Here is the second Bronze Prize winning layout using by its gentle wood work. The maker mainly used for the layout, but he has 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 completed 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.
Flood Season /
"Flood Season" by Mr. Quang Minh Nguyen (Vietnam) placed 6th (Bronze prize), with Mr. Shogo Yamaguchi (Japan), Frantisek Kolin (Czech Republic) and Mr. Sergei Kochetov (Russia) scoring it over 200 points. The layout gives us an impression of a moss covered forest landscape, but it also tastefully creates an underwater feeling with tall slender plants and the blue color of the background. The use of fine white decorative sand helps deliver cool comfort of a spring-fed stream. Ideally, the layout could be much more appeal ing if it would have another element to further highlight its underwa ter feeling, in particular silvery bodies of fish. In this context, the choice of fish is indeed crucial in order to achieve better results.
Q: Tell us what you wanted to express with your layout work; layout theme, motif, ideas behind your winning work.
A: Besides my hobby of aquarium, I like trekking mountains and tropical jungles in my country with my friends when being free. During trips, I had chances to experience lives of the nature and found many beautiful landscapes but I really love the landscape of swamps in sunken jungles – set with many mossy fantasy driftwoods – which will drown deeply in the water in the rain season. The aquatic scenery and aquatic lives will change to a new face that is colourful and beautiful. There, seasonal aquatic plants are blooming colourfully and healthfully, and fishes with other lives are also feeling free and healthy in the downstream. That impresses me much, and I would like to express that in my works. Luckily, thanks to the IAPLC judges for highly appreciating my work.
Q: What fascinates or attracts you the most about the planted aquarium hobby?
A: For me, planted aquariums are similar to a real natural aquatic world that minimized in tanks. This attracts me for lively colourful tiny aquatic lives and their variety which are fed and cared by me everyday. I love the feature of species of floras and faunas. The way they live, grow, bear and treat or relate together in tanks makes me relaxed after everyday hard work.
Q: What kind of aquascape do you want to create in the future? Do you have any dreams relating to the aquarium hobby?
A: In the future, I will keep creating my aquasape in natural style. Maybe I will try it with full of rocks or rocks with driftwood again.
