: The way the driftwood points to the top is interesting, and it is like seeing a scene of a different world. The vertical lines produced by driftwood and plants are the keys in this layout.

World Ranking #0013
Title: Treasure
Cliff Hui
HONG KONG
Dimensions : W100xD50xH50 (cm)

The big stone ambitiously placed in the left foreground decides the impression of this aquascape. But in reality, it was exaggerated by visual effects of extra-wide angle lens, and we encourage taking pictures with standard procedure in a normal situation.

World Ranking #0014
Title: The Phoenix and The Dragon
Wong Kam
HONG KONG
Dimensions : W150xD45xH52 (cm)

We see the aquascaperfs careful layout maintenance skills in excellent condition of Fissidens sp. attached on the driftwood. But it is not enough as a layout component. It is desirable to have an accent by stones or colorful plants.

World Ranking #0015
Title: Over the Blue
Tatsuo Harada
JAPAN
Dimensions : W120xD45xH45 (cm)

An iwagumi layout produced by well-studying the Nature Aquarium, and rock arrangement is very good. But it would be difficult to make a higher ranking without challenging an original layout style.

World Ranking #0016
Title: A Silent Morning
Zentaro Watanabe
JAPAN
Dimensions : W120xD30xH45 (cm)

We can feel the power of stones from the arrangement of stones. It became an original layout expression by combining stones ferns plants usually attached on the driftwood.

World Ranking #0017
Title: A Breezeway in the Valley
Eishi Yamamoto
JAPAN
Dimensions : W60xD30xH36 (cm)

Natural scenery was described by long-stretched twigs and ferns. More lively feeling could have been produced by having more volume of aquatic plants in the aquarium.

World Ranking #0018
Title: Roar of Yellow River
Zhang Jianfeng
MACAU

Horizontal lines in the middle part depict the flowing Yellow River. But it could have been better by replacing Riccia and Glossostigma, with cosmetic sand.

World Ranking #0019
Title: Mystique River
Yeo Siak Wee
MALAYSIA
Dimensions : W90xD45xH45 (cm)

A flow of water was described by white sand, and the layout was designed from a mountain stream as motif. It was produced with fussing over details; arrangement of stones along the river flow, for example, but the layout could be better by having more power in the layout design.

World Ranking #0020
Title: Wind from the South
Hidekazu Tsukiji
JAPAN
Dimensions : W120xD45xH45 (cm)

The selection of stones is excellent, and two main stones were arranged very well. But it could be better by taking balance of stones and trimming lines of stemmed plants.

World Ranking #0021
Title: Cloud
Hironori Handa
JAPAN
Dimensions : W90xD45xH45 (cm)

The combination of stones and aquatic plants is excellent, and their volume is overwhelming. The disadvantage is that the creator could not express the perspective perfectly while keeping it in mind.

World Ranking #0022
Title: Oriens et Occasus (East and West)
Pasquale Buonpane
ITALY
Dimensions : W160xD52xH60 (cm)

The iwagumi style itself is orthodox, but the creator arranged Fissidens sp. around the stones, and created a unique aquascape. It is regrettable the picture had a problem.

World Ranking #0023
Title: Swampland
Szymon Fiedorowicz
POLAND
Dimensions : W167xD37xH40 (cm)

It is natural to see weeds growing around the fallen tree, but it could be better by having another driftwood on the right side. The details should have been produced more carefully, including untouched both left and right corner.

World Ranking #0024
Title: Whispers of Stones
Nguyen Ngoc Tri Nhan
VIET NAM
Dimensions : W120xD45xH40 (cm)

The arrangement of stones is interesting, but the stemmed plants in background including Myriophyllum sp. do not match with stones. The picture was taken at the right moment when fish were in a central position.

World Ranking #0025
Title: The Lost Canyon
Artur Frankowski
POLAND
Dimensions : W130xD40xH40 (cm)

It is a good example of panoramic size tank layout, but it could be better by having a variation in height of stemmed plants in the right and left side.

World Ranking #0026
Title: Rainny Season on My Home
Jullawong Papunta
THAILAND
Dimensions : W90xD45xH45 (cm)

The creator selected small leaf stemmed plants and arranged a detailed composition. Therefore, he succeeded to create a much wider looking layout in a 90cm tank.

World Ranking #0027
Title: Mysterious Bermuda
Jamie Lin
TAIWAN
Dimensions : W120xD60xH55 (cm)

The creator used different sizes of trunk like layout material, and expressed perspective in the layout. It does not look natural, but it provides a wondering feeling of eyes drawn into in the back of the aquascape.