Aquascaping Competition Guide: How to Enter and Win

Table of Contents

• Major Aquascaping Competitions
• How to Enter
• Judging Criteria
• Timeline: Setup to Submission
• Photography Tips for Competition
• Common Judging Deductions
• Why Competing Makes You Better
• The Singapore Aquascaping Scene
• Frequently Asked Questions

Major Aquascaping Competitions

IAPLC (International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest)

The IAPLC is the most prestigious aquascaping competition in the world, founded by the legendary Takashi Amano and organised by Aqua Design Amano (ADA). Running annually since 2001, it attracts thousands of entries from over 60 countries. The competition is judged by a panel of world-renowned aquascapers and industry figures, and the top entries are displayed at lavish awards ceremonies in Japan.

The IAPLC is a single-photograph competition — your entire aquascape is represented by one image. This makes both the aquascape and the photography critically important. Results are typically announced mid-year, with the entry period opening in the first quarter. Entry is free, which makes it accessible to hobbyists at every level.

AGA Aquascaping Contest

The Aquatic Gardeners Association (AGA) contest is the longest-running aquascaping competition, based in the United States but open internationally. Unlike IAPLC, the AGA contest allows multiple photographs and categorises entries by tank size and style (biotope, Dutch, nature aquarium, paludarium). This multi-image format lets judges assess the tank from different angles and see detail that a single photograph might miss.

CIPS Aquascaping Contest

Organised in conjunction with the China International Pet Show (CIPS), this competition has grown rapidly and attracts particularly strong entries from Asian aquascapers. It has become one of the top-tier competitions alongside IAPLC and features live aquascaping demonstrations and workshops at the event.

Other International Competitions

• CAU (Creative Aquascape Union) — A newer competition based in Asia with a growing international following
• BADC (Biotope Aquarium Design Contest) — Focused specifically on biotope accuracy rather than aquascaping aesthetics
• Florestas Submersas — A Portuguese competition with a strong emphasis on nature-style aquascaping
• AAC (Asia Aquascaping Contest) — A regional competition popular among Asian hobbyists

Local Singapore Competitions

Singapore has an active aquascaping community that organises periodic competitions and events. Local aquarium clubs and shops occasionally host contests, often timed to coincide with national events or trade shows. These smaller competitions are excellent stepping stones for hobbyists who want to test their skills before entering international contests. The Singapore aquascaping community is well-connected through social media groups and forums where competition announcements are shared.

How to Enter

Most aquascaping competitions follow a similar entry process:

1. Register online — Visit the competition’s official website during the entry period. Registration typically requires your name, country and email address. Most competitions are free to enter.
2. Prepare your aquascape — Set up, plant and maintain your aquascape months in advance of the submission deadline. The tank must be fully mature, lush and healthy at the time of photography.
3. Photograph your tank — Take a high-resolution photograph (or photographs, depending on the competition) that showcases your aquascape at its best. This is where many hobbyists underestimate the effort required.
4. Submit your entry — Upload your photograph(s) through the competition website, along with any required information (tank dimensions, species list, equipment used, description). Some competitions require a separate “behind the scenes” photograph showing the tank from a distance, proving it is a real working aquarium.
5. Wait for results — Judging typically takes several weeks to months. Results are announced online, at events or in publications.

The IAPLC typically opens registration around January-February and closes submissions around May-June each year. Check the official ADA website for exact dates, as the schedule can vary.

Judging Criteria

While each competition has its own specific scoring system, most evaluate entries on the following criteria:

What Distinguishes Top Entries

The difference between a good entry and a winning entry often comes down to three things: depth, detail and cohesion. Top aquascapes create a convincing sense of three-dimensional depth through forced perspective (small-leaved plants in the back, larger in the front), carefully graded substrate slopes and strategic hardscape placement. Detail work — the transitions between zones, the mosses on wood, the subtle colour gradients — is impeccable. And every element works together to serve a single, coherent vision.

Timeline: Setup to Submission

Building a competition-worthy aquascape is not a weekend project. It requires months of planning, growing and refining.

Most serious competitors time their setup so that the aquascape reaches peak maturity exactly at submission time. Starting too early risks the scape becoming overgrown or declining; starting too late means the plants have not fully filled in.

Photography Tips for Competition

In a single-photograph competition like the IAPLC, your photography can make or break your entry. A stunning aquascape captured with a poor photograph will lose to a good aquascape captured beautifully.

Equipment

• Camera — A DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual settings is ideal. A quality smartphone camera can work for smaller competitions but is generally insufficient for top-tier entries.
• Tripod — Essential. You need a perfectly level, stable shot. Any tilt or movement will be visible.
• Lens — A 50mm or 35mm prime lens provides sharp, distortion-free images. Avoid wide-angle lenses, which create barrel distortion at the edges.

Preparation

1. Perform a large water change (50-70%) the day before to ensure crystal-clear water.
2. Clean the front glass meticulously — inside and outside. Any water spots, algae or smudges will show in the photograph.
3. Remove all visible equipment — heaters, thermometers, CO2 diffusers, airline tubing. Everything must be invisible. Some hobbyists temporarily remove filter inlet/outlet pipes and shoot quickly before the water becomes stagnant.
4. Position fish — Feed the fish at the area where you want them to school. Some hobbyists use feeding rings to encourage fish to gather in a specific zone.
5. Turn off all room lights — Only the aquarium light should be on. This prevents reflections on the glass.

