The state of Singapore aquascaping

[zonkkie]

BFG.. I think constructive criticism is more important than Queen's English. One can say "Your tank is appalling!" without elaborating and the tank owner is none the wiser in terms of improving his tank. On the same note, comments like "Nice tank!" without elaborating also does not help.

For beginners like me, it will be helpful to add comments like Nice Tank because it follows the golden ratio, there is a flow from here to there, the flora chosen gives the hardscape character, etc.

Just my view as a beginner on how best I think I can learn.

[Blue Whale]

Checkerboard, beside 4 and 11 that you highlighted (definitely looks good to me), 18, its a wow, how did the centre becomes blue, then you noticed it is actually a school of fishes that are blue in color ^^" amazing thingly he is able to school all the fish to the center to take one photo.

BFG, cannot make still can accept it but must say where cannot make it. ok?

[reveru]

BFG.. I think constructive criticism is more important than Queen's English. One can say "Your tank is appalling!" without elaborating and the tank owner is none the wiser in terms of improving his tank. On the same note, comments like "Nice tank!" without elaborating also does not help.

For beginners like me, it will be helpful to add comments like Nice Tank because it follows the golden ratio, there is a flow from here to there, the flora chosen gives the hardscape character, etc.

Just my view as a beginner on how best I think I can learn.

I strongly agree with this.

[dkk08]

Checkerboard, beside 4 and 11 that you highlighted (definitely looks good to me), 18, its a wow, how did the centre becomes blue, then you noticed it is actually a school of fishes that are blue in color ^^" amazing thingly he is able to school all the fish to the center to take one photo.

BFG, cannot make still can accept it but must say where cannot make it. ok?

you've to "chase" the fishes to the center of the tank hence its the skill in chasing and the art of taking photos that comes into play here... which we might learn in the next workshop... Photography Workshop... hopefully soon

[Shadow]

not difficult lah, especially today will all the digital camera. You can keep shotting until you get what you want. It is event easier if you have someone with news paper to scare the fish

[dkk08]

not difficult lah, especially today will all the digital camera. You can keep shotting until you get what you want. It is event easier if you have someone with news paper to scare the fish

Robert, are you posting via iPhone

[Blue Whale]

Desmond, your camera got the running shots mode? I dunno what you call that...its like taking more than 1 shot per second. Sorry I am not versed in photography as you know, but I think you know what I am saying. >"< I won't be able to make it to the workshop...working.

[dkk08]

Desmond, your camera got the running shots mode? I dunno what you call that...its like taking more than 1 shot per second. Sorry I am not versed in photography as you know, but I think you know what I am saying. >"< I won't be able to make it to the workshop...working.

Burst shots? I'm not really into photography too even though my camera might look like it but its really just an advanced point and shoot camera

Speaking of finding the right decoration, (not sure if I can post this or say this here) but I've been a fan of Mizu World since my shrimp keeping days and they do have some nice rocks and "fake" wood decoration that really looks real and nice... maybe you guys can check it out?

[Blue Whale]

Desmond,

You find that the outing trip and the Iwagumi workshop, I took more shots and observe more than I take notes. Partly was due to one of the skills I learned when I was in my early twenties. It call observation skill. Sound simple.

Now I was involved in a few of those international missionary trips, my role was a musician (guitarist), where I would visit villages and a whole group of people would sing to built the repor. One of people I meet locally spoke english and chinese, a preacher but not a simple one. He is lingustically trained hence you find translation of local languages from the language we are familiar. To observe means a few hours walking around different places to see the life of people, how they live, what they live in then come back and discuss. This preacher also taught us to listen although you might not understand the language. From Amano shots, I can tell that he is doing observation too.

Observation skills if integrated into I.T. means that you can learn e.g. troubleshooting skills at a faster speed. Observation skills if integrated into music, means you can learn music at a fast pace and perhaps more instruments. Observation skills if integrated into Aqua-scaping, well this is what I am trying to do now. Amano's observation skill may be at a higher level, from the journals of various people (internet) who have visited Niigata, it isn't just place some rocks and be satisfy. He still took a backseat and ponder on his arrangement. I would be interested to see more scapes that people have done. But I can't say I will be good until I practise re-scaping or new scaping. I still find myself getting nervous and excited like a small kid doing my current re-scaping although I have years been doing planted tank. The start off was corrected as I was guided by good people. I find myself doing scaping now alone but still guided by members of AQ. I think the experience is precious, so hope to see the rest start their observation skills too. There will never be a mastery level as you find that till the day you die, you still be doing observation skill.

