Individual comment

Selcuk Durmaz (Türkiye) 
Congratulations on your beautiful work. This is by far the most extraordinary and engineering-intensive piece in this competition. I admire your courage and the sheer size of the rocks used, considering the size of the aquarium. It resembles the ceiling of an underwater cave, making the viewer wonder how the massive rocks above are held together. The lines and curves in the rocks are aesthetically pleasing, creating the impression of a riverbed. The small space between the two massive rocks heightens the tension and captures the eye. I think the plant choices are very positive; different plant species would have diminished the inspiration. The photos of the fish and the arrangement are excellent. I wonder why the color and finer particle size of the sand in the foreground weren't used, and why the additional sand didn't use tiny pebbles that matched the rock textures. Congratulations again.

Fabian Kussakawa (Brazil) 
The composition shows boldness combined with solid technical control, especially in the handling of lighting and the use of reflection as a visual expansion element. The mirrored effect broadens the depth field and enhances the overall impact of the piece, strengthening the three-dimensional perception  a very well-applied resource. From a technical-judging standpoint, the most noticeable point is the front area with the smaller rocks. Their overly aligned placement and uniform size create an artificial feel that slightly breaks the naturality expected in aquascaping compositions. Likewise, the foreground plants positioned on the white sand could have been more refined, whether in species selection or planting detail. On the other hand, the plant work on the upper rock structures is clearly the highlight of the piece. There is balance, healthy plant growth, and a harmonious transition between the green masses and the rocky framework, demonstrating technical care and well-defined aesthetic intention. Overall, the work reveals solid technique, good aesthetic understanding, and a clear pursuit of innovation. Congratulations on striving to surprise and elevate your composition.

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
This piece is so distinctive that one could identify the artist even without additional information. The unique combination of classical and postmodern aesthetics presents a compelling vision of the future direction of contemporary aquascaping. The boldly arranged stones create a sense of tension while maintaining balance, capturing the viewer’s attention for an extended time. Every plant and stone is placed with clear intention, yet appears natural, demonstrating exceptional craftsmanship. Thank you for this remarkable work. 

Hyoungjoo Jeon (Korea) 
Reflection' is completing the work. The uneasy placement of the largest annotation and the shadow formed by its chief creates a sense of uneasiness, but the uneasiness is actually a positive force in this work. I think that the precariousness of being an artist is also an opportunity to reflect and become a more advanced artist. It is a creative work full of unique ideas. Congratulations.

Ismael Aguilar (Spain) 
Excellent work. A magical and original hardscape. The creator demonstrates extraordinary creativity. Placing such a huge rock in balance, in a way that its reflection completes the missing part of its form, must not have been easy—truly extraordinary. The planting is also a demonstration of creativity and a test of survival, as many plants are in difficult or unusual locations. Congratulations.

Agussalim Jamauddin (Indonesia) 
I really like this stone balancing idea; it's very unique and unusual. It focuses on how a very large stone can stand in balance. The type of stone is also very unique—I've never seen it before. The character of the stone has lines that follow the curve of the stone, adding a touch of detail.

Tereza Lazar (Ukraine) 
Wow! In my opinion, this piece is incredibly creative. The composition immediately draws attention with its uniqueness and harmony. The placement of the stones is so thoughtful that it creates a sense of a fantastical world. I sincerely thank the artist — admiring this work brought me truly positive emotions.

Gloria Ciriello (Italy) 
I appreciated the originality of the hardscape and the sense of precarious balance in the structure.

Josh Sim (Malaysia) 
My goodness, how can someone balance that rock! The title that first came to my mind when I saw this layout was “Gravity”, if the creator uses the title “Gravity” instead of “Reflection”, I would give few more extra points. With such an incredible hardscape arrangement and the remarkable choice of rocks, the rest become secondary important. I think it is a design composition that we have not seen before. Congratulation to this bold idea and genius skill level – a layout that will definitely be remembered and talked about for a long time. 

Individual comment

Takayuki Fukada (Japan) 
It is a very powerful composition of driftwood, and in terms of the weightiness of a piece, which is something I personally value, I felt this piece overwhelmed the others. On the other hand, there are 2 points that I feel need improvement. First, there is too little space in the tank and second, the plants are not very varied and look a bit monotonous. If the author were to be conscious of these things and improve them, this work would have no weaknesses whatsoever.

