Curves - IIAC 2023 #02 Ant Long Tran Hoang / Vietnam

04 April 2025

2601

Curves is the name as well as the shape of material of my aquarium. The suitable aquatic plant shapes emphasized curves of rock also created the flow of underwater streamline too, and the flow is the main idea of this layout.

Curves - IIAC 2023 #02 Ant Long Tran Hoang / Vietnam

"Curves" created by natural large size rock have a pebble shape with layers of colors. Its arranged by most simple way without any tips or special technique as well as glues, without any activities to breaking or trimming it by any tools too.

Position of any rock not follow any golden ratio or any special special rules, just follow a simple purpose: show the beauty of nature time process of rock with plant shapes and colors in the nature stream.

Respect the nature material means that layout may not got the best scores of structure shape of layout, cannot control shadow ratio and sure, cannot impressed everyone by new nature aquarium typical tips, but I hope its can show my new point of view about natrure by the way I respect it, the way I acceptant the imperfect beauty of real nature to bring to viewers a nature feeling by the most natural way, Its also showed my true feeling in front of grandeur nature, mother of all of us.

IIAC 2023 World Ranking Announcement - World Ranking 002 - Gold Prize

Curves

Author: Ant Long Tran Hoang / Vietnam

Aquarium Size/W155 x D90 x H55 (cm)

Comments from Andrew M. Senske

Bold use of stone, beautiful arangement, excellent choice of plants, this is a very refreshing design. I like this one so much!

Comments from Byrne Miao

The construction of pebble stone layout is well-proportioned. The location of each Microsorum pteropus is very natural.

Comments from Stu Worrall

My favourite aquascape of the 2023 entries with a refreshing rolling river boulder design. I love how the designer has kept the strata lines flowing left to right across the tank. The use of the small ferns poking from gaps in the rocks really gives a nice bright highlight to the deep shadows next to them. The cardinals work really well although I think a larger shoal would have looked more dramatic. An excellent scape!

Comments from Grygoriy Polishchuk

Only a very experienced master can install a hard scape so skillfully. The incredible display of shadows, shapes and colors further emphasizes the depth.

Comments from Fabian Kussakawa

I liked the boldness and different proposal. This aquarium is very unique and original. I also liked the aspect of the rocks appearing to be old in the aquarium. There was a lack of layers with smaller elements and the focal point being better worked. Kudos for being bold. Good work and Congratulations!

Comments from Noboru Nishimura

The use of round stones, which are difficult to layout, and the large sizes, increases the impact and creates an impressive work. The selection of aquatic plants and fish was also well thought out, resulting in a well-balanced work overall.

Comments from Gary Wu

This is one of memorized layout of the year. It is difficult to use such rock type to arrange an attractive layout, the rust tone and alge surface on the stone enchance this rich color tone layout. Well done.

Comments from Frederic Fuss

A real fountain of youth! A very refreshing depiction of a riverbed with round stones. A very natural and relaxed atmosphere meets life-affirming colors. The focus here seems to be on the fish, which move with their own color to the area of all four focal points and, despite the unfamiliar surroundings, fit perfectly into the overall picture. Overall, the design is extraordinarily balanced, the small selection of materials and plants gives the impression of a single large whole and does not appear monotonous at all. Tiny details like a delicate, red lotus make for a pleasant change and don't look pretentious at all. The overall structure is very central, the depth effect is rather mediocre. Overall, the viewer's gaze is not directed much. Instead of "Look here, look there" it says "Take a look around." The colorfulness is what impressed me here from everything else, all colors appear in several places together without it being the least bit shrill. The algae on the stones make an important contribution here and show once again that controlled algae growth can contribute to a natural and convincing presentation. I see, I am amazed, I am happy and I love this work!

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