It’s time to help contribute for biggest aquarium gallery online

SUBMIT HEREVIEW GALLERY

  • Home
  • News & Press
  • [TheStoriesOfTop7] Mysterious World - Yong Liu / China - IAPLC 2015

[TheStoriesOfTop7] Mysterious World - Yong Liu / China - IAPLC 2015

259

It's a very unique layout presenting a scene of driftwood branches entangling stones. The layout can be seen more like ancient remains left abandoned long ago and covered by plants than natural scenery.

The world ranking 7th went to Mr. Yong Liu from China for his work, "Mysterious World". This year, the four layouts in the top seven were from China, resulting in showing us breakthrough improvements of Chinese applicants. It was comparatively acclaimed by judges: Mr. Friedrich Bitter from Germany and Mr. Philippe Chevoleau from France. The signature driftwood that grows winding thin branches suits the representation of wide aquascape, and the layout is taking advantage of its tank size, W180xD60xH60 (cm). This style of layout is very popular among entries from China probably because of the locally available layout materials. It is one of the interesting tendency we can see in the world scale contest how the methods and materials used reflect national characteristics. Each area around the world has some signature layout materials, and we are very much looking forward to seeing more of the latest and diverse styles and interpretations to be produced with them in the future.

IAPLC 2015 Gallery - Look back history - World Ranking 0007 - Bronze Prize

A Hunting Ground

Author: Yong Liu / China

Aquarium Size/W180×D60×H60 (cm)

Aquatic Plants

Anubias barteri var. nana "Mini"

Bucephalandra sp.

Vesicularia filicinum

Riccardia chamedryfolia

Phoenix Moss

Riccia sp. "Dwarf"

Aegagropila linnaei

Fish & Invertebrates

Paracheirodon simulans

Nannostomus mortenthaleri

Neocaridina denticulate

Carinotetraodon travancoricus

AWARDS

World Ranking 0006 Bronze Prize IAPLC 2015

3rd Place AGA 2015 - Aquatic Garden > 320L 

Comments

Since I submitted my layout to IAPLC, I waited for the result announcement every day with anxiety. I got very worried as I heard that my friends had received good results. However, honestly speaking, I was more confident in my layout created for this year's contest compared to the one for last year. I put all my energy and efforts into creating this layout, so I believed that I would have a better result. On the other hand, I felt very insecure because it took long time for the mail to reach me. Finally I received the mail informing the result and found myself to be the seventh in the world ranking. It is still far apart from my ideal result, but I am very happy as I could break my best record and won the Bronze Prize. I will do my best and try again next year.

Creative and impactant layout!
The deep sense is very strong and overall impression is panoramic view!
The negative point is the long term maintenance.
Congratulations in my TOP5!
— Luca Galarraga

This is an amazing layout with a special rock-driftwood arrangement. It can impress any viewers for many times.
— Long Tran Hoang

Related on News & Press
Leave your comments
Lastest on News & Press

  • [TheStoriesOfTop7] Undying - Steven Chong / United States - IAPLC 2020

    The Gold prize winning work presents a remarkable driftwood composition. The depth that goes beyond the size of this aquarium is created by expanding the central open space towards the far right side, along with the drastically arranged driftwood. In addition, a mirror embedded in the substrate gives an interesting visual effect; it looks as if a river is running in the aquascape, or the driftwood is floating in the air, depending on the viewer's viewpoint. The visual impact is enhanced by the skinny branches placed behind the large driftwood that makes up the framework of the composition, and the subtle and low-key planting of epiphytes

  • [TheStoriesOfTop7] Eden - Siak Wee Yeo / Malaysia - IAPLC 2020

    This year's Grand prize goes to an energetic driftwood aquascape. When this type of composition is made, rocks are often glued together to form the framework, but in this work, large driftwood pieces are boldly used to build the aquascape's foundation. Driftwood is also used for the stalactite-like extensions that hang down from above. This gives a softer impression to the aquascape than making them with rocks, and helps match their texture with that of the driftwood framework.

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

    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] Flood Season - Quang Minh Nguyen / VietNam - IAPLC 2019

    Here is the second Bronze Prize winning layout characterized by its gentle wood work. The maker mainly used moss for the layout, but he has avoided a monotonous manner by planting lighter green plants in spots. The white decorative sand laid under driftwood branches helps prevent the aquascape from becoming too gloomy, and it also successfully enhances the underwater appearance. This layout is highly acclaimed for making a moderate amount of open space and the well-balanced composition. What makes it unique is the sense of serenity found in the expression of natural feel.

  • [TheStoriesOfTop7] Fallowness - Siak Wee Yeo / Malaysia - IAPLC 2019

    Interestingly, the first Bronze Award winning aquascape uses straight driftwood pieces similar to the ones in the Grand prize work. Making the most of the characteristics of driftwood, the layout forms a unique composition by emphasizing the horizontal lines. The layout showcases a wonderful underwater presentation with its perfect positioning of fish and a pleasant sense of water flow given by the driftwoods and supporting rocks oriented in the same direction. The maker intentionally photographed the aquascape in the way, making the water surface look like an open space, and this worked favorably for the evaluation.