Selcuk Durmaz (Türkiye) 
First of all, congratulations on this beautiful work. It has the air of an ancient, untouched, and mystical forest. The design makes excellent use of shadows to create a dramatic atmosphere. The delicate root details hanging from the upper branches perfectly convey a sense of lived-in and wildness. The dark cave/tunnel entrance (negative space) in the center triggers the viewer's curiosity and adds depth. The school of fish (photographer's skill) passing through that very space enhances the sense of movement. The lower right and left corners of the design are a bit too dark. This can cause details to be lost. The opening in the center works well as a focal point, but it could have been supported by a bit more lighting from behind. The transition between the sand and the plants in the foreground is a bit harsh; it could have been softened with more rubble. Congratulations again.

Josh Sim (Malaysia) 
It is a very nicely executed layout but it is also an exact replication of a past layout – in a high-level international contest like this, I have to say a direct replica is not the way to go if we are aiming for high ranking. The creator clearly has the excellent technical skill so I would encourage him/her to try something more original in future. 

Agussalim Jamauddin (Indonesia) 
Although the layout is one I've seen often and is very common, it still creates a good impression. I still feel like I'm in a rainforest. It's a good job, but it needs a better impression and idea.

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
This work clearly reflects the significant amount of time and dedication invested by the creator, resulting in a layout of high overall quality. Its abundance of fine details serves as a strong competitive advantage. Thank you for presenting such an excellent piece.

Tereza Lazar (Ukraine) 
This is undoubtedly one of my favorite works! The vines, covered in moss, create an incredible sense of a living forest, while the variety of plants adds depth and richness to the composition. The carefully chosen fish bring the scene to life and emphasize the aquarium’s dynamic flow. It’s clear that the artist paid attention to every detail. Truly a masterpiece — bravo!

Gloria Ciriello (Italy) 
I appreciated the richness of details and the variety of plants. Excellent use of the different depth layers.

Fabian Kussakawa (Brazil) 
Another monochromatic layout that stands out for its refined finishing and overall quality. Although it follows a concept that has been used for some years, it still delivers solid visual impact,  though it could benefit from a touch more boldness. However, the execution quality shows that this aquascaper is clearly evolving. The scale of the fish in relation to the rest of the aquarium was very well planned, enhancing the perception of the tank’s size a noteworthy detail. 

Individual comment

Takayuki Fukada (Japan) 
I believe this piece is one of the most elaborate and meticulously produced, and I was also impressed by the attention to detail that went into the lighting of the shooting. The arrangement of driftwood is so amazing that I think it is more a result of the artist's artistic talent than an expression of the pursuit of nature, in other words it is not something that anyone can imitate. If this intricate and elaborate piece were to be given a more substantial quality, I think it would become an incredible piece never before seen.

Selcuk Durmaz (Türkiye) 
Congratulations on your beautiful work.True to its name, it's a dimly lit, mysterious, and very natural riverbed section. A wild interpretation of the "Nature Aquarium" style. The light seems to filter through the trees and hit the ground. The sand isn't just white sand. It's mixed with large and small pebbles, broken stones, and plant fragments. This "dirty" appearance enhances the natural feel. Just a small suggestion: some of the pebbles are too close to the windshield. The log structure on the right looks a bit too blocky, completely obscuring its rear. I wonder if the rhizome plant that appears just behind the tree figure should be there.Congratulations again.

Hyoungjoo Jeon (Korea) 
There are many works with similar colors in recent years. But I'm happy that I can see the driftwood conposition and state of the aquatic plants and the reflection of the water surface on the left and right sides and the ripples on surface of the water are also perfect. Congration! 

Fabian Kussakawa (Brazil) 
The use of vibrant colors is the highlight of this aquarium, especially in contrast with the softer, dimmer lighting. In my view, the fish are slightly large; if they were smaller, the visual impact would be even stronger, and they would follow the layout’s flow more effectively. The use of sand combined with small stones is interesting, though it could benefit from a bit more refinement in finishing. Even so, when it comes to impact, this layout certainly delivers, standing out through the strength of its overall composition. I would consider an even broader opening of the backlight to expand the breathing area of the vanishing point, enhancing the sense of depth. Congratulations on the work, aquascaper.

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
This piece stands out with its well-constructed wood arrangement. The composition leads the viewer’s gaze toward the vanishing point while offering multiple visual points of interest. The selection and placement of aquatic plants, along with the fine detailing, are all excellent. Thank you for presenting this remarkable work.

Josh Sim (Malaysia) 
I love the perfect composition and the reflection on the left and right side. The reflection on the side glasses are created so naturally that it seems like everything is within the tank, it does not look like a reflection at all. That makes the tank looks so much bigger and more 3D. The orange-yellowish tone is also matching very well with the overall dimmer shade of brightness, this combination gives a special mysterious effect and stands out from the rest. 

