[TheStoriesOfTop7] Dream On - Josh Sim / Malaysia - IAPLC 2019

08 May 2024

3348

This year's Grand prize goes to Mr. Josh Sim of Malaysia. What inspires us the most about this work is its novel and powerful approach to the composition brought out by fine planting details. This aquascape was created faithfully to the teachings of Takashi Amano, founder of Nature Aquarium and this contest; "Go bold with your composition, but careful with planting." Although the driftwood pieces used as the primary layout material of this aquascape are rectilinear and relatively large, their combination and arrangement are creating smart visual effects. The making of eccentric layouts in a deliberate manner seems to be one of the latest trends in contest submissions, but we believe that this layout is highly regarded because it achieves a strong impact while appearing less suggestive.

[TheStoriesOfTop7] Dream On - Josh Sim / Malaysia - IAPLC 2019

Mr. Josh Sim's "Dream On" took the first place (Grand prize) in IAPLC World Rankings 2019. One of the top aquascapers, and the winner of IAPLC 2017, Mr. Sim scored high average again with his latest submis- sion, which is also ADA's Best Aquarium of the year. This layout was awarded with the Grand prize among many quality submissions because of its exceptional composition work and refined expression. ADA's comments on its Best Aquarium follows below

IAPLC 2019 Gallery - Look back history - World Ranking 0001 - Grand Prize

Dream On

Author: Josh Sim/ Malaysia

Aquarium Size/W120×D60×H50 (cm)

Aquatic Plants

Ammania gracilis

Bucephalandra sp. Catherine

Cryptocoryne Parva

Fissidens fontanus

Micranthemum sp. Monte Carlo

Eleocharis sp.

Hydrocotyle vulgaris

Hemianthus callitrichoides 'Cuba'

Ranunculus papulentus

Rotala rotundifolia

Fish & Invertebrates

Paracheirodon Innesi

Crossocheilus oblongus

Otocinclus Affinis

Caridina multidentata

AWARDS

World Ranking 0001 Grand Prize IAPLC 2019

Comments

I was with my family when I saw the news that IAPLC result letters had been sent out from ADA HQ, so I told my 3 kids, I would open my letter with all of them this year, something that I have never done before. They probably would not understand how important the content of this "letter" to me, but they happily said OK. In the following week Wednesday, to my big surprise, my "letter" came in the form of EMS. I felt very happy that I am in the Top7 again!! The urge of opening the EMS immediately is very strong but I kept my promise to my family, I would like to open the letter only when everyone is around. As I will only see all my kids in another 3 days, I endured the most difficult 3 days of my life, while seeing friends around the world revealing their results on social media. On the day before my "open ceremony", 5 places of the Top7 were taken, the last 2 spots left, were Grand Prize and #7, so it means I will be either Champion or Number 7!! It is not a bad situation to be in.... but I believe you would understand how I felt! Finally on Friday... I let the kids opened the EMS and I want them to read my ranking to me while I was holding my wife's hand. They could not find the result page so it took them some time to search for it...and my heart almost jumped out from my mouth during that few sec- onds. Suddenly, I heard them screaming at the top of their lung "Number 1....Number 1.... Number 1....." We hugged each other and I feel grateful that I have my family around me to celebrate this amazing moment in my life! It is a wonderful feeling to be able to get the highest recognition in the most prestigious aquascaping contest in the world. I wish that Mr Amano could see my layout and I hope that I make him proud, Nature Aquarium has evolved, I am sure that he is happy to know something that he started, has given everybody a dream! Thank you Sensei. Thank you IAPLC.

Comment of ADA (Japan)

This layout is characterized by bold wood work composed of two large driftwood pieces that are exquisitely positioned to create a powerful impact and a sense of depth. There are nowadays many submissions of visually detailed aquascapes well-crafted with slender twigs, but for this layout it seems like that large, thick driftwood were used intentionally by the maker, who has a keen understanding of this contest, in order to express an atmosphere distinctive from the rest of contest submissions. In addition, he exhibits his talent throughout the work, including the use of two irregularly cut driftwood pieces creating a strong, wild impression, and his choice of Micranthemum sp. Montecarlo hanging from the driftwood, instead of ferns and moss. Adapting Nature Aquarium techniques, the maker has successfully developed his own ways of expression without being too exaggerating both visually and technically. This layout is undeniably illustrating a "success of orthodox method."

Related on News & Press

Leave your comments

Latest on News & Press

IAPLC 2026: 29 Vietnamese TOP 300 Nominees

Twenty-nine Vietnamese aquascapers have been named in the IAPLC 2026 TOP 300 nominee list published by ADA. Their nominations give Vietnam's aquascaping community a shared reason to celebrate as attention turns to the final results on October 10.
IAPLC 2026 TOP 300 Nominees & Results Date

The IAPLC 2026 TOP 300 nominee list is available, with final results scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2026. For aquascaping enthusiasts, it is time to find familiar names and prepare for the reveal.
Leading the new world - Roger Goh / Singapore - Bronze Prize IAPLC 2020 - Rooted forest aquascape frames a luminous central waterway

This image presents a densely planted forest-style aquascape organized around a bright opening and a pale, winding foreground channel. Massive dark roots create an overhead canopy and repeated vertical trunks, while small schooling fish provide scale and movement through the central space. The work is exceptionally complete visually, with mosses and compact plants covering much of the hardscape. Because the review is based on one photograph, plant identities, tank dimensions, maintenance history and the exact fish ecology cannot be verified. The scores below are an editorial estimate, not an official contest result.
Hokusai Katsushika - Albert Escrihuela Cáceres / Spain - Silver Prize - IAPLC 2020 - Moss-Covered Rock Ravine Framed by a Bright Opening

