IAPLC Competition Guide: How to Enter and Score Well

The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest, better known as IAPLC, is the most prestigious aquascaping competition in the world. This IAPLC aquascaping competition guide from Gensou Aquascaping at 5 Everton Park, Singapore covers everything from registration to photography, helping you submit an entry that truly represents your best work. With over 20 years in the craft, we have followed the contest since its early editions and understand what elevates an entry above the thousands submitted each year.

What Is the IAPLC

Founded by Takashi Amano and organised by Aqua Design Amano (ADA), the IAPLC has run annually since 2001. Entrants submit a single photograph of a planted aquarium layout. A panel of international judges scores each entry, and the top 100 are showcased at an awards ceremony in Japan. The contest regularly attracts over 2,000 entries from more than 60 countries, making the competition fierce but the exposure invaluable.

Entry Requirements and Rules

Registration opens online each year, typically from January through May, via the ADA website. Entry is free. You submit one high-resolution photograph of your aquascape along with details of tank dimensions, plant species, fish species and equipment used. The tank must be a glass or acrylic aquarium; paludariums and terrariums are not eligible. No digital manipulation beyond basic colour correction and cropping is permitted. ADA scrutinises images for signs of compositing, and disqualified entries are publicly noted.

Planning Your Layout for Competition

Winning entries share certain traits: a clear focal point, a strong sense of depth, and meticulous plant health. Begin planning your contest layout at least six to eight months before the submission deadline. This gives stem plants time to fill in densely, mosses time to attach to hardscape, and foreground carpets time to mature without gaps. Rush a layout and the photograph will betray it.

Nature aquarium style and diorama style dominate the top ranks. Both demand realistic perspective and scale. Using fine-textured plants in the background and progressively larger-leaved species in the foreground enhances the illusion of distance.

Hardscape Selection and Placement

Judges look for hardscape that appears as though it belongs in a natural setting. Seiryu stone, Ohko (dragon) stone and horn wood are popular choices. Whatever material you select, use pieces from the same batch so colour and texture are consistent. Arrange the main stone or branch along the golden ratio line, roughly one-third from either side of the tank, and ensure subsidiary pieces support the composition rather than competing with it.

Photography Tips

Your photograph is your entry. Shoot with a DSLR or mirrorless camera on a tripod, using a focal length of 50-85 mm to minimise barrel distortion. Turn off all room lights and rely solely on the tank’s lighting to avoid reflections. Clean the glass meticulously; even a faint algae film or fingerprint will show at full resolution. Shoot during the first hour of the light cycle, when fish are active and CO2-driven pearling adds sparkle to the scene.

Set the aperture to f/8 or narrower for edge-to-edge sharpness. Use a remote shutter release or timer to eliminate camera shake.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overcrowding the tank with too many plant species dilutes the visual message. Judges favour cohesion over variety. Leaving visible equipment, heater cables, filter pipes or thermometers in the shot costs points immediately. Neglecting fish selection is another frequent error; choose schooling species whose colour complements the scape rather than overshadowing it. Paracheirodon innesi (neon tetra) and Hyphessobrycon amandae (ember tetra) are perennial favourites for their subtle, elegant presence.

Singapore-Specific Advantages

Our warm, humid climate supports fast plant growth year-round, giving Singapore-based entrants more growing cycles per year than hobbyists in temperate countries. Local shops in the Serangoon North area and C328 Clementi stock a wide range of ADA substrates, fertilisers and hardscape. Regional aquascaping communities on Facebook and Telegram provide feedback and support during the months-long preparation process.

After Submission

Results are announced at the IAPLC awards party, usually in October or November in Niigata, Japan. Rankings are also published online. Regardless of placement, entering the IAPLC pushes your skills forward and connects you with a global community of passionate aquascapers. Start planning your next entry the moment results are released, and let each year’s lessons shape a stronger layout.

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