Individual comment

Hyoungjoo Jeon (Korea) 
This is one of the best works you can show in a 60cm wide tank. The steady composition, healthy aquatic plants, the grouping and positioning of the fish, and the use of reflections are excellent. It shows that good work can be done with a small tank. Thank you. 

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
This work demonstrates exceptional quality in the selection, placement, and overall health of the aquatic plants. It represents a textbook-level foundation in aquascaping and serves as an exemplary layout for many to learn from. The piece effectively proves that even a modest-sized tank can deliver ample detail and depth. Thank you for presenting such an excellent work. 

Individual comment

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
The unified coloration of the aquatic plants creates a stable and harmonious atmosphere. Although the reflections on the left and right glass slightly disrupt the overall flow, the layout remains beautifully executed as it is. Thank you for presenting this wonderful work. 

Selcuk Durmaz (Türkiye) 
Congratulations on your beautiful work. There's a stunning "wind" effect. The entire hardscape slopes from left to right, like a hillside that's been battered by years of wind. The tall plants in the background (probably Eleocharis vivipara or Vallisneria nana) enhance the wind effect and act as a "curtain" to increase depth. The tree doesn't run straight; it draws an "S" shape to reach the light behind. This technique allows the eye to wander around the tank for longer periods of time. It's difficult to convey the sense of wind or water currents. Having all the materials (plants, logs, road) facing the same direction enhances this feeling. The main log structure on the left side looks very stubby and heavy. It could have been detailed or broken up a bit. It would have been better without the prominent Bucephalandra species on the left and right; it makes you wonder what they're doing here. Congratulations again. 

Individual comment

Selcuk Durmaz (Türkiye)  
Congratulations on your beautiful work.A veritable riot of color. One of the most beautifully integrated designs of wood and rock. It creates a complex yet orderly effect. The photography and subsequent editing are superb. There's no clear focal point; the eye is drawn to where it wants to go.Congratulations again.

Jaesun Cho (Korea)  
This piece evokes the impression of an oil painting, displaying a strong artistic sensibility. The combination of driftwood and aquatic plants is unique, and the overall flow and coloration are exceptionally beautiful. The directional movement created by the driftwood serves as a central aesthetic element, adding depth and strength to the composition. The quality of this work raises anticipation for the aquascaper’s future creations. Thank you for presenting such a remarkable piece.

Steven Chong (USA) 
A strong demonstration of key skills, but for composition— all parts feel like the are screaming at me, all at once, and not together. 

Josh Sim (Malaysia)  
It has too many plants and I do not see a good integration among the plants. Every plant is existing individually by itself, there is no connection between the plants. Because of this, the overall layout looks very "busy" and I do not know where to rest my eyes. But it is a good effort, perhaps try to integrate the plants better next time and make them look harmonious and natural. One more thing – even with so many plants, I cannot feel the passage of time in this layout, somehow it looks quite new and clean, and this is not a good thing. 

Hyoungjoo Jeon (Korea)  
The colorful aquatic plants make for a gorgeous piece. The flow of the wavy driftwood is also very nice. On the other hand, compared to the right side, the aquatic plants on the left side seems to be disjointed and disrupts the flow of the eye. This is a new style challenge, but I think the challenge itself is a good choice and decision. Thank you for your wonderful work.

Gloria Ciriello (Italy)  
Beautiful color shades. Very well-crafted transitions between light, shadow, and semi-shadow areas. Excellent watercolor effect of the sky.  

Individual comment

Josh Sim (Malaysia) 
What a delightful usage of plants to create such special layout! It is just very joyful to watch and I am sure it will be even better seeing it live. Although the plants do not look like in perfect balance but it does not really matter in this case and the overall balance is achieved with the colors and textures of the plant, not species. One thing I would change though – maybe 5 fish is better than 4? It is a myth but some believe that odd number is better than even number especially for a fish that is so obvious to count. 

Hyoungjoo Jeon (Korea) 
This is a great composition with the aquatic plants themselves. The water surface and side-to-side reflections are very well used to make the relatively narrow width of the tank look very wide. The aquatic plants are healthy and well maintained. The choice of fish is also very good, and the overall harmony of the composition is very well done. Thank you for this beautiful work.

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
While most aquascapes rely on driftwood and stones as the structural foundation, this piece conveys the unusual impression that the aquatic plants themselves form the primary structure, with the driftwood serving to enhance the completeness of the layout. Despite not relying on strong visual impact, the work delivers significant emotional resonance, reflecting the creator’s refined sense of expression. It is a visually beautiful piece with outstanding creativity. Thank you for presenting such a wonderful work. 

Individual comment

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
This piece expresses a distinctive forest-like atmosphere through the creative use of wood. Although the photo quality is somewhat disappointing, the grandeur and depth of the layout are still clearly conveyed. The selection and placement of aquatic plants are excellent, enhancing the overall completeness of the work. 

