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And this is also something where there is contention with traditionalists, who do often make the easy and inaccurate assumption that abiding by Amano’s methods makes one more aligned with his ethos— which isn’t true, or at least isn’t the whole truth. The Amano I first met was extremely...

If you’re really making the above argument, it means— “I’m fine with the IAPLC’s direction, it’s works, it’s evolution. The layouts are fantastic each year, but I don’t like the naming of this one category and the rubric is hard to understand.” If that’s really your argument (not my impression...

You can tap on a truth of nature's beauty without being literal. You can get into a fish's mindset, you can consider poetically, what is beautiful about the different faces of nature-- whether that is seeing from under a overhang from a fish's perspective, or the dignity of trees reflected on a...

Not at all. This comes back to whether the aim is to perfectly re-create nature, or to present/capture the beauty of nature in art. I believe Nature Aquarium has always been about the later, despite ADA's phrasing (which I also critiqued). I agree they shouldn't use the phrase "re-creation"...

Great questions! Yes, I was aware of the logical fallacy there-- and it's not the only one. For instance, you're not going to have trees underwater; or why is there a water surface above (it's an aquarium, we're under water) and a water surface below (the mirrors). Two water surfaces! One...

Thank you— my aim is to win next year. Once again, just as in this year and every year— Habitat for Fish and Sense of Nature and passionate research will be first and foremost in my strategy.

I disagree. I don’t think ADA risks anything that you say it risks. Also diorama doesn’t need it’s own category, and they’re inseparable anyway with lots of room for exploring hybridization. The diorama scapes are often superior to the NA style ones in the habitat and nature sense categories...

I think if you read my earlier post, I mostly disagree— about the categories, and how suited the diorama style is to the categories. I do think ADA could be more clear on what they mean by “Natural Habitat for Fish,” but those who do understand it deal with it well. The “what kind of entries it...

Also on the main topic, it’s very sad about what Albert decided to do. It’s dishonest and a tragedy for scaping. To add my own take— looking at the photoshopped version, and his work in progress scape— it’s clear he currently still lacks the technique and size sense to actually create this...

It's interesting, because from this end the rubric feels objective-- it's definitely in effect. And the top aquascapers that consistently get results, see success because they definitely have a sense for the different parts of it. The two categories in question, “Recreation of a natural habitat...

Hey guys! Thanks for the feedback. I too can't believe things when I see the prices here... flips my mind. I will be getting my visa soon, so hopefully I'll get another chance to parooze HK's even more insane market again. All you folks from the UK should visit Hong Kong some day-- it's a...

Hey guys, just set up the 40cm that until now had been sitting outside on my washing machine (DSU). Quick pic from my phone: More later when I find time to look through the photos I took with my camera of the set up (easy set up though)

Glad you guys enjoy the pictures! @Phil-- Good to see you! I don't have a lot more pictures unfortunately; I try not to take the photos too candidly since many stores/shops refuse photos. I don't have my DSLR out there blazing in other words-- got to be sneaky with my iphone you see...

你好！　(Ni Hao! Hello!) Hi guys-- friends of old and aquarium enthusiasts I've yet to meet. My name is Steven Chong, and I'd like to share with you all my newest layout I've been working on since I got to China in September. First, I'll say that the fish market here in Guangzhou is incredible--...

Since I'm coming close to my move back to hawaii (tear down of the tank), some last photos:

Re: ADA Mini M (Inspiration from Japan, Rocks from Hong Kong I couldn't get the stems to grow as I wanted, but I'm not going to be able to improve on this before I move back to hawaii, so here it is:

Assuming the box is the same size as the target tank, I'd say you have some issues with size of hardscape v. size of the tank. Especially with Iwagumi, if you don't have a large enough stone to take the position of "main stone," or at least hold a strong presence, you'll end up with a weak...

Prevent (lol prevent): -Substrate/Filter's actually quite "old" (been through a LOT of layouts) so that's one advantage. -Cheap amano shrimp here in Japan... -SAE's But the REAL cure: -An ADA razor -A tooth brush -A wire tipped brush (For rocks~~ this DESTROYS hard algae growth like nothing...

picture update (filling in quickly~!) I cut away a devoted area in front for the glosso, and trimmed everything (including the massive vivipara growth) after the photos.

Re: ADA Mini M (Inspiration from Japan, Rocks from Hong Kong Hmm... Well, I kind of had an idea for what kind of layouts were possible when I played with the rocks in the store before buying them... Rather than "try lots of different combinations," it was more like a "slowly look at it again...

