INTERNATIONAL AQUATIC PLANTS LAYOUT CONTEST 2008

Aqua Design Amano Co., Ltd. hosted the International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest 2008, and received 1,170 applications from 47 countries. The grand prize winner of the contest 2008 is Mr. Cheng Siu Wai of Hong Kong.

WORLD RANKING TOP 27

1	2	3
4	5	6
7	8	9
10	11	12
13	14	15
16	17	18
19	20	21
22	23	24
25	26	27

Comment from Takashi Amano

Thank you very much for again sending us all of your wonderful submissions to the International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest from all over the world this year. The total number of participant countries was not quite as diverse as last year's, however we received submissions from new participant countries this year. The number of participants totaled 1,170 submissions from 47 countries. Each year the quality of the submitted layouts increases and this year's submissions were no exception. Most notably submissions made by Asian aquarists from Hong Kong and Taiwan stood out in particular. This year and last year's winners were from Hong Kong exhibiting their passion and dedication to the hobby of aquatic plant layout. Just like last year, the top 112 layouts received exemplary marks from each judge. It can be seen that these high ranked layouts make skillful use of driftwood and stone in their arrangement. We can also say that the aquascapes recreating a natural aquatic scene within the layout were highly graded this year again. All of our judges are looking forward to the passionate submissions to next year's contest displaying wonderful aquascapes from all over the world.

INTERNATIONAL AQUATIC PLANTS LAYOUT CONTEST 2007

Aqua Design Amano Co., Ltd. hosted the International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest 2007, and had 1124 applications from 50 countries. Application from outside Japan exceeded Japanese applicants again. The grand prize winner of the contest 2007 is Mr. Chow Wai Sun of Hong Kong.

WORLD RANKING TOP 27

1	2	3
4	5	6
7	8	9
10	11	12
13	14	15
16	17	18
19	20	21
22	23	24
25	26	27

Comment from Takashi Amano

I deeply thank to all the entrants of the International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest 2007. Our contest hit 7th anniversary this year and accepted the largest volume of entries ever: the record-breaking 1,142 entries from 50 countries. Beginning this year, we released the TOP 100 finalist’ score on the ADA website. Did you check these scores yet? Just like in the previous contests, judges’ scores were split. But the layouts which equally received the higher scores from each judge won the higher rankings. The grand prize winning layout successfully fulfills the principle of Nature Aquarium; the aquascape is corresponding to a scene from nature and represents the “flows” dynamically in the tank. This is also an aquascape which enhances the beautiful views of swimming fish. Among the top prize winning works, many Iwagumi layouts occupied the higher rankings. Iwagumi, or the rock arrangement, does not allow creator’s cheap tricks, and rocks are the most challenging layout materials. I would say, from this year’s contest results, that “the one conquers the stones, rules the world”. It is so exciting to see the circle of planted aquarium hobbyists of the world will grow even bigger in the next contest, and I look forward to seeing your wonderful works, again. We will, together, expand the contest – the Olympic of the planted aquarium hobby!

Nature Aquarium: Complete Works 1985-2009

Nature Aquariums: Complete Works 1985-2009 takes you on a journey through over two decades of the most innovative and breathtaking designs from nature aquarium pioneer Takashi Amano. In this collection of works from the world-renowned aquarist, over 200 vibrant, full-color photos display the captivating beauty of nature aquariums while providing detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to create your own aquatic masterpiece. Along with expert advice on plant and fish selection, water chemistry, and maintenance, the author includes essays outlining aquarium aesthetics and his own personal design philosophies to inspire readers to create their own harmonious and tranquil nature aquarium designs.

A total 185 works by Takashi Amano from 1985 to 2009.
Takashi Amano's complete works, Glass no Naka No Daishizen (in Japanese) will be released on the end of December. This showcases a total of 185 works by Takashi Amano from 1985 to 2009. It includes many unreleased new works and his essays about nature and environment. It is highly recommended for Nature Aquarium hobbyists and nature lovers.

