2025 KIAC

Individual comment

Selcuk Durmaz (Türkiye) 
Congratulations on your beautiful work.It's a true rainforest simulation. It's incredibly humid, sultry, and green. The vegetation is worthy of the name "Kalimantan." The moss on the wood isn't a single species; it's a mix of different moss species, creating the texture of ancient tree bark. The dark cave entrance on the left gives the impression of a continuation of the forest. The aquarium is almost entirely green. There's little in the way of vibrant or surprising color tones. I think the photography and post-editing were unfortunate. For example, this deficiency was particularly evident in the white sand used for the foreground. Overexposure resulted in a blown light.Congratulations again. 

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
This work makes excellent use of the intricate details of driftwood to present a well-structured layout. The rough texture of the wood is naturally softened by the gentle forms and coloration of the aquatic plants, resulting in a harmoniously balanced composition. Adding a slightly wider variety of aquatic plants could enhance the visual depth, but even in its current state, the layout is highly complete and impressive.

Josh Sim (Malaysia) 
Very beautifully design layout with very good composition. A natural forest atmosphere is nice created with a touch of the mysterious feel. I would like to see a better variety or plants and colors, as this layout is predominantly moss. The plants at the foreground are also looking a little too “easy”. A fantastic layout nevertheless. 

Individual comment

Ismael Aguilar (Spain) 
Excellent work. A perfect, immaculate forest, with plants arranged and prepared as if for inspection. It feels more like a garden than a jungle, and this very neatness can become a negative aspect, as it suggests a lack of naturalness and an excess of human intervention. Even so, it is a great piece, and the creator deserves full credit. I recommend reflecting on this aspect for future works. Congratulations.

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
This work demonstrates an excellent representation of a forest-like atmosphere through the sophisticated use of driftwood. The multilayered details clearly reflect the creator’s dedication and craftsmanship, leaving a strong impression on the viewer. Thank you for presenting such an impressive piece.

Gloria Ciriello (Italy) 
I particularly appreciated this work for its naturalness and biodiversity, as well as the richness of details across the different layers. The composition is excellent thanks to the contrasts, the color scheme, and the visual vanishing point. 

Selcuk Durmaz (Türkiye) 
Congratulations on your beautiful work. "Spring," as befits its name, is a fresh, vibrant, and energetic composition, with vibrant color transitions. It resembles a sunny, refreshing clearing rather than the depths of a forest. The red and orange stem plants scattered throughout the space perfectly reflect the "Spring" theme. The connection between the two sides and the branches above creates a natural frame, focusing the viewer towards the center. The design is quite bright. The background below could have used slightly darker areas to enhance the sense of depth. The path to the center is a bit narrow, and it begins to be obstructed by vegetation, which slightly distorts the perception of depth. The biggest risk in this type of installation is leaving the center empty, but here the trees in the background fill that void. The connection between the ground plants and the hanging roots on the right side could have been a bit more controlled; the atmosphere appears a bit chaotic. Congratulations again.

Josh Sim (Malaysia) 
It is a nice forest aquascape and I love the empty space created in the middle of the layout, this empty space is very beautiful and it give the overall layout a nice feeling. But the layout concept feels a little too "predictable" and I wish that the end point can be slightly shifted to the left to give the layout a better balance.


Individual comment

Josh Sim (Malaysia) 
The lines of the rocks and the schooling of the fish make it a very dynamic picture, and I can relate it to the title “Escape” especially with the perfectly schooling fishes. However, I find it slightly pity that the creator did not further utilize the beautiful lines and texture of the rocks and make it more prominent. The main structure is a little too bulky and it somewhat reduces the flow of the concept. I could imagine reducing the rock slightly and arrange them in such a way that they show more lines to further enhance the flow. 

Selcuk Durmaz (Türkiye) 
Congratulations on your beautiful work."Rockwork":The creation of a canyon/cliff atmosphere by layering horizontal slate rocks looks good. The horizontal lines of the rocks add an incredible sense of speed and movement to the tank. The transition between the void on the left and the mass on the right is a bit harsh. However, the orderly arrangement of the rocks seems to detract somewhat from the natural feel.Congratulations again.

