JUDGING CRITERIA

IAPLC Judging Criteria

For the parameters in the judging criteria, a focus is placed on “Recreation of natural habitat for fish” which is deeply associated with the origin of planted aquarium. These judging criteria do not limit the scope of layout expression of contestants. Their objective is to clearly define an essential feature of planted aquarium; recreating a comfortable environment to fish in a tank.

IAPLC Screening Process

  • Preliminary Screening Evaluation

    The top 100 entries are selected by ADA.

  • Primary Screening

    Each judge independently rates the top 100 entries on a scale of 1 to 100.
    *The 1st ranking receives the highest score of 100 points, and the following ranking layouts receive points in increments of -1. The top 10 entries selected by each judge move on to the Secondary Screening.

  • Best Aquarium

    The layout that received the highest eveluation at Primary Screening from each judge

  • Secondary Screening

    Each judge conducts the Secondary Screening of his / her top 10 entries in accordance
    with the Judging Criteria described on the below.

    ○Recreation of natural habitat for fish
    (Maximum 50 points)

    • Creation of a healthy fish habitat
    • Expression of its underwater environment
    • General condition of the fish and aquatic plants
    • Blending of the fish type, size,and ecology in the layout

    ○Long-term maintenance of layout work
    (Maximum 10 points)

    • Maintenance capability of the aquascape for a long
      period of time
    • Whether its expression is temporarily created only for
      photos

    ○Creatorʼs technical skills (Maximum 10 points)

    • Comprehensive techniques in creating / maintaining
      the layout

    ○Originality and impression of layout work
    (Maximum 10 points)

    • Creatorʼs originality and creativity
    • Its perfection and attractiveness

    ○Presentation of natural atmosphere in layout work
    (Maximum 10 points)

    • Expression based on concerning natural ecosystem
    • Presentation of a sense of timeʼs passage
    • Creatorʼs interpretation of nature

    ○Overall composition and planting balance
    (Maximum 10 points)

    • Completeness of layout composition
    • The balance of planting

  • Final Scores

    A competitorʼs final score is the sum of Primary Screening + Best Aquarium (extra 10 points) + Secondary Screening

  • IAPLC World Rankings