This image presents a densely planted underwater ravine built from dark, layered rocks and heavily mossed branches or ledges. A school of small, vividly marked fish occupies the central passage, while a bright opening behind the hardscape supplies the principal depth cue. The layout has a strong sense of enclosure, movement and vertical relief, although the very dark edges make some construction and planting details difficult to assess. The following scores are an editorial estimate based only on this submitted image, not an official contest result, and long-term maintenance cannot be verified from a single photograph.
PURE - Josh Sim / Malaysia - Silver Prize - IAPLC 2020 - Layered Driftwood Forest with a School of Striped Fish

This image presents a densely planted underwater forest organized around sweeping, interlocking driftwood. Fine-leaved growth covers much of the wood, while open water in the central lower area gives a school of vertically striped, long-finned fish room to move. The composition is immersive and convincingly mature in appearance, with strong depth created by overlapping branches, dark recesses and brighter planting behind the main structure. Because the image shows only one finished view, maintenance history, exact plant identities and hidden construction cannot be verified. The following scores are an editorial estimate, not an official contest result.
Undying - Steven Chong / United States of America - Gold Prize IAPLC 2020 - Layered Driftwood Arches Frame A Bright Underwater Forest

This image presents a densely planted aquatic scene organized around several dark, interlocking driftwood forms. The wood creates tunnels, ledges, and strong horizontal layers, while a bright open area behind the structure supplies depth and contrast. A compact school of small, striped-looking fish occupies the central water column and reinforces the sense of an active habitat. Mossy and fine-leaved growth covers much of the wood and foreground. Species, tank dimensions, maintenance history, and hidden construction cannot be confirmed from the image, so this review evaluates only visible evidence and treats the numerical scores as an editorial estimate, not an official result.
Eden - Siak Wee Yeo / Malaysia - Grand Prize IAPLC 2020

This review examines the submitted aquarium image for IAPLC 2020, where the supplied contest context lists the entry at rank 1. The layout presents a dense, dark forest scene built around large branching hardscape, moss-covered surfaces, layered planting and a bright opening near the center. Small schooling fish reinforce the sense of scale and movement. The image is visually compelling and technically ambitious, although its heavy canopy and deep shadows make some structural details difficult to read. The assessment below is an editorial estimate based only on the visible photograph, not an official contest score.
Final Call: Only One Day Left to Enter CIAC 2026

The clock is ticking for aquascapers around the world. Registration for the CIPS International Aquascaping Contest 2026 — CIAC 2026 officially closes on September 15, 2026. With only one day remaining, this is the final opportunity to submit your aquascape and compete for one of the most valuable prize packages on the international aquascaping calendar.
Introducing AquaRank: A Transparent World Ranking for Aquascapers

Aquascaping has grown into a truly international art form. Every year, thousands of aquascapers submit their work to competitions around the world, yet their achievements often remain scattered across old websites, PDF files, image galleries and results published in different languages.
13 Easy Aquarium Plants for a Thriving Beginner Planted Tank

Starting a planted aquarium can seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be! Many beautiful and beneficial freshwater plants thrive with minimal effort, making them ideal for beginners. Adding live plants not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your tank but also provides numerous benefits for your fish and invertebrates, like improved water quality, oxygenation, and natural hiding spots. This guide highlights 13 fantastic, easy-to-care-for aquarium plants that will help you create a lush, thriving aquatic environment from day one.
12 Colorful & Compatible Freshwater Fish for Your Community Aquarium

Creating a vibrant and harmonious freshwater aquarium is a rewarding experience. The key lies in selecting fish that not only dazzle with their colors but also coexist peacefully in a community setting. This guide introduces you to some of the most stunning and amiable freshwater species, perfect for transforming your tank into a lively underwater paradise. We'll explore their unique characteristics, care requirements, and how to ensure they thrive alongside their tank mates.
"REFLECTION" - When the weight becomes silence: Decoding the top 4 MASTERPIECE at KIAC 2025

Amidst the "earthquake" named Vietnam at KIAC 2025, the work "Reflection" by Aquascaper Long Tran Hoang emerges as a majestic yet subtle note. Securing the Top 4 spot (Bronze Prize), "Reflection" does not follow the trodden path of dense, detail-heavy Forest styles or distant mountain ranges. Instead, it chooses to make a powerful impression through the contrast between physical weight and visual lightness.
KIAC 2025 RESULTS: A record-breaking season - Vietnam dominates with 14 works in the global top 50

The organizers of the Korea International Aquascaping Contest (KIAC) 2025 have officially released the Final World Ranking. This season has not only recorded a record number of entries but also witnessed an astonishing leap in artistic standards, where the line between reality and the aquatic world has become increasingly blurred.
AGA 2025 Results Announced: Indonesia Wins Big, USA Dominates Dutch Category

The 25th AGA International Aquascaping Contest – one of the oldest and most prestigious competitions in the global aquascaping community (organized by the Aquatic Gardeners Association of the United States) – has officially announced its final results.
ITAC International Aquascaping Contest 2025 Final result

Early this morning, the global aquascaping community turned its eyes toward Italy as the organizers of the ITAC (Italian Aquascaping Contest) officially announced the results for the 2025 season. This stands as one of the most anticipated year-end events, gathering talented aquascapers from every continent.
Brazil Aquascaping Contest 2025 Result - CBAP 2025

The Brazilian Aquascaping Contest (CBAP - Concurso Brasileiro de Aquapaisagismo) has officially announced its 2025 results, marking an impressive season featuring top-tier works from both the Brazilian and international aquascaping communities. As the most anticipated annual event in Brazil's hobbyist scene, CBAP serves not only to honor the skills of aquascapers but also as a launchpad for major international competitions like the IAPLC.