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
The unique composition gives the impression of nature dancing in motion. The schooling fish further enhance this lively atmosphere, and the placement of aquatic plants successfully reflects the artist’s intent. It is a beautiful and expressive piece.

Individual comment

Selcuk Durmaz (Türkiye) 
Congratulations on your beautiful work.A very dense and detailed work, the metaphor of its title (Dragon) derived from the curving and aggressive structure of the logs. A chaotic yet controlled interpretation of a classic Wood-Based style. A composition that tells a story, rather than a chaotic appearance created by gluing together hundreds of small pieces. The path appears very natural, not just with sand but also with small stones scattered throughout. The light from the cave void in the background shines like a beacon of hope in that dark forest. The photography and subsequent editing were professionally done. The upper right side is very dense and dark. The moss on the log could have been pruned to enhance the feeling. Some detail is lost. Congratulations again.

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
The irregular arrangement of the driftwood creates a distinctive atmosphere and effectively conveys the feel of a natural underwater environment. The selection and placement of aquatic plants enhance this natural impression, resulting in a well-balanced composition. While many aquascapers tend to prefer thick, high-impact pieces of driftwood, this layout achieves a more subtle and natural expression through the thoughtful combination of multiple smaller pieces. It is a highly impressive and well-crafted work. 

Ismael Aguilar (Spain) 
Excellent work. Situated between chaos and order, between natural and artificial, this piece captures my attention. Some viewers may not like it at first because the layout needs space to breathe, allowing the eye to rest and analyze each element carefully. Yet it has a naturalness that draws you in and invites you to enjoy it. Congratulations.

Hyoungjoo Jeon (Korea) 
Beatiful!. The relatively thin driftwood is arranged in an irregular flow but naturally well. The expression of the path is also good to create a naturalistic effect. The difference between the light and dark colors in the background also adds depth to this piece. The irregularity is well organized. Congratulations on your wonderful work.

Gloria Ciriello (Italy) 
Beautiful interweaving of lines among the various elements, very good use of space. Perhaps a bit too rich, on the verge of making it chaotic.

Josh Sim (Malaysia) 
The only thing that I am not too sure about this layout: the long wood on the bottom left side with moss growing on it. This wood has become the accidental “focal point” of this layout and grab too much attention – unnecessarily. I would really think that this layout will become better without this piece of wood.


Individual comment

Takayuki Fukada (Japan)  
This is a wonderful piece that beautifully combines the rich colours of the plants and a wide variety of species. I can clearly see that the artist has taken great care to maintain and manage the plantings carefully in order to keep all of these plants in beautiful harmony. Perhaps this author truly loves plants. As for the overall composition, the background is mostly blocked by plants, so I think it would be better to leave more space in the background to remove the feeling of oppression.

Ismael Aguilar (Spain)  
Excellent work. Above all, the planting and atmosphere of the piece are impressive, attracting viewers with their freshness and vitality and inviting exploration of every corner. This is a great example of how red plants contrasted with green create an extremely natural and beautiful landscape. Brightening the vanishing point a bit more could have enhanced the overall impact. As a minor note, some areas require more pruning. Congratulations. 

Gloria Ciriello (Italy)  
I really like the use of contrasting colours. The positioning of the fish is also very good.

Josh Sim (Malaysia)  
The use of needle-like red plants at the vanishing point is something. 

Jaesun Cho (Korea)  
This work delivers a striking impression through its bold use of red aquatic plants. In aquascaping, heavy use of red species is often avoided and has long been treated as an unwritten rule, yet this layout breaks that convention with confidence. It evokes the feeling of an underwater sunset, embodying the artistic pursuit of freshness and originality. A highly impressive work—thank you for presenting such a remarkable piece.

Steven Chong (USA) 
There may be different opinions on how "closed off" this layout feels, but the hallow of red and the intimacy of the space in this layout really draws me in. 

