Fallowness - IIAC 2019 - Rank 1

I'm very honor "Fallowness" wins the Grand Prize of 2019 IIAC. It means a lot to me and to the scapers in Malaysia. This is also a very successful turning point for us on changing Malaysian aquascaping style.

Unlike usual, I used tooth-shaped large driftwood with exaggerate shape, to create the feeling of big trees rotting in the water. Lots of moss and Anubias to increase the maturity of this layout, I also used "Eriocaulon" between sands and plants, I want to change the image that "Eriocaulon" is difficult to use in aquascaping. Using huge driftwood across middle to frontal, the big shadow is created by purpose, so it can be the shelter to Pterophyllum aitum and increase the tension of the layout. I also want to challenge using different plants with Pterophyllum aitum. People usually think angel fish is suitable with long-leaf plants like Vallisneria, but this time I want to challenge with something different by using round-leaf and thin-leaf plants, also some light-red plants in the background and a little bit in the middle-front.

For me, I've tried to think out of the box on the concept, thoughts and technique on this layout, I'm glad this bold attempt received such unexpected outcome. A big thank you to all the hard-working judges for your recognition to this work. Thank you to everyone contributed to the aquascaping world. Without each one of you, the aquascaping world couldn't be this huge and wonderful, and there will be no platform for us to present ourselves. If you didn't receive the outcome as you wish, don't weaken. This year has come to an end and let's hope for a higher level for next year's performance