One thing about trekking is to take a back sit and enjoy mothernature. Not so much on training your navigation skills and physical. >"< too bad I can't attend the photography workshop...working, sigh*...

[BFG]

BFG.. I think constructive criticism is more important than Queen's English. One can say "Your tank is appalling!" without elaborating and the tank owner is none the wiser in terms of improving his tank. On the same note, comments like "Nice tank!" without elaborating also does not help.

For beginners like me, it will be helpful to add comments like Nice Tank because it follows the golden ratio, there is a flow from here to there, the flora chosen gives the hardscape character, etc.

Just my view as a beginner on how best I think I can learn.

Yes, you are correct! My mind was half asleep when I wrote my reply as this week I am working the graveyard shift so wasn't thinking my best.

BFG, cannot make still can accept it but must say where cannot make it. ok?

Of course, those who critic must let the tank owner know where their flaws are but most of the time you would see that there are 100 members who have read your thread but only 5 have responded which could mean they do not like the setup and did not reply to the thread. How could you differentiate between someone who is reading the thread casually and do not want to be involve to someone who wants to be involved and have responded but keep returning to the thread to read the update?

[StanChung]

Since the objective is to win or get a very high placing, always compare your tank with a winning tank of the same style. Ask yourself- can your tank beat that? How can I beat that tank? Those that focus more on execution than creativity can score high but it becomes a forgettable tank. I've done many of those, even before I shoot the final picture I already know it's crap but I shoot one anyway to remind myself why it's crap!

Never compare your tank with a lousy tank!

Ego fanning by others is fine but you should know yourself how good you are and try not to be big headed as it makes for very unpleasant reading no matter if you are actually quite good!

If some people say it's good just take it but always strive to be better! If they say it's bad then make sure you know why it's bad even if they don't tell you!

It's a competition and some people may not want to tell you anything! Some guys will be secretive[like me] but still willing to share some tips and plants if the other guys is nice and humble+brave enough to share his tank to the world. If the other guy's a pompous 'twit' then I might say "NICE TANK!" and leave the thread.

[Blue Whale]

BFG, Stan,

Actually you don't. Those willing to share, I think first thing I can do as the scapper is to listen to what they have to say first. To know what is right and wrong still depends on one's discerning mind. Like a programmer you have to listen for input but you don't take all the advice/suggestion given. Like a webmaster, look and feel is subjective but you still listen to people's ideas for inspiration. Now like a scapper, likewise is applicable to life, to aquascaping. ^_^ If one learns a skill and dunno how to apply then why learn in the first place? If one is ego, then he/she have to remind himself no matter how big headed he/she is, there is always someone better and so we follow what Stan just said, look at the better scapes. Remind yourself. No matter how many years you have, it does not equate to skill. Each one displays his/her unique characteristics through the expression of their scape. Each differs as time progresses.

My latest trip is 12pm to Biotope. Victor not one you could call very very experience scaper but he reminded me how laying of substrate. I took his advice as I compared with my notes and found him to be correct. Thio sms me last night on NPK and make sure I take care of K also because he read my postings before and know my habits, hence I took both advice. Not because they telling me from the point of reseller but from the point as a hobbist. =) Ok..enough, going back to work on the tank. Check out later.

[Stormy]

A very good discussion thread on aquascaping (and contest) indeed.
Discussion like this will only be good for Spore aquascaping scene!

my humble view on aquascaping contest....
if you have real good skill and solid execution technique, no harm doing orthodox layout and compete with the world's best on the skill and execution level.
but if you are not skillful enough, then try to be more creative so you don't compete with the best on skill but on refreshing original ideas.

last but not least.....highest level of committment is needed! no free lunch in this hobby, every effort you put in will show in your layout (and every negligence and mistake shows too)!

good luck guys!

[checkerboard]

last but not least.....highest level of committment is needed! no free lunch in this hobby, every effort you put in will show in your layout (and every negligence and mistake shows too)!

good luck guys!

Since the objective is to win or get a very high placing, always compare your tank with a winning tank of the same style. Ask yourself- can your tank beat that? How can I beat that tank? Those that focus more on execution than creativity can score high but it becomes a forgettable tank.