Individual comment

Selcuk Durmaz (Türkiye) 
Congratulations on your beautiful work.It's an epic, cinematic shot. It's as if we're looking down at the view from beneath a giant fallen tree. It's a truly magnificent piece. The massive log above and the trees to the sides create a natural frame. The gray stones in the foreground, combined with the white sand, appear a bit harsh. More small, broken stones would soften it. The far left corner looks a bit like dead space; it's too dark.Congratulations again.

Hyoungjoo Jeon (Korea) 
This is an exquisite use of light and dark. The use of shadows, especially with the driftwood, is very good. Also, the placement of the driftwood is unbalanced, as if it was pre-calculated, but it looks more natural. It’s a shame about the details in the foreground, but it’s a great piece of work. Congratulations. 

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
In aquascaping, the use of shadows plays a crucial role in establishing mood and visual strength. This work employs shadows effectively, resulting in a powerful and memorable impression. The clustered small stones are slightly unfortunate, but they do not significantly affect the overall harmony. The selection and placement of aquatic plants are also well executed.

Josh Sim (Malaysia) 
I like the unusual composition, it does not seem balance but I think that is what make it interesting. The slightly imbalance arrangement of the main structure is adding some dynamism to the layout and I find that very attractive. One area that I feel can be done differently: the small rocks accumulated at the foreground, I find these rocks making the tank looks very "unfinished" and "newbie". I think they are being too casual and lacks the cohesiveness with the overall layout. 

Individual comment

Josh Sim (Malaysia) 
This rock layout is special in a way that it makes me feels like I am in the bottom of a valley or riverbed and looking up! Although the creator uses a lot of rocks and created a big "wall" across the layout, but it surprisingly does not look very flat or congested, I think this is because the clever use of shadow to soften the rock and only show just enough rock surfaces to give it a necessary texture and body. I think this is the success factor of this layout. I usually do not like "cave" design but in this layout, I find the caves, not one of two of them, very effectively balance the layout, without these 2 caves that counter the big opening spot on the top, this layout would have been quite imbalanced. I feel that overall this is an amazing layout with some innovation element in creating an atmosphere that we don’t see often. Congratulations. 

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
This work demonstrates a perfect balance—neither excessive nor lacking in any way. Despite the minimal use of fine details, the layout never feels empty or unfinished, and the underwater scenery is beautifully and naturally composed. The selection and placement of aquatic plants are particularly exquisite, contributing to its high level of completeness. Without relying on dramatic elements, the piece leaves a strong impression rooted in its sheer perfection, placing it among my top selections. Thank you for this beautiful work, and congratulations. 

Selcuk Durmaz (Türkiye) 
Congratulations on your beautiful work.A successful cave design. It gives the impression of looking up from underwater, at the light. The use of red plants is strategic. Furthermore, the lack of pruning could perhaps be more accurately described as a time constraint. The rock arrangement is very bold. The "bridge" structure at the top emphasizes the dark space below. The cave entrance on the left is a bit too empty and dark. A small detail could have been added there. Congratulations again.

Hyoungjoo Jeon (Korea) 
This is a great piece of work. The texture of the Stone works very well with the piece. The placement of the culms is very natural, creating two caves. The reflection of the water surface creates a large cave and the gradient of red aquatic plants completes the piece. The use of aquatic plants is relatively sparse, yet effective. This is a beautiful example of restraint. Congratulations on a wonderful piece of work.

Tereza Lazar (Ukraine) 
Incredible work, one of my favorites! The play of light is absolutely mesmerizing — it feels as if you’ve stepped into a hidden underwater cave, surrounded by vibrant colors. Sunlight streaming through the cave opening fills the scene with a warm, magical glow, creating a cozy and enchanting atmosphere. The fish are perfectly placed, bringing the composition to life. Beautiful perspective, healthy plants, and overall artistic mastery make this piece truly breathtaking. 

Individual comment

Selcuk Durmaz (Türkiye) 
Congratulations on your beautiful work.The star of this design is definitely the floating plants. The umbrella effect created by the red leaves on the water's surface gives the tank the feel of a tropical river. However, would it have been a good decision to choose different plant species for the bottom of the left and right areas?Congratulations again.