About 2-3 years ago, some relatives of mine in Chiba Prefecture (Japan) took me to a place called ???? (You-Rou-Kei-Koku). While Chiba isn't a prefecture known for sight seeing nor scenery, I definitely enjoyed myself, and was impressed. What impressed me in particular were the shape and...

wow, looks like quite the impressive hardscape Tom! :O

it could definitely be that similar stones could form in different area-- but if so, I have yet to see/hear about a source for a similar looking rock.

The rock is called Mushikui ??? (bug eaten) The name comes from the unique indentations found on the rock: It is a rock native exclusively to mount Hakkai in Niigata prefecture of Japan... you can't find it in bonsai stores... or almost any store... throughout Japan, and even inside the...

To be honest John, I don't really have experience with them in a community tank, and have always had my doubts about them... but after seeing them appear (without any obvious problems) in big display tanks in Hong Kong and Japanese stores, I decided I'd give them a shot-- be sure I'll be keeping...

Thanks for the comments and greetings all, Tom and John :D It feels good to be posting about a tank George. :D I added some more fish (of both species, as well as some SAE's and 2 pea puffers for my snails :x ) I think in the last pic you can really see what I'm going for in the fish...

Been a long time I posted... like... a LONG time... how's everyone? So, this is an iwagumi layout I started about 2 weeks ago using Mushikui (Hakkai mountain's rocks), which I've slowly collected while living in Niigata Japan as an English teacher. Nothing randical, but I thought "when...

Re: saintly's MA potentialy low light IWAGUMI Sorry dude, still feel this tank wishes it was 15cm shorter :/ Excellent Hardscape design though

First off, as for my own tank (and future project I guess . . .) honestly I am not intending to set it up immediately, probably sometime around September-October due to some real-life plans. I'll be sure to make a journal when I do though. Mark-- I have also been thinking that the tank has to...

So, today I treated myself to a new aquarium. I recently moved, and decided to leave my 60-P with a friend in case I ever moved back-- but I brought all the equipment for the tank with me. Looking in the shop, I thought why not try something different? Stand, filter, lights, everything-- I...

Thanks all :) Tom, ironically I'd have to say that the marine scene in Hawaii wouldn't interest most serious hobbyists-- because you can't grow any corals in your tank! We are not allowed to import live corals, as they are a threat to native species, but we also cannot take live specimens...

Thanks ceg-- as you can see better in the top photo, there's a pretty sturdy base of rocks built into the slope to hold things together. The tank's proportions are also condusive to being able to maintain a slope, as there's a lot of proportional depth (so the slope is very gradual instead of...

Full list of fauna: -Peacock Goby -Bumblebee Goby -Otocinclus -Neocaridina denticulata Pompeyfan-- I'm sure the gobies will pester the shrimp, certainly eat the small and babies of the group-- but I'm ok with that. The shrimp is Neocaridina denticulata, or Cherry Shrimp (but these are the...

So I actually started this tank out a bit over a month back. Here are some photos after it had just been set up: As you can see, it's not a typical tank shape. Measurements are 30 x 20 x 30. If you want to show off mid-ground structures and bottom feeders, have a super deep tank. :D 37...

I love it! Somehow I find myself wishing you could slice off the top 5cm of the tank though. The wood positioning is fantastic though. What are those cool snails in there?

LondonDragon-- Yeah, you're probably right. Maybe I'll hide the image after a few days then, or after this thread dies. Stuworrall-- I live in Hawaii, and we've got strict regulations about animal imports, especially inverts. Though, it's kind of funny because the streams are already so...

Thanks all! Scoley-- yeah, I don't have a flash unit, so I got to go with a higher shutter speed to get the fish to not look like just a blur. The result is that I lose some focus/detail in the photo. :/ The shrimp are Atyoida Bisculata or "Opae Kala'ole" in Hawaiian, and it is a native...

Just looks like Java moss to me-- it can definitely grow in that shape. People don't seem to understand these days that Java moss is a very attractive plant. :(

I have entered, and actually will be going to the party itself. After graduating from college this last spring, I decided to myself that I finally have the time to go so I'm going! I hope to see some of you there-- that would be a treat. I've only ever met George when I had a chance to make a...

Hi all, this is my first post here at UKAPS forum. Some of you folks I know, many I don't. Hope to be hanging around here a bit. For your viewing pleasure, here are some photos from my ADA entry this year. Enjoy By the way-- I will be going to Nature Aquarium Party Tokyo this year, and hope...