Hyoungjoo Jeon (Korea) 
A very detailed representation of the forest, with very good representation of the hanging trunks. The overall composition is very flat and has an Indonesian style that suggests the artist is Indonesian.

Josh Sim (Malaysia) 
A nice representation of a forest – but I feel it is looking slightly predictable. Although the overall execution is pretty good, but it does not have any surprise element that will leave a strong impression. 

Individual comment

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
This work impressively expresses the flow of water through the directional lines of the wood. Although the growth condition of the aquatic plants is slightly disappointing, the overall atmosphere remains clean, refreshing, and visually uplifting. The detailed space beneath the left wood piece is particularly captivating and draws the viewer’s attention. Thank you for presenting this beautiful work. 

Hyoungjoo Jeon (Korea) 
The curve of the driftwood and the space under the driftwood are the most characteristic features of this piece. The orientation of the driftwood and the stone also works well together. On the other hand, the end of the main driftwood is not neat, which dampens the beauty. The 'hidden' area is both a focal point and a distraction, but the details are very good.

Josh Sim (Malaysia) 
The overall layout lacks a little bit of natural feeling and it somehow looks quite "new", I would like to see a layout that shows some "aging" effect to indicate the passage of time. The color composition is also not quite in balance with red plants only on one side of the layout. 

Individual comment

Selcuk Durmaz (Türkiye) 
Congratulations on your beautiful work.It's a very clean, well-organized piece. The vegetation on the rocks looks like velvet. The plants soften the stones, giving it a sense of timelessness. I really like the circular undulations on the surface, which are centered right in the center. The fish selection is excellent. The weight on the right and left sides is almost equal, which slightly diminishes the natural feel. It wouldn't be wrong to call this design "safe, controlled," and "standard."Congratulations again.

Josh Sim (Malaysia) 
Nice healthy layout with beautiful fish choice. But I feel it looks very symmetrical (left and right) and lacking of layers, this has made the layout looking quite flat. I would suggest revealing more rocks surface and introduce more shadows, to give the layout a bit more different dimensions and textures. 

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
This work presents a distinctive atmosphere through its horizontal arrangement of stones and aquatic plants. The flow and placement of the green aquatic plants are particularly beautiful, demonstrating that a layout can achieve high artistic quality without relying on numerous species. It is a wonderful example of simplicity executed with depth. Thank you for presenting such a remarkable piece.

Ismael Aguilar (Spain) 
Excellent work. A simple hardscape mainly used to place plants at different heights. Yet the Pogostemon on the rocks captivated me—how is that possible? The planting overall is magnificent and takes full protagonism. Congratulations.

Steven Chong (USA) 
A captivating work. The form is simple but the forms within it are elegant, and all parts used to breath life into the story of "Dow Noi's voice." I love this work. 

Individual comment

Josh Sim (Malaysia) 
A wild and natural layout, but it lacks the focal point. All woods are quite similar size and it has almost equal proportion of wood vs rock, plus without a clear opening area, all these make the layout really hard to catch the focus and attention of the viewers. 

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
The flowing curves of the driftwood work in harmony with the delicately arranged aquatic plants, resulting in a highly refined composition. Even without the use of thick or impactful driftwood, the layout conveys strong depth and visual presence. The overall coloration is balanced and beautiful. Thank you for presenting such a wonderful work. 

Individual comment

Josh Sim (Malaysia) 
The concept is pretty nice, I especially like the execution of the background. But unfortunately I find the composition highly imbalance, the huge triangular shape shadow area on the left side has no counterpart on the right side, it just seems that the left side has a really huge shadow but the right side do not have anything to match. 

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
This piece presents a rich forest-like atmosphere through a variety of detailed elements. The selection and placement of aquatic plants are excellent, contributing to a high level of overall completeness. Although the areas where the layout meets the side glass appear slightly rigid, it seems consistent with the artist’s intention to utilize reflection effects. Thank you for presenting this wonderful work. 

Individual comment

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
Creating a layout that spans 180 cm in width is no simple task. It demands significant cost, effort, and an increased level of detailed work due to its scale. Despite these challenges, this piece displays excellent detail and a well-balanced composition, resulting in a beautiful final outcome. I believe the actual layout would look even more impressive than the photograph. Thank you for presenting this wonderful piece.

Josh Sim (Malaysia) 
Great sophisticated hardscape set up, but I feel that there is no focal point in this layout, the viewers will not be able to focus. There are also too many empty open/white areas, this further causing distraction to the audience. 