Agussalim Jamauddin (Indonesia) 
I was very impressed with the plant selection. The tiger lotus plant signifies a true river ecosystem. The addition of the dwonoi plant emphasizes the underwater conditions. This is true underwater life.

Josh Sim (Malaysia) 
Beautiful underwater atmosphere created here! The use of lotus is very nice, only highlighting the underneath of the lotus leaves and it gives a nice feeling of scenery under the water. However, I would think that a little bit more "ambitious" by using bigger size leaf in from and smaller size leaf at the back would have elevated this layout in terms of depth and perspective – although I perfectly understood that it is n0t easy to achieve that, just a wild suggestion. 

Hyoungjoo Jeon (Korea) 
Lotus fills the sky beautifully. The lotus makes this piece shine even more. In addition to the beauty of the lotus, the placement of the driftwood and the stone is also very well done. Thank you for this wonderful piece.

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
This work beautifully captures the atmosphere of an underwater environment. Although the stones and driftwood are slightly obscured by the aquatic plants, the composition remains aesthetically complete and visually appealing. The selection and placement of the plants are excellent, offering a strong reference for how to portray natural underwater scenery. Thank you for presenting such a fine work.

Tereza Lazar (Ukraine) 
This piece captivated me with its plants. The red Nymphaeas give the aquarium a special charm. At first glance, the work may seem simple, but these Nymphaeas make it incredibly cozy and unique — they add subtle accents and blend beautifully into the aquarium’s color palette. Watching this composition feels like diving underwater, where silence and calm prevail. Everything harmonizes perfectly, creating a truly cozy and serene atmosphere. 

Individual comment

Ismael Aguilar (Spain) 
Excellent work. It’s hard to say whether this is a forest, a landscaper, or an underwater layout, but what’s certain is that it is a natural, lively, and powerful piece. I especially highlight the central work, which avoids conventional approaches in creating the path leading to the vanishing point. The terraces and plant coverage are cleverly used to guide the viewer through every inch of the aquarium before escaping toward the light. Congratulations.

Gloria Ciriello (Italy)
Beautiful interplay of light and shadow, and of the pieces of wood that create a frame wrapping around the visual vanishing point. Unfortunately, the fish do not stand out. 

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
This piece showcases a harmonious balance between natural expression and refined detail. The multiple structural layers create excellent depth, resulting in a stable and well-crafted composition. The selection and placement of aquatic plants are also beautiful and well balanced. Thank you for presenting such a fine work, and congratulations on the outcome.

Josh Sim (Malaysia) 
Nice perspective was created through the tunnel-like passage way and the layering was also done beautifully. 2 areas I feel can be done differently: 1) The flame moss at the end point was shaped too artificially, should allow sometime for them to grow more naturally. 2) The big "step" at the center foreground is too flat and too uniform, perhaps the height of this "step" should be made slightly irregular with certain broken or lower area. 

Individual comment

Selcuk Durmaz (Türkiye) 
Congratulations on your beautiful work.As its name suggests, it's a tank that evokes the wind. The roots and the direction of the water flow are strongly depicted. The contrast between the dark log pile on the left and the bright area on the right back makes the tank appear much deeper than it is. The only shortcomings in this tank, in my opinion, are the obvious flaws in pruning and plant placement.Congratulations again.

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
This work visually captures the sensation of flowing water with great effectiveness. The consistent directional lines of the wood and the supporting aquatic plants in the background blend harmoniously, successfully expressing the dynamic movement of an underwater scene. Although the large wood piece on the left appears slightly clustered, the overall composition remains excellent. 

Fabian Kussakawa (Brazil) 
A striking impact of vibrant green. The use of Eleocharis against the flow could be reversed to better match the direction of the hardscape, which was skillfully executed by the aquascaper. A slightly reduced amount of Bolbitis might also provide greater definition to the foreground. The white sand in the foreground appears very straight, without side variations, which could add more naturalness. The vanishing point could also be broader, with stronger backlight illumination to enhance depth. Nevertheless, it is a beautiful example of a well-crafted layout, especially when considering the overall composition.