"Glass no Naka No Daishizen" TAKASHI AMANO NATURE AQUARIUM COMPLETE WORKS 1985-2009

• released on the end of December 2009

• All color 268 pages.
• Size: 279x250(mm)
• ISBN: 978-4-418-09238-3

Aquascape: A piece of Living Art

Time's go by, the sixth anniversary of Creative Aquascape Union is coming; we intentionally to publish this hard cover book to all aquascape hobbyists. Mr. Takashi Amano comment with a high grading and write a foreword message in our book to encourage us.

 

Takashi Amano mention in Aquascape's Foreword

"… I can say the layout level of CAU members is one of the best in the world…. the layouts from Hong Kong CAU members have become indispensable for our Contest. Aquarium hobbyists in the world were amazed by glorious achievement of Hong Kong people… I think I can find the reasons of Hong Kong CAU members’ high layout levels in their eyes of seeing the Mother Nature, and their dedication to the planted aquarium hobby. Not only the layout techniques, they also made a diligent study of photographing aquarium layouts. Their sincere attitudes are clearly seen in each and every layout in this booklet"

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 More Info

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- The only aquascape collection with high resolution image and close up view and over 60 best collection aquascape in the market. You would have chance to closer look at every detail of these creations.
- "Creativity", "Aesthetics","Setup Skill", "Timing", The new definition to interpret an aquascape creation that help you to explore the aquascape creation in a new way.
- 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2011 - AGA International Aquacaping Contest Best of the show, 2007 International Aquatic Plant Layout Contest Grand Prize and over 50 awards from all international contest, all are the creation from CAU core team, The aquascape contest result shows the passion from Creative Aquascape Union. All these can be finding in this book "Aquascape - A piece of living Art"

Specification:

- 27cm (W) X 21.6cm(H) Case Bound
- All page in color printing
- 232 pages
- English version

IAPLC2015 Upcoming Schedule

IAPLC 2015 reached its entry deadline on May 31. This year, record-breaking 2,545 entries were received from 69 countries and areas. We thank all the entrants for taking part in the contest!

＊The number of participating countries and areas reported to the entrants was revised. The correct number is "69" in total. Thank you.

This year’s contest will be carried out as follows:

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Mid-June 　Initial screening to select Top 100 works

Early to Mid-July　Evaluation by international judges

Late July　IAPLC 2015 final results

Early to Mid-August　Ranking announcement to individuals by post

August 30 　IAPLC 2015 Results broadcasted on USTREAM*

＊After the public announcement, contest prizes and certificates will be sent to the winners.

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The Nature Aquarium Party won’t be held, this year. IAPLC 2015 final results will be announced in the special USTREAM program. We will keep you posted on contest progress through the IAPLC official website.

The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest Steering Committee

IAPLC 2015 applications

Announcement of the total number of contest entries!

Launched in 2001, the International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest (IAPLC) celebrates its 15th Anniversary, this year. The numbers of contestants and participating countries are growing with each passing year, and now this year, we received record-breaking 2,545 entries from 69 countries and regions, which is a remarkable accomplishment highlighting the 15th IAPLC.

Currently, entries are going through the evaluation process conducted by the IAPLC judges. Each individual’s contest result is scheduled to be sent out by post in early to mid-August. The top finalists and the final result will be announced in a special USTREAM broadcasting program on Sunday, August 30.

Total number of entries for the IAPLC 2015

2,545 applications from 69 countries and areas.