Selcuk Durmaz (Türkiye) 
Congratulations on your beautiful work.A massive 180cm tank! A true masterpiece. Filled with numerous windows and caves, it's a magical forest that draws the viewer in. The tank's size is used perfectly. Instead of a single focal point, it offers the viewer three or four distinct areas to explore. The red plants (Rotala) visible through the windows in the background create a lighting effect that resembles a sunset or a background of flower gardens. The curves of the logs carry the eye fluidly from left to right and back. A few extra plants could have been added on the left side to give the eye a rest. The cave views on the far right and center suddenly feel empty; perhaps a lift toward the back could be used. This transition could be enhanced with plants.Congratulations again.

Gloria Ciriello (Italy) 
Articulated hardscape, almost a little chaotic. I like how you can glimpse a visual focal plane in the background on the right-hand side. I also appreciated the use of the mirror effect on the water's surface. 

Individual comment

Selcuk Durmaz (Türkiye) 
Congratulations on your beautiful work.It's a perfect (V-shaped) composition. The perception of depth is strong; I felt like I was walking along that path. The ratio between the large logs in the foreground and the thinness of the path at the very back is perfect. The reflections in the side windows and the water surface make the aquarium appear larger than it actually is. I find this successful. The "S" shape of the path, climbing up to the top and finally meeting the light, looks wonderful. The right and left sides are remarkably similar. The excessive symmetry, unlike its natural state, may have been a mistake. The plants in the background are either insufficient in number or underdeveloped. I'd also like to point out that the moss needs pruning. Also, the Pinnatifida are very prominent in the foreground, which, being here, I consider a somewhat late-stage pruning.Congratulations again. 

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
The multilayered wood structure and the placement of aquatic plants create a beautifully articulated sense of depth. The work evokes the tranquility and clarity of a serene underwater scene, offering a composition that remains engaging even upon prolonged viewing. In particular, the harmonious combination of aquatic plants and moss enhances the overall completeness of the piece. Thank you for presenting this wonderful work.

Josh Sim (Malaysia) 
Very interesting to use stem plants that is not fully opened – whether this is good or bad, is subjective. Personally, I think it is quite special. I would love to see a little bit more shadow on the left side to counter the huge shadow on the right, and I would remove that pinatifilda, this plant is looking out of place and does not belong there. 

Individual comment

Hyoungjoo Jeon (Korea) 
I think the beginning and end of the aquascape are the aquatic plants, and in that sense it is a very good work. The plants are in good condition and the artist’s care and skill is very good. The health and condition of the aquatic plants and fish and the technical skill of the creator are top. 

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
The growth condition of the aquatic plants suggests that this layout has been maintained in excellent shape for a long period. Such stability requires significant dedication and care, which is clearly evident in the work. The meticulously trimmed, healthy plants evoke a sense of joy for the viewer. Thank you for presenting this wonderful piece. 

Individual comment

Gloria Ciriello (Italy)  
An original idea, but the attempt to use pieces of wood that are too rounded and very regular in shape takes away some naturalness from the final work. The choice of fish is remarkable, though visually they are too close to the light background; in other positions they would have created a better contrast.

Steven Chong (USA) 
Overall excellent, I love the energy and natural feeling of the canopy, as well as the naturally+high quality done detailed spaced. There may be differing opinions on the white angels, but they are doing their job of being visible and bringing life to the space. 

Jaesun Cho (Korea)  
The distinctive placement of the driftwood is the first element that captures the viewer’s attention in this impressive piece. The flow of the layout is clearly defined, and the vibrant coloration of the healthy aquatic plants adds a strong sense of liveliness. The choice of fish harmonizes well with the overall design, further enhancing its completeness. With its refined structure, plant condition, and stable hardscape, this work approaches near perfection. Thank you for presenting such a wonderful piece. 

Josh Sim (Malaysia)  
The creativity and concept is quite nice here, not too many types of plants selected but the matching is effective and good. However, I find it lacking a little bit of the natural impression.  

Individual comment

Agussalim Jamauddin (Indonesia)  
The excellent placement of flame moss and weeping moss creates more layers. The blending of the plants on the front left and right also gives a very natural impression, which I'm sure the creator really understands plants, only there are several spots in the front that have algae, fissiden moss, and wood parts. And also I still have questions about the choice of stemplants on the left side, which are pink, and on the right side are green. Overall, I really like this layout with a very varied plant. 

Steven Chong (USA) 
A bit too heavy and closed for me... but clearly incredible skills shown here. Would like to see the eriocaulon better integrated with others in the foreground. 

Jaesun Cho (Korea)  
This is a work I previously selected as the Best of Show in another competition. It presents a unique charm that blends classical composition with a refreshing sense of novelty. The fine detailing of the aquatic plants encourages prolonged viewing, while the lighting introduced from the upper section of the layout brings vibrancy and energy to the entire scene. The selection and placement of the aquatic plants are also executed with remarkable precision. Thank you for presenting such an outstanding work. 