Hyoungjoo Jeon (Korea) 
The driftwood on the left and right sides is dark and high, while the center back is light and low to add depth, and the flow of driftwood, aquatic plants, and schools of fish express the title well. I would have liked to see the photo retouched to better capture the feeling of exhilaration. Nice flow. Thank you. 

Individual comment

Selcuk Durmaz (Türkiye) 
Congratulations on your beautiful work.I see it as a blend of classic "Nature Aquarium" style and diorama techniques. The massive, old tree root on the left is the dominant character. The log structure on the left is magnificent. The details convey a sense of age. The red plants in the background create a beautiful complementary color balance with the dark green moss and wood in the foreground. The photography and subsequent editing are superb. I really liked the fish selection. The right side is a bit too light. The branch extending from the log to the right could have been a bit more emphasized. The vague path and path reflect indecision.Congratulations again.

Gloria Ciriello (Italy) 
Original and well-crafted hardscape. I like the choice and variety of plants used. Very nice work! 

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
One of the key evaluation criteria in aquascaping is the cleanliness of driftwood and stones. Layouts maintained without algae typically receive high scores, and this work exemplifies that standard. The well-maintained driftwood reflects the creator’s meticulous care and dedication. The selection and placement of aquatic plants are also exceptional, resulting in a composition that is nearly perfect in its completeness. Thank you for presenting such an excellent work.

Josh Sim (Malaysia) 
It is a nice concept but I just feel that it is highly imbalance. Usually if we do such design, it should be a triangular composition but this layout is not triangular, therefore it looks quite strange. I would really make the right side lower to form the triangular composition and it should look much better. 

Individual comment

Takayuki Fukada (Japan) 
My first impression of this piece was that it was very well balanced overall and well done in terms of both composition and planting. This means that this work has few weak points, which is a great strength in a judging process where points are deducted. On the other hand, when judging using a points system like mine having few weaknesses means that there are no strong appeals for better or worse. Yes, personally I would like this piece to have a stronger personality and present a more original worldview. 

Hyoungjoo Jeon (Korea) 
The well-calculated placement of the driftwood creates a sense of stability but does not create a strong impact. The placement of the pinnadifida and the use of bolbitis are good choices, but I think this piece could have been ranked higher if it had a stronger impact.

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
This work establishes a stable structure through the well-placed driftwood arranged across each layer. The detailed elements are impressive, providing numerous focal points throughout the composition. The selection and arrangement of aquatic plants are also harmonious and refined. Incorporating slightly thinner pieces of driftwood to enhance the vanishing point could have added even greater depth, but the layout is excellent as it stands. Thank you for presenting such a remarkable piece. 

Individual comment

Agussalim Jamauddin (Indonesia) 
The fish are very small which makes this work so wide and big. Hygrophila Pinatifida, hair grass and Hermianthus Cuba can be that small it requires regular and experienced trimming. the reflection on the left and right looks so real, i don't see it is a reflection from the glass. i am very amazed by the selection of fish and plants. very perfect work.

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
Although the arrangement of stones and aquatic plants may appear simple at first glance, this piece elevates that simplicity into something exceptionally beautiful. It represents a textbook example of stone-based aquascaping, utilizing refined shading and reflection techniques to create a sense of greater depth and expansiveness. The structure and balance are outstanding, showcasing mastery of the fundamentals and a high level of craftsmanship. Thank you for this excellent work.

Steven Chong (USA) 
While plain in composition with some awkward/poorly balanced composition work, what would have been a sub-par layout for me was elevated to competitive in this tight setting due to the great skill with plants. Few works have as strong a control of both thickness and thinness, and use the scale of the tank to effectively show off each species selected. Skills are simple but subtle here. 

Josh Sim (Malaysia) 
This is one of my favorite layout in 2025! The creator created a GIANT in a 65L tank that most of us that having bigger tank can only dream of. In the cruel aquascaping contest world, using a small tank to fight among the bigger tanks has a clear disadvantage, so I really would like to give credit to this creator for using a small tank and created a truly remarkable layout that stands tall among the bigger tanks. "Perfection" may be a word that is over-used but I could not find another better word to described this tank. If there is anything that I could suggest to do it differently, I would say the rocks at the foreground of the right side is looking a little too flat and straight, take out a few rocks to create a more irregular shape will be better in my opinion, just a small little suggestion. 

