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Impressive Aquariums: Winners of the 2015 International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest

#2 范博文, China / Courtesy IAPLC & AquaA3

While most people are happy with giving their pet goldfish some multi colored gravel, a plastic plant, and maybe one of those treasure chests, the participants to the International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest (IAPLC) have turned aquarium design into an art form. The large tanks require years of preparation and are concentrated almost completely on the beautiful presentation of plants using only natural elements.

The history of aqua-scaping is still a fledgling effort, first started in the 90s by Japanese wildlife photographer Takashi Amano. The yearly IAPLC competition has grown dramatically since, with the 2015 contest seeing 2,545 entries from 69 countries. Japan, China, Brazil, and France dominate the top finalist spots. Finalists were announced in September.

This year’s grand prize winner was Takayuki Fukada from Japan with his aquarium named Longing.

 

#4 paulo pacheco, brazil / courtesy iaplc & aquabase
#4 Paulo Pacheco, Brazil / Courtesy IAPLC & Aquabase

 

#5 叶毅, china / courtesy iaplc & aquabase
#5 叶毅, China / Courtesy IAPLC & Aquabase
#7 刘勇, china / courtesy iaplc & aquabase
#7 刘勇, China / Courtesy IAPLC & Aquabase
#8 タナカカツキ, japan / courtesy iaplc & aquabase
#8 タナカカツキ, Japan / Courtesy IAPLC & Aquabase
#10 luis carlos galarraga, brazil / courtesy iaplc & aquabase
#10 Luis Carlos Galarraga, Brazil / Courtesy IAPLC & Aquabase
#12 ana paula cinato, brazil / courtesy iaplc & aquabase
#12 Ana Paula Cinato, Brazil / Courtesy IAPLC & Aquabase
#16 张大东, china / courtesy iaplc & aquabase
#16 张大东, China / Courtesy IAPLC & Aquabase
#19 薛海, taiwan / courtesy iaplc & aquabase
#19 薛海, Taiwan / Courtesy IAPLC & Aquabase
#21 andre longarco, brazil / courtesy iaplc & aquabase
#21 Andre Longarco, Brazil / Courtesy IAPLC & Aquabase
#22 olivier thebaud, france / courtesy iaplc & aquabase
#22 Olivier Thebaud, France / Courtesy IAPLC & Aquabase
#23 michaël leroy, france / courtesy iaplc & aquabase
#23 Michaël Leroy, France / Courtesy IAPLC & Aquabase

Via www.thisiscolossal.com