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
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...
How to Feed Freshwater Shrimp Without Feeding the Algae Problem

How to Feed Freshwater Shrimp Without Feeding the Algae Problem

Freshwater shrimp are often added to planted aquariums with two goals: enjoy their color and reduce algae. The difficulty is that extra food can work against both goals. Shrimp graze biofilm, soft algae, plant debris, and missed fish food, but a tank...

Aquascaping Contest Schedule 2026

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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.

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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

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Masashi Ono

Japan
5934

I am Masashi Ono, I am from Japan. I have been in aquascaping for over 30 years. I have always maintained this as a hobby and leisure activity. Becoming friends with people from all around the world and living a happy and joyful life every day - Masashi Ono san

It will be easy for you to see that he is one of the first aquatic designer in the world to achieve real "nature style" aquarium.

He has understood since a very long time how to make the fishes feels like they were in their natural habitat. Just look how they fit perfectly in the layouts he did 14 years ago and you will understand how far he had gone a long time before the other aquatic designers.

AWARDS

2001
IAPLC World Ranking 09

2002
IAPLC World Ranking 02

2003
IAPLC World Ranking 12

2004
IAPLC World Ranking 02

2005
IAPLC World Ranking 14

2006
IAPLC World Ranking 02

2007
IAPLC World Ranking 18

2008
IAPLC World Ranking 14

2009
IAPLC World Ranking 39

2010
IAPLC World Ranking 48

2011
IAPLC World Ranking 42

2012
IAPLC World Ranking 119

2013
IAPLC World Ranking 68

2014
IAPLC World Ranking 11

2015
IAPLC World Ranking 85

2016
IAPLC World Ranking 83

2017
IAPLC World Ranking 25

2018
IAPLC World Ranking 141

2019
IAPLC World Ranking 81

2020
IAPLC World Ranking 143

2021
IAPLC World Ranking 107

2022
IAPLC World Ranking 114

2023
IAPLC World Ranking 87

 

Best scapes by Masashi Ono
68

Winning Work IAPLC 2013 - Masashi Ono / Japan

The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest - 2013
11

Beautiful Autumn - IAPLC 2014 - Masashi Ono / Japan

The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest - 2014
85

Root under the water - IAPLC 2015 - Masashi Ono / Japan

The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest - 2015
83

Early Autumn - IAPLC 2016 - Masashi Ono / Japan

The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest - 2016
25

The garden of Brunei Beauty - IAPLC 2017 - Masashi Ono / Japan

The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest - 2017
141

Fine Works IAPLC 2018 - Masashi Ono / Japan

The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest - 2018
81

Winning Works IAPLC 2019 - Masashi Ono / Japan

The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest - 2019
143

Fine Works IAPLC 2020 - Masashi Ono / Japan

The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest - 2020
107

Asian breeze - IAPLC 2021 - Masashi Ono / Japan

The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest - 2021
114

Habitat - IAPLC 2022 - Masashi Ono / Japan

The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest - 2022
87

Stage of blue paradise - IAPLC 2023 - Masashi Ono / Japan

The International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest - 2023
Check all Aquarium Contests