Selcuk Durmaz (Türkiye) 
Congratulations on your beautiful work.Although it's a small 60 cm tank, it looks like a giant canyon thanks to perspective tricks. The plants appear to be in good health. The light, either during photography or after the editing, was a bit too bright, swallowing the details.Congratulations again.

Hyoungjoo Jeon (Korea) 
I love this work. The placement of the chief, which shows depth but is also stable, the choice and condition of the aquatic plants, the choice and schooling of the fish, the reflections and ripples on the left and right sides of the water, everything is excellent. Thank you for the great work. 

Individual comment

Selcuk Durmaz (Türkiye)  
Congratulations on your beautiful work.A classic, spacious, and hopeful design. The central pathway opens to the light behind, to "renewal." It wouldn't be wrong to call it a modern interpretation of the "Ryoboku" I've seen and admired recently. The V-shaped opening is beautifully projected onto the front. It's a symmetrical yet natural structure that doesn't strain the eye and focuses directly on the center. The water ripples in the photo are captured very professionally, with light hitting the base. The end of the log in the upper right is very blunt (it looks like a saw mark). It should have been broken more naturally. I wonder which plant should have been chosen instead of the ground plants on the far left.Congratulations again. 

Josh Sim (Malaysia)  
Very attractive water surface reflection and photography angle. But i find the overall wood arrangement lacks a little bit of natural feeling. The woods are forming too many lines and sharp angles that go against the flow.  

Jaesun Cho (Korea)  
This work captures the essence of an underwater environment exceptionally well, with the wood arrangement guiding the viewer’s gaze naturally toward the vanishing point. The selection and placement of aquatic plants are also excellent, contributing to a high overall level of completion. Adding a touch of red aquatic plants could offer additional visual interest, but the piece is already beautiful as it is.

Steven Chong (USA) 
What a powerful composition, the parts LEAPING out at me, with so much emergy and rigor! Unfortunately, in a contest at this level of intense technical execution I can't help but notice things such as the foreground line and hairgrass right in front feeling last-minute-adjusted and unpolished, and the "view point" through the wood (the most important part of the composition) being only flat flame moss with only a tiny fraction of the finesse demonstrated elsewhere in the work. This part needs to be STRONGER, not WEAKER than other portions. 

Individual comment

Ismael Aguilar (Spain) 
Excellent work. It is a clear example that even a simple hardscape, without grand pretensions, can create an impactful piece when following the basic principles of aquascaping: composition of planes, depth, contrast, vanishing points, proper planting, and well-positioned schools of fish. Such a work can capture the attention of most viewers. Congratulations. 

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
This work showcases clearly defined multi-layered depth, creating a rhythmic flow and a beautifully directed vanishing point. The schooling of the fish is particularly impressive, and many aquascapers understand how challenging it is to capture such a moment in a photograph. The creator’s dedication is evident throughout the piece, and the selection and arrangement of aquatic plants further enhance its overall quality. 

Individual comment

Agussalim Jamauddin (Indonesia) 
Very good. With the strong character of driftwood, the details are perfect, plus the dark shadows are very good. Combining various plants makes it more natural. It's just that in the photo contest, the editing of the use of green is as similar as possible to green in nature.

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
This work showcases a beautiful harmony between the intricate driftwood detailing and the refreshing coloration of the aquatic plants. The selection and arrangement of the plants are excellent, and the overall color balance is stable and well composed. Adding a few more red-toned plants could potentially enhance the visual rhythm, but the layout is already highly impressive as it stands. Thank you for presenting such a wonderful work. 

Takayuki Fukada (Japan) 
Placing large pieces of driftwood on both sides to emphasize the central space is an orthodox composition, but the balance between the left and right sides is perfectly calculated, which alone shows the artist's extremely high skill. Unfortunately, the photo is a little too dark which makes the shadows look black making it difficult to see the details of the piece and diminishing the overall impression. Since the artist has put so much effort into creating the piece, please don't make the photo too dark.