Shooting

• Shoot dead centre — The camera should be positioned exactly at the centre of the front glass, at mid-height of the tank.
• Use a low ISO (100-400) for minimal noise and maximum sharpness.
• Use a narrow aperture (f/8 to f/11) for maximum depth of field — everything from front glass to rear glass should be sharp.
• Use a timer or remote shutter to avoid camera shake.
• Take many shots — Fish move constantly. Take 50-100 photographs and select the one where the fish are in the most attractive positions.

Common Judging Deductions

Avoid these mistakes that frequently cost competitors points:

• Visible equipment — Any visible heater, thermometer, airline tubing, diffuser, or filter pipe results in immediate point deductions.
• Algae — Even minor algae on hardscape, plants or glass suggests poor maintenance or immature conditions.
• Dead or yellowing plants — All plants must appear healthy and vibrant. Remove any declining leaves or stems before photographing.
• Unnatural fish behaviour — Fish gasping at the surface, hiding, or swimming erratically suggests stress. Judges notice.
• Waterline visible — The water surface should be above the top edge of the photograph. A visible waterline looks unfinished.
• Glass reflections — Reflections of cameras, tripods, room lights or the photographer in the glass are disqualifying in some competitions.
• Unnatural substrate lines — Visible boundaries between different substrates or unnaturally sharp substrate slopes look artificial.
• Overcrowding — Too many fish species or excessive numbers detract from the aquascape and suggest a “pet shop” mentality rather than a design approach.

Why Competing Makes You Better

Entering an aquascaping competition — even if you do not place anywhere near the top — accelerates your growth as an aquascaper in several ways:

• It forces a deadline — Without a submission date, it is easy to perpetually tinker and never finish. A competition date forces you to commit to a design, execute it, and declare it complete.
• You study the winners — Reviewing winning entries (IAPLC publishes an annual book of top entries) teaches you what works at the highest level. You begin to see patterns in composition, plant selection and technique that you can incorporate into your own work.
• You receive feedback — Some competitions provide judge scores and comments. Even without formal feedback, comparing your entry to those ranked above and below you reveals what you did well and where you fell short.
• You join a community — Competition forums, social media groups and local clubs connect you with aquascapers who push you to improve. The aquascaping community is remarkably generous with advice and encouragement.
• Photography skills improve — The process of learning to photograph your aquascape properly is valuable in itself. These skills translate to every tank you set up afterward.
• You develop patience and discipline — Growing a competition-quality aquascape over 3-6 months teaches a kind of sustained attention and care that benefits every aspect of the hobby.

The Singapore Aquascaping Scene

Singapore punches above its weight in the international aquascaping community. The city-state has produced IAPLC-ranked aquascapers and has a passionate hobbyist community that regularly shares work, organises meetups and supports one another’s projects.

Advantages of competing from Singapore include:

• Access to quality materials — Singapore has a well-developed aquarium trade with access to premium hardscape, plants and equipment from Japan, Europe and across Asia.
• Year-round growing conditions — The consistent tropical climate (28-32°C) means no seasonal temperature fluctuations to manage. Plants grow vigorously all year.
• Active community — Local groups, forums and shops provide a support network that is invaluable when preparing a competition entry.
• Proximity to Asian competitions — CIPS, AAC and other Asian competitions are relatively accessible from Singapore, and some offer in-person attendance options.

If you are considering entering your first competition, start with a local or regional contest. The experience will teach you more about aquascaping in a few months than years of casual fishkeeping. And you might surprise yourself with the results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an expensive tank and equipment to compete?

No. Many winning entries use mid-range equipment. What matters is the aquascape itself — the composition, plant health, creativity and photography. A well-executed aquascape in a standard 60cm tank with basic equipment will outperform a mediocre layout in a premium tank every time. Start with what you have and focus your investment on quality hardscape and plants.

What tank size is best for competition?

The most common competition tank size is 60-120cm. Smaller tanks (30-45cm) can be entered but are harder to create depth and scale in. Larger tanks (120cm+) produce dramatic results but require significantly more investment in time, plants and equipment. For a first entry, a 60cm or 90cm tank is a manageable and effective choice.

Can I enter the same aquascape in multiple competitions?

Check the rules of each competition. Some contests (notably IAPLC) require that entries have not been submitted to other competitions. Others have no such restriction. If you plan to enter multiple competitions, either verify the rules carefully or prepare separate aquascapes for each.

How much does it cost to prepare a competition aquascape?

In Singapore, a competition-quality aquascape in a 60cm tank typically costs SGD 800-2,000 for tank, equipment, hardscape, plants and consumables. A 90cm setup runs SGD 1,500-3,500, and a 120cm setup SGD 2,000-5,000 or more. The largest expense categories are usually lighting, filtration and plants. Entry to most competitions is free, so the cost is in the preparation, not the submission.

Whether you are a first-time entrant or aiming for an IAPLC ranking, we are here to help. Visit us at 5 Everton Park for hardscape selection, plant sourcing and advice from our team of experienced aquascapers. We have been part of Singapore’s aquascaping community for over 20 years.

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