[TheStoriesOfTop7] Creek in Forest - Qi Zhang / China - IAPLC 2019

09 May 2024

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The third Bronze Award winning aquascape gives an interesting impression made by a nice blending of its diorama like aspects and underwater appearance. Among many entries showcasing forest landscapes, this layout rather represents a fairy tale scenery than depicting a realistic forest image. It leads us to enjoy this layout simply as an underwater scene where fish live. Great planting details; especially the presentation of red plants is exquisitely effective, which enriches the visual presentation and creates a fantasy like atmosphere

[TheStoriesOfTop7] Creek in Forest - Qi Zhang / China - IAPLC 2019

Mr. Qi Zhang (China) received the 7the place award (Bronze prize) with his "Creek in Forest." And his work was favorably regarded by three judges, namely Mr. David Boruchowitz (USA), Mr. Friedrich Bitter (Germany) and Mr. Yu-Fa Huang (Chinese Taipei), with each judge scoring over 200 points. When it comes to the composition, the judges don't have much new to say about this work because an uncommon composition work with a good deal of details is a trend found in recent submissions from China. However, it has such a high degree of completion throughout the layout, which is elaborately crafted. The red colors of aquatic plants and fish beautifully arranged with nice deep green color of plants cleverly draw attention, and it demonstrates maker's superb composition skills. Many of this year's top 27 layouts, including this work, take tanks sized at W120×D50×H50 (cm) or come in similar dimensions. If you have plan to create a full-scale aquascape, this may serve you as a reference since tank size is a very important consideration for aquascaping.

IAPLC 2019 Gallery - Look back history - World Ranking 0006 - Bronze Prize

Creek in Forest

Author: Qi Zhang / China

Aquarium Size/W120×D50×H50(cm)

Aquatic Plants

Bucephalandra sp.

Anubias barteri var. nana 'Petite'

Hygrophila pinnatifida

Hemianthus micranthemoides

Amania sp.

Bolbitis heudelotii

Ludwigia arcuata

Rotala sp. Hra

Rotala rotundifolia 'Green'

Rotala pusilla

Limnophila aromatica

Micranthemum sp. Monte Carlo

Callicostella prabaktiana

Taxiphyllum sp. 'Flame moss'

Riccardia chamedryfolia

Hottonia inflata

Fish & Invertebrates

Hemigrammus bleheri

Brycon melanopterus

Clea Helena

Otocinclus sp.

Caridina multidentata

AWARDS

World Ranking 0006 Bronze Prize IAPLC 2019

Comments

I saw the email when I just returned from a vacation with my family. My friends told me they had already received their result notices. So I nervously opened the email. I doubted my eyes when I found out that I was TOP 7. I immediately went to get the EMS. And all I could do was to walk around the house after receiving the envelope. I remembered my feeling that I was crazy about aquatic plant layouts. I opened the envelope with my wife when I got back home. I was really delighted to see the ranking. This year was the fourth IAPLC for me since my first participation. I am truly overjoyed for all the judges to recognize my work. Once, I promised my family that I would take my wife to the ADA headquarters if I ever won a prize within the 27th place. I can't wait for the departure! I'm so ready to go. See you all in Japan!

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