Individual comment

Fabian Kussakawa (Brazil) 
The forest style is once again represented in this layout. The plant distribution shows good coherence from the background to the midground, creating a structured and harmonious visual flow. However, the plants applied to the driftwood could appear more natural, particularly in the transitions between plant mass and hardscape, which still feel slightly abrupt. Regarding the fauna, an important point must be noted: the acara, although interesting, tend to grow to a size that becomes incompatible with the scale of the layout, potentially affecting proportional balance over time. The smaller fish could also be more delicate and positioned in a more strategic area, as in the final photograph they remained too close to the substrate, reducing their ability to enhance depth perception. Overall, the work demonstrates solid aesthetic intent but would benefit from more rigorous refinement in the details, especially in the foreground and in the integration between the different layers of the aquascape. Even so, it is a layout with clear strengths and evidence of technical growth. Congratulations on your effort and presentation.

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
Works that use driftwood to depict forest-like scenes typically rely on green aquatic plants as the dominant color. In contrast, this piece employs warm-toned aquatic plants to create a fresh and distinctive atmosphere. The uniformly arranged driftwood enhances the overall completeness of the composition, and the placement of the plants is both stable and visually appealing. Although seeing the plants in a more mature state would be interesting, the layout is already beautiful and compelling in its current form. 

Selcuk Durmaz (Türkiye) 
Congratulations on your beautiful work.It's a massive 150cm stage. Depth perception is well-represented. It's not just green; the orange, brown, and red tones are also quite evenly distributed. I like the color scheme. The foreground details are a bit too cluttered. The eye is drawn to the clutter in the foreground while trying to focus on the magnificent forest behind.Congratulations again.

Agussalim Jamauddin (Indonesia) 
The wood at the back is very detailed and dense but still has gaps between the trees which adds to the detail and creates a white color that makes it more comfortable to look at. Although I only saw four fish, the selection of fish types and their sizes gave a very spacious impression for the fish to feel comfortable in the aquarium. Very good work.

Tereza Lazar (Ukraine) 
A very realistic and atmospheric piece — it feels like looking into a real forest. The colors are rich yet beautifully harmonious. The arrangement of the driftwood elegantly emphasizes depth and perspective, while the red plants are skillfully woven into the composition without drawing too much attention to themselves. The fish perfectly complement the color palette. An exceptionally beautiful, cohesive, and artistic work.

Josh Sim (Malaysia) 
Sometime the layout title really makes a different – such as this one. After seeing the title and look at the tank photo, it feels like I am looking at the forest through the glaring sun and it feel special. It is also very innovative to use red stem plant to create this effect at the background, well done. 

Individual comment

Selcuk Durmaz (Türkiye) 
Congratulations on your beautiful work.A veritable riot of color. A joyful, vibrant, and vibrant "Nature" aquarium. It has a problem-free, happy, forest-like atmosphere, befitting its name. There's so much detail, it's hard for the eye to find a single, central object to focus on. It looks a bit cluttered.Congratulations again.

Fabian Kussakawa (Brazil) 
The chromatic contrast is very well defined, creating a pleasant and balanced visual reading. The fish, however, could be positioned in the shaded area or farther in the background, where the light intensity is lower. This choice would increase the stratification of the midground and reinforce the perception of depth, an essential element for compositions of this scale. The isolated rock in the background does not contribute to the structural coherence of the layout; removing it would open space for a more expansive V-shaped vanishing point, enhancing the visual progression toward the back of the aquarium. In the foreground, the excessive symmetry reduces the scene’s dynamism. Introducing micro-pathways, openings, and subtle height variations would help produce more complex layers, especially considering the dimensions of the display (120 × 45 × 45), which allow for richer spatial construction. Even so, this is a well-photographed aquarium, with excellent presentation and strong aesthetic control. 

Takayuki Fukada (Japan) 
The beauty of the plants is particularly striking in this work, with the upper part of the composition being particularly delicately crafted and impressive. What impressed me was the use of red plants. Recently, I've seen a lot of works that use strong reds, but I like how this work uses a pale red that blends into the surrounding scenery, as it is very elegant. The foreground sand area is flat with roughly the same depth, so please remove a few stones from the center to create an opening where the viewer's eye can first enter.

Hyoungjoo Jeon (Korea) 
The overall color of the work is very beautiful. Although it does not have a strong impact, it expresses naturalness through the placement of driftwood, and the condition of aquatic plants, which is the most basic part of aquascape, is also the best in the whole work. It’s just a shame about the placement of the fish. Congratulations on a wonderful work.

