AGA Aquascaping Contest Guide: Categories, Rules and Judging Criteria

While the IAPLC dominates headlines, the Aquatic Gardeners Association contest offers a distinctly different competitive experience with multiple categories and detailed judge feedback. This AGA aquascaping contest guide from Gensou Aquascaping at 5 Everton Park, Singapore breaks down the structure, rules and scoring system so you can enter with a clear strategy. Our team has followed and participated in aquascaping competitions for over 20 years, and the AGA remains one of the most educational contests available to hobbyists worldwide.

About the AGA Contest

The Aquatic Gardeners Association, based in the United States, has run its annual aquascaping contest since 2000. Unlike single-image contests, the AGA accepts entries across multiple tank size categories and style categories, giving hobbyists with nano tanks the same competitive footing as those maintaining 180 cm showpieces. Entry is free and open to participants from any country, making it accessible to Singapore-based aquascapers.

Categories and Tank Sizes

Entries are divided by tank volume: under 28 litres, 28-112 litres, 112-225 litres, 225-340 litres, and over 340 litres. Within each size bracket, you may enter one of several style categories including aquatic garden, Dutch style, nature aquarium, biotope, paludarium and wabi-kusa. Choosing the right category matters. A layout judged as a nature aquarium will be evaluated against different aesthetic standards than a Dutch planted tank.

Entry Requirements

You submit multiple photographs: a full front shot, a top-down view and optional detail images. This multi-angle requirement means your layout must look polished from several perspectives, not just the single hero shot common in other contests. Include a plant species list, fish species list, tank dimensions and a brief description of your approach. Submissions open online each year, typically between August and November.

How Judging Works

A panel of experienced aquascapers scores each entry on several criteria. Visual impact and first impression carry significant weight. Judges then evaluate composition, use of space, plant health, species selection, fish compatibility and overall creativity. Importantly, the AGA publishes individual judge comments for every entry, providing personalised feedback you can use to improve your next attempt. This transparency is one of the contest’s greatest strengths.

Preparing a Competitive Entry

Start your layout three to six months before the submission window. Carpet plants like Hemianthus callitrichoides ‘Cuba’ or Micranthemum ‘Monte Carlo‘ need time to fill in without bare patches. Stem plants should be trimmed into shape at least twice before the photo session to develop bushy, compact growth. In Singapore, our warm climate accelerates growth, so you may achieve contest-ready density a month sooner than hobbyists in cooler regions.

Pay attention to the background. A solid black or frosted background eliminates distractions. Clean the glass inside and out the morning of the shoot, and remove any visible equipment.

Photography for Multi-Angle Submission

The front shot follows the same rules as any competition photo: tripod, no room lights, f/8 aperture, and careful white balance. The top-down shot reveals layout geometry that a front view hides, so ensure your hardscape arrangement and plant density look intentional from above. Trim any floating debris and remove surface film before taking the overhead image. Detail shots should highlight your strongest feature, whether that is a textured moss-covered branch or a pristine carpet foreground.

Common Pitfalls

Entering the wrong style category confuses judges and lowers your score. Study the AGA’s published descriptions of each category before deciding. Submitting a layout with visible algae, even minor green dust on the glass, suggests neglect and costs points. Overfeeding fish the day before the shoot can cloud the water with fine particulate; fast your fish for 24 hours prior to photography.

Using Judge Feedback

Once results are published, read every comment carefully, not just the scores. Judges often point out specific compositional weaknesses or plant health issues you may have overlooked. Compare their remarks with your own assessment and use the critique as a development roadmap. Many top-ranked aquascapers credit the AGA’s feedback loop as a turning point in their growth. Whether you are entering from a five-foot tank in a Singapore HDB flat or a custom setup in a landed property, the AGA contest rewards thoughtful design and meticulous execution.

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