Countries and Areas	Applications
Japan	661
China	498
India	354
Indonesia	131
Spain	95
Bangladesh	78
Brazil	46
Hungary	44
Italy	44
Taiwan	44
Malaysia	43
Poland	36
Germany	35
Hong Kong	33
Thailand	28
Portugal	27
France	25
Russia	23
Vietnam	21
Iran	20
Singapore	20
Turkey	20
Korea	19
Nepal	19
Mexico	17
Czech Republic	16
United States	13
Australia	10
Philippines	9
Ukraine	9
United Kingdom	9
Lithuania	8
Romania	8
South Africa	8
Morocco	7
Macau	6
Netherlands	5
Croatia	4
Reunion	4
Chile	3
Kazakhstan	3
Mauritius	3
Norway	3
Argentina	2
Austria	2
Belarus	2
Belgium	2
Bosnia-Hercegovina	2
Canada	2
Greece	2
Jordan	2
Serbia	2
Slovakia	2
Azerbaijan	1
Bulgaria	1
Cambodia	1
Denmark	1
Estonia	1
Ireland	1
Israel	1
Latvia	1
Macedonia	1
Moldova	1
Peru	1
Puerto Rico	1
Saudi Arabia	1
Sri Lanka	1
Sweden	1
Switzerland	1

International Aquatic Plants layout Contest 2015

International Aquatic Plants layout Contest 2015
Upcoming Schedule

IAPLC 2015 reached its entry deadline on May 31.  This year, record-breaking 2,545 entries were received from 68 countries and areas.  We thank all the entrants for taking part in the contest!

This year’s contest will be carried out as follows:

Mid-June                     Initial screening to select Top 100 works
Early to Mid-July          Evaluation by international judges
Late July                     IAPLC 2015 final results
Early to Mid-August      Ranking announcement to individuals by post 
August 30                   IAPLC 2015 Results broadcasted on USTREAM*
＊After the public announcement, contest prizes and certificates will be sent to the winners.

The Nature Aquarium Party won’t be held, this year.  IAPLC 2015 final results will be announced in the special USTREAM program.  We will keep you posted on contest progress through the IAPLC official website.

Barcelona Aquarium Meeting 2015

 Email de difusion y colaboracion para el evento Barcelona Aquarium Meeting:

"Apreciados amigos,

Os escribimos desde la Associació Aquariòfila de Barcelona (AAB), y os queremos informar del evento acuariófilo, el Barcelona Aquarium Meeting, que estamos preparando para los próximos 10-11 de Octubre en Barcelona.

La filosofía será la misma que en anteriores ediciones. Se trata de una Feria donde la AAB organizará una serie de exposiciones y actividades para darle la máxima relevancia, y paralelamente habrá presencia de stands comerciales para tiendas especializadas con venta directa al público, así como elementos publicitarios para las marcas patrocinadoras. El proyecto inicial incluye, entre otros, un concurso in-situ de acuapaisajismo junto a un workshop impartido por algún paisajista de prestigio; un concurso o muestra de Discus; un concurso o muestra de Betta splendens; una muestra de gambas; un concurso-exposición de fotografía; y una zona de exposición de biótopos del mundo.  Paralelamente se realizará un ciclo de conferencias así como talleres de iniciación al montaje de acuarios.

Es para nosotros un placer invitaros a participar en el evento, y esperamos que pueda ser de vuestro interés.

Os enviamos el primer borrador del proyecto  entendiendo que esta es una previsión inicial, todavía por confirmar actividad por actividad (solicitar por email). La intención es recabar apoyo suficiente de marcas, distribuidores y grupos de aficionados para poder desarrollar cuantas más actividades sea posible.

Para mas info en la web de la Asociacion o al email: aab@aquariofilabcn.org

Así mismo tened en cuenta que es un proyecto completamente abierto, en el que os emplazamos a sugerirnos cambios, nuevas propuestas, actividades, conferenciantes, o formas de colaboración que puedan encajar mejor con vuestra disponibilidad y posibilidades. No dudéis en contactar con nosotros para aclarar cualquier cuestión ¡Estamos convencidos que entre todos conseguiremos un gran éxito juntos!

Esperando tener noticias vuestras, os saludamos cordialmente.

Jaume Capell

Presidente de la AAB"