WORLD RANKING 0003

‘Imagine’

Chan Hee Boon, Malaysia

Dimensions: 120x60x50cm

Plants: Hemianthus callitrichoides ‘Cuba’, Eleocharis sp., Cryptocoryne parva, Bucephalandra sp., Anubias barteri var. ‘nana’, Micranthemum sp. ‘Monte Carlo’, Mini Fissidens, Riccardia graeffei, Vesicularia dubyana, Hemianthus micranthemoides, Rotala ‘Red’, Rotala ‘Green’, Ludwigia inclinata var. ‘verticillata’

Fish: Petitella bleheri, Otocinclus affinis, Crossocheilus oblongus, Caridina multidentata

IAPLC notes: The first Silver Prize went to an aquascape with impressive driftwood pieces jutting out proudly. Similar compositions are often created by gluing stones together, but here the creator took advantage of the distinctive texture of the driftwood and made something that alludes to both wood and rock textures.

In general, compositions that have layout materials sticking out and overhanging tend to give a heavy impression. However, by creating airy, open spaces between the driftwood pieces, the tank carries visual weight without being gloomy or overbearing. The plants behind and on the driftwood help to soften things as well.

Nathan says: Comparing the ‘big three’, it looks as though the judges this year had a prejudice towards high contrasts and weeping plant displays, but here at least we have a layout with many classic elements subtly (and not so subtly) combined. No note is made of the thin path that leads through the centre of this tank, nor the flashes of red produced at the peripheries by stem plants, yet they are there. The use of Rummynose tetra, I suspect, only works because of the open areas. Without those spaces, the fish would be all too distracting.