Aquarium Libraries

AquaLibs presents AquaRank Discover the world’s leading aquascapers

Explore transparent rankings built from published results across the world’s leading aquascaping contests.

Explore AquaRank View Top 300
How to Grow a Shrimp Colony Without Losing Control of a Planted Aquarium

How to Grow a Shrimp Colony Without Losing Control of a Planted Aquarium

A planted aquarium can turn a small group of freshwater shrimp into a self-sustaining colony, but reproduction changes how you plan space, food, filtration, and tank mates. The key decision is not simply which shrimp looks best. It is whether you wan...
The Low-Tech Planted Aquarium Blueprint: Match Plant Growth to Livestock Before You Buy

The Low-Tech Planted Aquarium Blueprint: Match Plant Growth to Livestock Before You Buy

A planted aquarium without injected CO2 can look full, natural, and colorful, but it will not behave like a high-tech aquascape. Growth is usually slower, demanding carpet plants may stay sparse, and red foliage may be less intense. The most reliable...
Which Tank Mates Belong Together in a Planted Aquarium? A Peaceful Community Decision Guide

Which Tank Mates Belong Together in a Planted Aquarium? A Peaceful Community Decision Guide

A peaceful community aquarium is not created by choosing the smallest or most colorful fish available. Compatibility depends on adult size, swimming level, social needs, temperament, feeding behavior, water preferences, and whether shrimp or snails a...
The Aquarium Snail Reality Check: Match Cleanup Claims to the Job Your Planted Tank Needs

The Aquarium Snail Reality Check: Match Cleanup Claims to the Job Your Planted Tank Needs

Aquarium snails are often sold as a cleanup crew, but that label can create unrealistic expectations. They may graze algae, consume biofilm, find uneaten food, process decaying plant tissue, or move through the substrate. They do not replace water ch...

Aquascaping Contest Schedule 2026

View full schedule

KIAC

Open for Entries
Closes in: --:--:--
Open21/10
Close22/11
Result26/12

AGA

Judging
Results in: --:--:--
Open01/08
Close04/10
Result07/11

CBAP

Judging
Results in: --:--:--
Open01/07
Close16/08
Result29/11

ITAC

Judging
Results in: --:--:--
Open01/08
Close30/09
Result30/11

EAPLC

Completed
Status: Announced
Open01/06
Close31/07
Result17/10

CIAC

Completed
Status: Announced
Open02/08
Close15/09
Result10/10

IAPLC

Completed
Status: Announced
Open01/04
Close31/05
Result10/10

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Fresh from the rankings

Latest works from the AquaRank Top 300

A rotating selection from the newest locally archived contest works created by the world’s Top 300 aquascapers.

Selection rotates daily · Local images onlyExplore the Top 300 →

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Analyse Spain aquascapes at IAPLC 2026, then explore the country’s results, contributing creators and competition history on AquaRank Nations.

Spain at IAPLC 2026: Roberto Buenadicha’s Forest and the Space Between Trunks

Roberto Buenadicha’s aquarium is the only Spanish work in the published ranks 1–300. Its slender dar...
Analyse France aquascapes at IAPLC 2026, then explore the country’s results, contributing creators and competition history on AquaRank Nations.

France at IAPLC 2026: A Close Reading of Jean Christophe Grosset’s Woodland

Only one French work appears in the published ranks 1–300. That gives this instalment a different ta...
Analyse Singapore aquascapes at IAPLC 2026, then explore the country’s results, contributing creators and competition history on AquaRank Nations.

Singapore at IAPLC 2026: Open Stone and an Enclosed Planted Passage

Two Singaporean works appear in the published ranks 1–300, and they offer an unusually clear contras...
Analyse Hong Kong aquascapes at IAPLC 2026, then explore the country’s results, contributing creators and competition history on AquaRank Nations.

Hong Kong at IAPLC 2026: Three Studies in Light, Layers and Visual Impact

A low timber ceiling, blue-toned terraces and converging planted diagonals create three visibly diff...
Analyse Italy aquascapes at IAPLC 2026, then explore the country’s results, contributing creators and competition history on AquaRank Nations.

Italy at IAPLC 2026: Calm Routes and More Dramatic Planted Frames

A clear route through planted banks can feel quiet; a coloured ridge beneath a dark frame can feel t...
Analyse United States aquascapes at IAPLC 2026, then explore the country’s results, contributing creators and competition history on AquaRank Nations.

United States at IAPLC 2026: Four Distinct Readings of a Wooded Aquarium

The four American photographs selected here all contain important wood structures, yet they do not p...
Top 300 spotlight

AquaRank Top 300

Explore AquaRank

Josh Sim

Malaysia
19718

He is one of best scapers from Malaysia. His layouts are always very powerfull and very detailed. So, high are the rankings ! And he manages to present two impressive layouts per year since 2012... His awards make stunning anyone in the aquatic world: IAPLC - 2 times grand prize at 2017 and 2019, IIAC - 2 times 1st place at 2017 and 2018 ... with too much more achievements but he is very friendly, always help newbies. Thanks him for his dedication to the aquatic world 

 

Best scapes by Josh Sim
3

Eternal - Top 3 IAPLC 2023 - Josh Sim/Malaysia

The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest - 2023
3

Eternal - IAPLC 2023 - World Ranking 3 by Josh Sim

The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest - 2023
43

Samurai - IAPLC 2022 - Winning Work by Josh Sim

The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest - 2022
56

Embrace

ISTA International Aquascaping Contest - 2021
6

Embrace

The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest - 2021
3

Pure

The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest - 2020
1

Dream On

The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest - 2019
4

Dream

ISTA International Aquascaping Contest - 2019
2

Dream On

ISTA International Aquascaping Contest - 2019
1

Fate

ISTA International Aquascaping Contest - 2018
20

Faith

The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest - 2018
1

Congo

The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest - 2017
1

Congo

ISTA International Aquascaping Contest - 2017

Untitled

The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest - 2016

Timeless

AGA International Aquascaping Contest - 2016

Origin

AGA International Aquascaping Contest - 2015
9

A Hunting Ground

AGA International Aquascaping Contest - 2015

Dark side of Eden

AGA International Aquascaping Contest - 2015
3

Desire

AGA International Aquascaping Contest - 2014
119

Blessing

The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest - 2014
4

Destiny

The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest - 2013
8

Blessing

AGA International Aquascaping Contest - 2013

Far Far Away

AGA International Aquascaping Contest - 2012
1

Crimson Tide

AGA International Aquascaping Contest - 2012

Timeless Season

AGA International Aquascaping Contest - 2012

Eternity

AGA International Aquascaping Contest - 2011

Eternity

AGA International Aquascaping Contest - 2010

Freedom

AGA International Aquascaping Contest - 2010
16

Elusive Plateau

The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest - 2012
21

September

The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest - 2011

Blazzing Trail

The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest - 2010
4

Awakening

The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest - 2009
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