WORLD RANKING 0005

‘Synergy’

Matthew Israel Manes, Philippines

Dimensions: 120x45x45cm

Plants: Micranthemum sp. ‘Monte Carlo’, Hemianthus callitrichoides, Schismatoglottis prietoi, Glossostigma elatinoides, Bucephalandra sp. ‘Mini Phantom’, Bucephalandra sp., Bucephalandra sp. ‘Angel

Tears’, Marsilea crenata, Vesicularia montagnei, Riccardia chamedryfolia, Hydrocotyle tripartita ‘mini’, Rotala rotundifolia ‘Colorata’, Hemianthus micranthemoides, Ludwigia arcuata.

Fish: Petitella bleheri var., Otocinclus sp., Neocaridina sp., Nalentina natalensis

IAPLC notes: The first Bronze Prize went to an aquascape that showcased some impressive, exposed layered-rock surfaces. By arranging materials to make them look like a valley with rock cliffs rising to the left and right, creating the central space and placing stones of the same shape with different sizes, a sense of perspective is well-expressed. When relying on a novel geological expression, as is seen in this aquascape, it is hard to successfully combine aquatic plants. However, by planting Bucephalandra on the outer midsection of the rocks, it was carefully crafted not to give just an impression of cliffs.

The red stem plants that can be seen a little in the central space are questionable in terms of maintaining the landscape, but they are effectively used here as an expression of a distant view.

Nathan says: I have to agree about the use of stem plants in the middle ‘distance’ portion of the tank — they’ll be a maintenance nightmare needing chopping every few days. This layout is reminiscent of a former Grand Prix winner, with tips of the hat to a central, distant vanishing point and strong perspective angles. While the back and the sides are magnificently maintained, the perfectionist in me is scowling a little at the centre foreground, which seems a little sparse.