AGA 2019 World Ranking Announcement
As in year’s past, the success of the contest is dependent on the hard work of our esteemed panel of judges. Each year, our judges take time from their very busy schedules to participate in our contest, and our contest would not be the success it is today without their efforts. For this year’s judges, we have returning as a judge, Andre Longarco from Aquabase Brazil, Jennifer Williams from the Greater Washington Aquatic Plant Association, and Esther Mous from Aquaflora. We were again very fortunate to have Marco Aukes judge our Dutch category and to have the AGA’s own Phil Edwards and Karen Randall also assisting with judging of the Biotope, Paludarium, and Dutch categories. Karen was also involved with judging the Wabi Kusa category, something we hope will expand in future years! As the chair of the contest and a former judge, I cannot stress enough how thankful the AGA is to have these individuals judge our contest.
Our contest would not be the success it is without the generosity of sponsors. We had some outstanding companies support this year's contest including Seachem, Ultum Nature Systems, Aquael, Florida Aquatic Nurseries, SevenPorts, and Amazonas Magazine. In addition to our corporate sponsors, the Chicago Aquatic Plant Society again supported this year’s contest, sponsoring the inaugural Wabi-Kusa category. Thank you to our sponsors! Without all the support provided by these companies and clubs, our contest would not be nearly as successful!
Finally, I would also like to thank Jen Williams for not only providing judging this year’s contest, but also providing the contest graphics. And a huge thank you to Erik Olson our tech guru, who does an outstanding job on all the behind the scenes work to ensure that the contest runs smoothly.
Comments
It is always a pleasure a privilege and a great honor to be able to participate as a juror in this renowned Aquascaping contest. It is public and notorious that aquascaping is growing and developing all over the world and without a doubt the AGA contest is a major responsible for this.
I want to thank the governing body of the contest for always trust in my work and congratulate all participants without exception for the courage dedication and passion for this wonderful hobby. I hope to be with you all in the next edition and certainly with much more participants. Long life to aquascaping.
— Andre Longarco
Thank you to every single participant. Regardless of place everyone is to be commended for making the notable effort to share their creation with not just a panel of judges but with the world. Each year the entries are more remarkable than the last this year being no exception. While aquascaping continues to grow worldwide I feel as though the community is also growing closer as a whole all while developing stronger in more localized regions--which is truly very exciting! Thank you to the AGA for being a pillar in the world of aquascaping and aquatic plants and to everyone involved in organizing this incredible contest. So congratulations to all of the winners for your fine work and to all entrants for your participation. I look forward to seeing more from all of you in the future!
— Jen Williams
TOP 10 AGA 2019 Aquatic Garden, < 28L
The Category where the miracles happens!!! It need too much courage to do such delicate job in such small aquariums!! Nice job people you all have my respect!
— Andre Longarco
I am always impressed by what is accomplished in these small aquariums. This year I was not disappointed! Well done!
— Jen Williams
TOP 10 AGA 2019 Aquatic Garden, 28L ~ 60L
One of my favourite categories. Much surprises can be seen in these aquariums sizes. In this category I expect good hardscape proportions good sense of depth perspective and obviously a good natural feeling.
Let's aquascape!!
— Andre Longarco
This category is always (in my opinion) the most masterful. I look forward to seeing the incredible creations!
— Jen Williams
TOP 10 AGA 2019 Aquatic Garden, 60L ~ 120L
Particularly I think this category is difficult because it is an intermediate size hard to get the good hardscape's proportions and the correct size of plants. However when the work is well done the results are amazing !!! This year we have noticed a tendence of caves holes and tunnels in this category but the results were very good.
— Andre Longarco
Another favorite category of mine! This size allows for more freedom and flexibility--and in turn more creativity. Well done to everyone in this category!
— Jen Williams
TOP 10 AGA 2019 Aquatic Garden, 120L ~ 200L
This category always impresses us by presenting very consistent and accurate works. This year the dispute was tough but memorable. What beautiful aquariums !!!
— Andre Longarco
This category I felt had the largest number of equally well done compositions. It was VERY difficult to judge!! Well done to all!
— Jen Williams
TOP 10 AGA 2019 Aquatic Garden, 200L ~ 320L
This is the category of classic aquariums. They impress by the fine workmanship perfect proportions and in many cases because the audacity and boldness.
I really appreciate this category for the wide variety and diversity of styles that we usually give us amazing surprises.
— Andre Longarco
TOP 10 AGA 2019 Aquatic Garden, > 320L
The big guys. Always striking by the unprecedented and boldness. It is these aquariums that delight people who for the first time maintain contact with aquascaping. I rate these layouts last because I always want to be surprised in the end. Good work.
— Andre Longarco
TOP 05 AGA 2019 Biotope Aquascape
TOP 05 AGA 2019 Dutch Aquascape
It is good to see that this category is getting more entries with a real attempt at Dutch Style. We see this year a lot more tanks with well structured groups of plants and nice contrasts; two important elements of this style. The winner really was the one that implemented most of typical Dutch Style elements but there were other entries that could challenge him next try with only a few smaller adjustments.
— Marco Aukes
TOP 05 AGA 2019 Wabi-Kusa
I am thrilled to see the improvement and increase in entries in this category in just two years! Beautiful work! Just a couple of things for people to keep in mind. You MUST show your water area for this contest...even if you need to add a separate less "artistic photo" to show us it is there. And it is very clear in the rules that terrestrial plants are not allowed and you will be disqualified for using them. So please don't be disappointed in the judges when that happens! (and just because a plant can survive for a while under water does NOT make it an aquatic plant!) Finally there is NO requirement for animals in a Wabi-Kusa. Do NOT lower your score by putting animals in a container that is really too small. We WILL mark you down for that! If animals are included it must be an appropriate home for animals!
— Karen Randall
TOP 05 AGA 2019 Paludarium
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