Josh Sim (Malaysia)  
Very nice shadow area – it is not too dark and shows enough details to explore. A little too ambitious on the foreground plants, too many types of different plants that makes it harder to integrate. I would take out the eriocaulon and it should look more harmonious. 

Individual comment

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
In aquascaping contests, nature-style layouts often face disadvantages in reaching the top ranks. Nevertheless, encountering a work of this style is refreshing, as it conveys a calming, natural atmosphere. The healthy aquatic plants provide viewers with a sense of comfort and joy, adding positive energy to the composition. It is a wonderful piece, and I hope to see more works of this style in future contests. 

Hyoungjoo Jeon (Korea) 
The selection and healthy of aquatic plants and placement of driftwood is a good representation of the beauty of the nature style. Due to the nature of most contests, there are limits to how high nature style can be ranked. However, nature style do not limit its beauty. This is a very beautiful piece of work. Thank you.

Josh Sim (Malaysia) 
A beautiful and natural layout, I feel that everything is done nicely. But it lacks the special wow effect to get high placement in modern aquascaping contest, unfortunately. The creator clearly has the skill and artistic sense so I would encourage him/her to embark on a more adventurous style. 

Individual comment

Josh Sim (Malaysia) 
What attracted me the most about this layout is the wonderful use of space and the creation of different dimensions. The focal point is clear, that is where the 2 beautifully design shadowy woods meet but beyond this focal point, our views get slowly guided to the background where it appears to be a whole new dimension with rocks and plants that demonstrate beautiful layers and depth. This masterful use of space is not seen too often so I am happy that it is demonstrated here. The use of plants and the subtle color combination is also very commendable. Congratulation for a beautiful creation. 

Hyoungjoo Jeon (Korea) 
Very good composition and the reflection on the right is very nice. The color of the background seems to make the piece look darker overall. I’m sure if the photo was cropped correctly, it would have been even better.

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
The wood structure and detailed expression in this layout are highly impressive. The aquatic plants appear slightly darker than ideal, but this seems to be due to photo editing. With color correction closer to the actual layout, the piece would look even more appealing. The selection and placement of aquatic plants are excellent, contributing to a beautiful overall composition. 

Individual comment

Steven Chong (USA) 
A layout that wants to leave a strong impression, but everything being sharp and about the same thickness saps the layout from contrast and power it couldhave had. Edgy, but with no reason for being edgy.

Hyoungjoo Jeon (Korea) 
In traditional Korean stories, Dokkaebi are said to bring both good luck and mischief and have the ability to transform and play tricks. The main driftwood in the center appears to represent this Dokkaebi and is a playful composition. Also, the red aquatic plants around it seem to represent the Dokkaebi fire. The plants are in good condition. However, I think the artist’s intention would have been more clearly conveyed if the Dokkaebi was a bit stronger and larger overall. 

Josh Sim (Malaysia) 
A fierce and dangerous layout – very strong impression created by the red plants and the impactful driftwood. However, I feel that the main wood is way too small in comparison to the overall space of the tank, this has made the layout losing a bit of focus. I could imagine a main wood with 50% bigger in size would fill up the space nicely and give the layout a better focus.

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
Some claim that aquascaping is limited by the use of stones, driftwood, and aquatic plants. This work clearly disproves that assumption. The sharp and rugged forms of the driftwood create a unique atmosphere, further enhanced by the deliberate placement of the plants. The layout’s detail and overall execution are exceptional, showcasing the aquascaper’s high level of skill. While evaluations may vary depending on personal preference, I consider this piece truly beautiful. Thank you for presenting such an impressive work. 

Individual comment

Hyoungjoo Jeon (Korea) 
The composition is stable and the arrangement of the fish and the aquatic plants is great. The gradation of the aquatic plants from green to orange color and the darkness of the main body of the fish creates a sense of contrast and adds life to what could have been an ordinary composition. The selection and management of the aquatic plants is very good. 

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
Despite the absence of large stones, the artist skillfully utilized the shadows of smaller stones to create a highly impactful composition. The selection and placement of aquatic plants are excellent, and their healthy condition adds to the appeal. The foreground details, in particular, are impressive enough to serve as a reference for many aquascapers. 

Individual comment

Hyoungjoo Jeon (Korea) 
Very strong color contrast between the green and red aquatic plants, and between the darkness on the left and right and the lightness in the center. The maintenance of the aquatic plants is also very good. Some details, such as the pebbles in the path in the center, could use some work but are not critical to the overall view. The shrimp are distracting and should be removed. 

Jaesun Cho (Korea) 
The vibrant coloration of the healthy aquatic plants conveys strong vitality and brings a sense of joy to the viewer. The shadows on both sides accentuate the central plants and naturally guide the eye toward the vanishing point. It appears unintentional yet works remarkably well. With a bit more refinement in small details, it could become even more impressive, but it is already beautiful as it is.