Selcuk Durmaz (Türkiye) 
Congratulations on your beautiful work.Dark, gothic, and mysterious. A style where shadows dominate over light. It evokes that suffocating yet peaceful silence underwater. Due to the darkness within the tank, the eye has little clear point of light or escape route. It's unclear where it ends. Bolbitis and dark mosses are the perfect choices for this "Dark Forest" theme.Congratulations again. 

Individual comment

Hyoungjoo Jeon (Korea) 
The aquatic plants flowing down from the driftwood naturally expresses the passage of time. On the other hand, the path and the stones in the center are too clean and interrupt the flow of time. The positioning and grouping of the fish works very well with the overall composition and adds to the beauty of the work. A beautiful work! 

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
The combination of moss and aquatic plants creates a beautifully natural harmony. The texture resembles the brushstrokes of an oil painting, lending the layout a distinctly artistic atmosphere. The driftwood arrangement is also refined and elegant. This piece demonstrates exceptional sensibility—thank you for presenting such a wonderful work. 

Individual comment

Steven Chong (USA) 
This layout is a tricky one to evaluate. On first glance, it seems flat and lacking on impact— but on close inspection one can tell that in person this layout must have a lot of power, dimension, and spatial sophistication. The planting condition and natural atmosphere are also excellent. By all measure, this should be a top layout, but I feel the photography or editing has washed out the oranges, reds, and browns that should be able to be drawn out from these wood pieces and bryophyte species. With just a bit of those warm colors the work would show the real depth of dimension and "speak up." I love creative stylistic choices, and love the black background here— but washing out all the warm colors probably was not the best for this work. 

Hyoungjoo Jeon (Korea) 
As the title suggests, the color scheme seems to be the artist’s intention. There actually seems to be an open space in the center of the work, but the photo doesn’t do it justice. I wonder what a brighter, warmer color temperature would have looked like. The placement and composition of the driftwood is very good. It’s a great work.

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
This is a beautiful work that effectively conveys an underwater atmosphere. The use of a black background enhances the sense of stillness and reinforces the overall visual stability. Although a slightly smaller central piece of wood might have introduced an additional layer of depth, the current composition remains thoroughly captivating. 

Individual comment

Selcuk Durmaz (Türkiye) 
Congratulations on your beautiful work.Like a multi-layered riverbed section, this easily reflects on the opposite side. The work, dominated by horizontal lines and featuring every shade of green, is quite peaceful. While I thought the round moss balls looked unnatural, I suddenly realized they were meant to be there. I think the design is very well thought out. The photos are excellent. The choice of black neon is very well thought out. As I examine it, I struggle to find a clear focal point within the tank, thinking, "I should be looking right there." I've come to the conclusion that it's a bit confusing. Congratulations again. 

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
Creating an impactful structure using only thin wood and stones is a challenging task, and this work clearly demonstrates the artist’s technical proficiency. The combination of small elements produces a strong visual presence, and the expressive approach is unique. It might have been even more compelling with a slightly stronger emphasis on one side rather than symmetry, but the current composition is already beautiful.

Josh Sim (Malaysia) 
This layout is very much affected (negatively) by the fissidens on the rocks (all same size) that is all over the foreground. This is a really poor execution because it looks artificial and unnatural. Fissidens should be tied on rocks with different shapes and sizes and cluster them in small groups, not scattering them evenly. Other than this, the other part is quite nice, I especially love the top part of the layout. 

Individual comment

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
This work showcases a stable structure and solid compositional balance. It is cleanly arranged without unnecessary elements, and the selection and placement of aquatic plants are excellent. Overall, it is a highly refined and well-executed piece. Thank you for presenting this wonderful work. 

Josh Sim (Malaysia) 
I feel that cover up the hole or cave on the right side could be better, as this 2nd opening area does not contribute much to the layout and it is looking quite ordinary without interesting detail. Keeping only one open area at the center will also help viewers to focus better and make the overall layout more natural. 

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