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
Aquascapes with an oil-painting-like atmosphere have become more common in recent years, and this piece is an outstanding example of that style. The artist manipulates the aquatic plants as though they were paint, creating a strikingly artistic composition. The flow of the driftwood and the overall structure are flawless, and despite the absence of major hardscape elements, the visual impact is remarkably powerful. The aquascaper’s creativity and technical mastery shine throughout the work. Thank you for this impressive piece, and congratulations. 

Individual comment

Josh Sim (Malaysia) 
What a captivating layout! First of all, the 2 huge arching structures effectively stretching the layout to left and right, creating a beautiful extension effect that made this layout look huge. This arching and curving woods also lead our eyes to the vanishing point, creating perspective and depth a long the way. I admire the artistic sense of this creator in choosing plants and creating a color scheme that is not seen before in aquascaping contest. The well-balanced mixture of colors is so beautiful yet it looks so natural. Every details is well thought off and the presentation of these details are delightful to see and discover. A truly remarkable creation.

Fabian Kussakawa (Brazil) 
The movement of the water column, combined with the colors, gave the layout a painting-like feel, with well-defined strokes shaped by the way the driftwood was arranged. I particularly appreciated the upper half of the composition, where the attention to detail and the care taken for the final photograph are clearly noticeable. However, in the foreground, the plant placement could be more harmonious, aiming for a more cohesive sense of texture, as certain species do not fully contribute to this visual effect. The fish could also be positioned closer to the focal area and would ideally be slightly smaller to enhance the overall balance. Congratulations on the dedication and care invested in your work. 

Takayuki Fukada (Japan) 
The idea of creating a unique driftwood composition that gives the entire landscape a sense of breadth and depth is brilliant. In addition, the balance of light and dark between the strong shadows created by the driftwood and the bright space in the background centered around the vanishing point is incredibly beautiful. However, the plants, especially in the foreground area, look a bit messy and cluttered, so I'd like them to be more carefully organized.

Agussalim Jamauddin (Indonesia) 
I really like the dynamic and harmonious layout. It looks messy, but it's more natural with the strong red of the tiger lotus and the brown of the driftwood. Aquascape isn't just about green; it's about the colors of nature, and this piece reflects that color. I really like the color combination in this layout.

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
This work offers an excellent interpretation of what “natural underwater scenery” should embody. Even the seemingly rough placement of aquatic plants is an intentional expression that faithfully reflects nature, contributing to the ecological mood of the layout. The flow of the driftwood aligns perfectly with the movement of water, creating a visually calming experience and guiding the viewer’s gaze naturally toward the vanishing point. The balance between structural stability and natural expression leaves a lasting impression. Thank you for presenting this remarkable piece. 

Individual comment

Selcuk Durmaz (Türkiye) 
Congratulations on your beautiful work.It's a striking example of "flow." I can feel the force of the wind or the water. It radiates a very spacious, bright, and positive energy. The fact that all the background plants are leaning to the right symbolizes the strong current in the water. This technique adds incredible dynamism to the aquarium. The logs shrink from front to back, increasing depth. The entire design faces the same direction and is a similar color. What would a plant in red or other shades look like? The Bolbitis on the left and right are clearly visible, tucked together. Congratulations again.

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
The intentionally rough arrangement of the driftwood creates an unexpected sense of stability, which is highly impressive. Each layer is defined with strength and clarity, effectively delivering a deep sense of space. The placement and coloration of the aquatic plants are also well balanced. A slightly brighter overall tone could have offered a different atmosphere, but the current lighting appears intentional and successfully reflects the artist’s concept. Thank you for presenting such a remarkable work. 

Hyoungjoo Jeon (Korea) 
The placement of the driftwood is very interesting. I interpret it as a confrontation between two sharp areas, a peaceful ‘Monte Carlo’ in the middle of it, and a journey to find happiness in the midst of conflicts and peace. Congratulations on your wonderful work.

Agussalim Jamauddin (Indonesia) 
A work that requires very high skill. I really like the Monte Carlo plant that goes down indicating that this work is more mature. It would be better to use wood with a larger size from the top to the left diagonally downwards which would create a pretty good focal point but that remains the taste and decision of the creator of the work. I really like unusual ideas but sometimes unusual ideas will make the layout look unnatural.

Josh Sim (Malaysia) 
I like the sharp pointy woods that are facing each other, it has a beautiful tension and a dangerous feeling – like 2 enemies ready to charge at each other. This layout gives me a feeling of chaotic and a fearful tension, so I do not understand why the creator gave it a very calm and harmony title. One area which I think I would like to do differently – the left side of the layout look completely disconnected with the right side. If I cover ¼ of the left side, I feel that the whole layout become better, more compact and more impact.