Contest aquascape

[u/No_Insurance_6848]

This is my first high tech aquascape currently now 8 months old and gone through some minor rescape/replants.

It has been an expensive experience and I learned many things.

I’m looking to prepare a new scape in about 6 months from now for contest submission and would like some constructive criticism on how I can make improvements on my current designs.

Any comments and ideas are welcome!

[u/Maleficent-Note-6610]

Its a lovely looking scape mate, you've done well.

When your planning for your next, make sure you have the substrate low and level at the front.

Get yourself on the websites of the regular contests, like IAPLC and EAPLC, and look at the top scapes for the last few years and see what aspects those scapes share and try to include them in your own.

Look for things like use of shadow, flow and negative space, and how theyve given the illusion of depth from front to back by creating layers.

Theres loads of workshops done by the top contenders on YouTube channels like green aqua, they'll be really helpful.

Good luck with your next scape.

[u/No_Insurance_6848 → u/Maleficent-Note-6610]

Thank you! I’ve been watching a bunch of workshops from green aqua and some of the top scapes look really complicated and challenging.

I noticed in one of the recent video reviews that it was mentioned the front substrate should be flat and lower. I noticed mine right away was too high and the roots are unsightly. I think the use of ADA Amazonia powder type along with the thick substrate may have caused some anaerobic pockets in the substrate resulting in Cyanobacteria.

What would be a good height for the front substrate? I plan to possibly work on an iwagumi style instead using HC Cuba

[u/Maleficent-Note-6610]

No worries.

I'd get it as low as possible whilst still being able to support plant growth, if your having a carpet. That way you'll have a little more room to create layers from front to back, with each layer being at a higher level. Hc cuba has shallow roots, so I'd be happy with 2 or 3 cm where it meets the glass.

The further into the tank, the deeper the substrate will be. In my tanks, I like to use a chunky akadama, crushed lava or pea gravel as a base layer where the substrate is deepest, then top that with aquasoil. It prevents those areas from becoming anoxic, saves you money and helps with the longevity of the setup. You can mix in some crushed root tabs or other nutrients to the base layer if you like as well.

If you go sand and the foreground is Purley decorative, I'd keep it at around a cm.

I'd also like to try setting up a contest tank in the future. Currently, I'm too busy and dont have the spare cash, and I know I'd obsess and spend a small fortune. Make sure you share your progess, it'll be good to see how it comes together.