IAPLC Competition Entry Preparation Guide: Photo, Scape, Submission

The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest, run annually by ADA since 2001, is the single most recognised aquascaping competition in the world. Entrants submit a top-down-lit photograph of a planted tank alongside a description, judged on composition, plant health, and layout maturity by a panel including Takashi Amano’s successors and invited aquascapers. This iaplc competition entry preparation guide from Gensou Aquascaping in Singapore walks through the planning timeline, photography requirements, and submission practicalities so a first entry is technically admissible rather than disqualified on formatting. The chance of a world ranking only matters if the file meets spec.

Quick Facts

• Run annually by ADA (Aqua Design Amano) in Niigata, Japan since 2001
• Entry period: typically May-June each year; confirm current dates on IAPLC website
• Entry fee: free for individuals
• Single high-resolution photograph, minimum 3MB, 300 dpi, specific aspect ratio
• Description text in English, limited characters, stating concept and plant list
• Judging criteria: layout composition, impression, plant cultivation, originality
• Plan scape 6-9 months in advance so the tank peaks at submission photo time

Planning the Scape Timeline

A competition scape needs to peak on a specific week, not whenever the plants happen to look good. Counting back from the submission deadline, most scapers set up the hardscape 4-6 months ahead, fill with dry start or planted 3-4 months ahead, and conduct final trims in the final two weeks. Fast growers such as Rotala rotundifolia recover quickly from trim; slow foreground carpets such as Monte Carlo or HC cuba need longer lead time.

Build buffer weeks for algae setbacks. A tank that hit an ammonia spike in month two can still hit the deadline if the plan had slack built in.

Composition Principles Judges Reward

IAPLC scapes consistently reflect nature-style conventions — strong focal points using the rule of thirds, visual depth from foreground-midground-background transitions, and a sense of perspective created by graduated leaf sizes. Iwagumi layouts place rocks with a dominant Oyaishi supported by Fukuseki and Soeishi stones. Forest scapes lean on driftwood and tree-like arrangements for vertical interest.

Study past top-100 entries on the IAPLC annual book. The patterns repeat: negative space in the water column, clean foreground sightlines, and species chosen for scale rather than novelty.

Photography: Lighting and Equipment

Top-down diffused lighting across the full tank avoids hotspots. Many competitive scapers use two or three strong LED lights positioned above a diffuser cloth for the final photo. A DSLR or mirrorless camera with a 24-70mm or prime lens on a tripod, shot at ISO 100, aperture f/8 for depth of field, and a low shutter speed matched to exposure, produces cleaner images than any phone camera.

Clean the glass inside and out before shooting. Polishing cream and a microfibre cloth clear the final water spots. Turn filters off for 15 minutes to settle particulate, then shoot.

Image Specifications

The IAPLC submission system requires a single JPEG, 300 dpi, minimum 3MB file size, with specific pixel dimensions that ADA updates annually. Check the current year’s rulebook on the IAPLC website before exporting. Any deviation from the aspect ratio gets the entry rejected without review. Back up the RAW file even after submission — winners are sometimes asked for higher resolution for the annual book.

Minimal editing is permitted. Colour correction and dust removal are acceptable; adding plants in post-production disqualifies the entry if detected.

Writing the Description

The description is limited to roughly 500 characters in English. Name the concept (e.g., “Valley at Dawn”), list dominant plants and hardscape materials, and mention the inspiration briefly. Keep it factual. Judges read hundreds of entries and prefer clarity over poetic language. Include tank dimensions and equipment only if the rules ask for them that year.

Submission and After

Submit through the IAPLC online portal before the deadline. Results are announced at Tokyo Aquashop events later in the year, with a global ranking from 1 to several thousand. Singapore-based entrants post their scapes consistently in the top 1000, occasionally cracking the top 100. The annual book lists every valid entry with photo and rank.

After the Contest

Many scapers break down the tank immediately after the photo, since maintaining a peak-photo state long-term is impractical. Others let the scape mature further for local competitions or social documentation. Whatever happens next, keep the RAW photograph and notes from the build — they form a portfolio entry for Aquatic Gardeners Association contests, regional events, or a future IAPLC return.

Getting Support Locally

Aquascaping friends who have entered before offer honest critique before submission. Local shops sometimes host photo sessions or lend competition-grade lighting rigs. Talking through a layout with someone experienced catches compositional weaknesses that are hard to see after months of staring at the same tank.

Related Reading

Aquascaping Competition Guide
IAPLC Aquascaping Competition Guide
AGA Aquascaping Contest Guide
Aquascape Competition Preparation Guide
Nature Aquascape Maintenance Takashi Amano