  • [TheStoriesOfTop7] Guardians - Martial Hervy / France - IAPLC 2019

    An authentic concave aquascape won the second Silver Award. Its radially-arranged wood work is reminiscent of Takashi Amano's Nature Aquarium layouts while planting details and the color tone are nicely done in European style. The nice blending of these characteristics is, indeed, the originality of this aquascape. The execution of the layout is outstanding in terms of the composition balance and plants' conditions. However, the maker could improve the presentation of fish habitat by putting more emphasis on the fish's presence.

  • [TheStoriesOfTop7] Summer Solstice - Fuhong Guan / China - IAPLC 2019

    The first Silver Award is given to a magnificent layout work presenting a circular opening in the center of the tank. The entries with eccentric compositions usually polarize the judges' opinions, but this aquascape received favorable responses from the majority of them. We can assume that this is because of its balanced composition work, finely adjusted on both sides, and beautiful color combination. Although the aquascapes that mainly consist of moss often give a gloomy impression, the maker avoids it by effectively presenting the red colors of plants and fish in this layout. The blue gradation background is also visually effective.

  • [TheStoriesOfTop7] Tankei - Takayuki Fukada / Japan - IAPLC 2019

    Mr. Takayuki Fukuda (Japan) won the Gold prize with his aquascape layout. What is most striking about his work is its representation of the cliffs protruding from both the left and right sides of the composition. Using massive rocks projecting strong shadows alone could impart an oppressive impression, but he prevented it by tactfully making an open space in the center through the upper section. The stem plants shown in the opening under the cliffs also soften the image. These are adept strategies of a creator who is an expert of layouts of this sort

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

    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] Home - Jin Liang / China - IAPLC 2018

    This layout is highly regarded with its dynamic composition, giving a strong sense of perspective. We can find it in the shadows on the central pillar and at the right corner of the scene, the series of arches that run from the front left section to the right back corner, and the wall-like structure behind the arches, that is built along the left front and the right rear side. Every aspect of the composition is intricately calculated to create depth in the layout, but regretfully, this also makes the layout almost look artificial

  • [TheStoriesOfTop7] TURO DE L'HOME - Bernat Hosta Rovira / ANDORRA - IAPLC 2018

    The layout is finely crafted with small tree branches and rocks, and is in many ways more like a painting. Although this work seems antithetical to this year's Grand Prix layout, it should be highly regarded as a wonderful planted layout with the precisely calculated composition and the meticulous arrangement using a variety of aquatic plants. There is a pleasing depth of field ratio between the foreground and background. Moreover, the layout's lively style gives a positive impression. A refreshing aquascape that makes you feel like you enjoy a view of a nearby pond from a bright green forest in early summer.

  • [TheStoriesOfTop7] Butterfly Hideaway - Steven Chong / United States - IAPLC 2018

    The composition creates an image as if you were looking up at a land erosion from a cave. Making hanging vines and spreading roots with fine branches is a commonly practiced technique nowadays, but it is tastefully done in this layout. The creator tactfully emphasizes perspective by attracting your eye to the space overlapping between the V-shaped open space located at the top of the aquascape and the smaller open space on the right side. On the other hand, the presentation of plant arrangement, that is mostly composed of mosses and ferns, looks flat and unappealing

  • [TheStoriesOfTop7] Greener Where You Water It - Hiep Hong / United States - IAPLC 2018

    The arrangement of Tiger lotus leaves impression in this Nature Aquarium style layout. Composed of driftwood and rocks, its simple concave composition is well-balanced on both sides, and it successfully presents a powerful aquascape with thick driftwood branches protruding towards the open space. The red color of Tiger lotus is accentuated against the green background, where mosses and ferns are mainly used. The aquascape is visually accented with floating leaves growing out through the driftwood

  • [TheStoriesOfTop7] Tree spirit - Takayuki Fukada / Japan - IAPLC 2018

    Although there are many entries with the composition divided into three sections by driftwood pieces, we can draw a line between this layout and the rest in light of the impression given and manner of expression. This layout gives a brighter impression with the central driftwood piece only slightly angled in order to receive more light, the use of white cosmetic sand, and open spaces and red-color stem plants viewed through driftwood branches. The driftwood in good thickness create the layout's dynamic ambience

  • [TheStoriesOfTop7] Towards The Sun - Nguyen Minh Toan / VietNam - IAPLC 2018

    The Gold prize-winning layout is acclaimed with its strong sense of depth created by the dynamic concave composition. The view of the deep valley eroded by floods with a sinkhole behind it is the highlight of the layout, and the schooling fish and ripples on the water's surface create a sensation as if the land once again sunk under the water. The layout is elaborately crafted with much care put into the details, but has less challenging plant arrangement with a common combination of mosses and epiphytic plants

  • [TheStoriesOfTop7] Yururi (relaxing) - Hironori Handa / Japan - IAPLC 2018

    This year's IAPLC Grand Prix goes to an authentic Nature Aquarium style layout. Among the reasons for this work's success is the creator's high aspiration in the layout style, that is built upon the basics of a planted layout. Bringing out the beauty of plant clusters through plant arrangement is the key principle, or basics of planted layout. This layout showcases healthy and beautiful clusters of both sun-loving plants, such as stem plants, and shade plants, such as Cryptocoryne. The composition is in the classic triangular form. The creator achieved a very powerful, and persuasive aquascape, that goes beyond aquascapes of eccentric compositions, by perfecting the compositional balance and the arrangement of aquatic plants. This is a stately planted layout with the spirit of Takashi Amano, founder of Nature Aquarium