I completely agree with the above statements. The beauty of this hobby is that it is never boring. No matter how many years you have in this hobby, there are always new plants and new fishes to try and learn. Also like art, there is always a new design and new idea to try. My personal aim is to improve on each year ranking and create 'unforgetable scapes'. For instance, i always remember the Taiwanese aquascapist who came up with the waterfall scape that got seventh, the Portugese aquascper with the lone tree along a path and also the first few scapes that uses cosmetic sand. These are very inspirational and it is from these scapes that I find i can learn a lot from.

[dkk08]

For instance, i always remember the Taiwanese aquascapist who came up with the waterfall scape that got seventh and also the first few scapes that uses cosmetic sand etc. These are very inspirational and it is from these scapes that I find i can learn a lot from.

So meaning we can actually use artificial decorations like "Statues", DIY rocks, "fake" sand in these contest? Because I always thought they'll deduct lots of points once they know that its not "natural"

[Aquanoob]

Desmond, i think it is quite difficult to spot it in the photo that was submitted, but the Sifu himself may somehow know it as it may looks very "fake" and "unnatural" to him.

I am also intending of entering IAPLC 2010 although I only just started my planted tank last October, and I may just get the last place this year, but I intend to join it year after year and seek to improve my ranking over the years. My initial thought is that my 2ft tank can't make it to the big stage as it can't contain much plants and scapes but last year's rank 17 layout was quite inspirational to me, and it is on a 60X30X36cm tank as well. Rank 58, 104 & 110 is also on a 2ft tank as well.
So those who think the their tank size is the limiting factor, you have no excuse now.

So meaning we can actually use artificial decorations like "Statues", DIY rocks, "fake" sand in these contest? Because I always thought they'll deduct lots of points once they know that its not "natural"

[dkk08]

Hey Nicholas, good for you! I'm so happy that you've decided to join IAPLC 2010 and I take it the AQ-ADA contest as well

As for me I still insist on my Half land/Half water Vivarium setup and I might just try to do something which will allow me to enter the AQ-ADA contest... whether or not my setup can enter IAPLC 2010 is another thing

Call me stubborn or mad but I'm planning 2 setups, 1 Vivarium and 1 10in cube

[eddy planer]

Hey Nicholas, good for you! I'm so happy that you've decided to join IAPLC 2010 and I take it the AQ-ADA contest as well

As for me I still insist on my Half land/Half water Vivarium setup and I might just try to do something which will allow me to enter the AQ-ADA contest... whether or not my setup can enter IAPLC 2010 is another thing

Call me stubborn or mad but I'm planning 2 setups, 1 Vivarium and 1 10in cube

If you planning to setup and enter IAPLC 2010, use your Rapa Nui statue for contest !!!

[Aquanoob]

Desmond, I don't think I can make it for AQ-ADA contest as the submission deadline is on 15 April, but I certainly will be ready for the IAPLC which close on 31 May. Lots of thing to learn and apply, and the coming BorneoWild AquaWorkshop & Photography workshop will be a great time to learn and sbsorb more knowledge from the experts.
I am still a noob in many aspects of aquascaping, so have to think, design and do thing slowly.

Hey Nicholas, good for you! I'm so happy that you've decided to join IAPLC 2010 and I take it the AQ-ADA contest as well

As for me I still insist on my Half land/Half water Vivarium setup and I might just try to do something which will allow me to enter the AQ-ADA contest... whether or not my setup can enter IAPLC 2010 is another thing

Call me stubborn or mad but I'm planning 2 setups, 1 Vivarium and 1 10in cube

[dkk08]

Yo Nicholas, there's many ways to make plants grow
Today is already the 4th March and the closing date for AQ-ADA contest is 15 April, my tanks are not even planted so ya you get the

And regarding the GC workshop, why not join the contest as well to see how much you've learn? You get to take back not only the experience but also a free tank and accessories

Check out GC website for more info
http://www.midori-sg.com/grandopening.php

BorneoWild Driftwood Aquascaping Contest

The day will be wrapped up with 10 hobbyists pitting against each others in a 1ft cube driftwood contest, follow by a short prize presentation.

* Duration: 30-45 minutes
* Top Three Prizes: The Tank, Driftwood used in the design, and BorneoWild Tools Set.
* Consolidation Prizes: The Tank and Driftwood used in the design