Judging and Awards
As you view the entries, here are the criteria that the judges were given for judging the contest:
Judging will be conducted with each entry identified only by number; i.e. the judges
will not know the identity of the entrant whose entry they are considering.
Within each category, the judges' individual ranking for each entry (based on the total
scores awarded to each) will be used to determine the overall ranking of entries within
the category. Awards (1st, 2nd and 3rd place) will be given to the three highest ranked entries.
The judges will also choose, by vote, a "Best of Show" Aquascape.
Judges are asked provide feedback on the qualities of each entry in the
contest. These comments will be placed on the website and on the final CD-ROMs,
associated with the appropriate entries.
The decisions of the judges are final.
The website will have a facility allowing the general public to submit their choice
for a People's Choice Award.
Criteria
There are four basic criteria which we wish considered in the judging of the aquascapes
entered in the contest. They are:
- Overall Impression (between 1 - 35 points)
- Composition, Balance, Use of Space, Use of Color (between 1 - 30 points)
- Selection & Use of Materials (between 1 - 20 points)
- Viability of Aquascape (between 1 - 15 points)
To assist the judges, and to clarify and expand upon the basic criteria, these are some
of the things we ask each judge to consider when reviewing each entry:
- Overall Impression - maximum 35 points
- Does the aquascape make a significant positive visual impression upon the viewer?
- Do all parts of the aquascape work together to present a harmonious whole?
- Composition, Balance, Use of Space, Use of Color - maximum 30 points
- Is the aquascape laid out well?
- Does balance exist between the various components of the aquascape? Is space within the
aquarium used effectively? Do open areas exist and balance and complement more enclosed
spaces?
- Are the colors of the various elements of the aquascape complementary and do they work
well together?
- Selection & Use of Materials - maximum 20 points
- Are the materials selected for use within the aquascape appropriate for use in an
aquarium?
- Are the various materials harmonious with one another? i.e. if several rocks and/or
pieces of driftwood are used, do they compliment one another or do they produce a
discordant effect?
- Viability of Aquascape - maximum 15 points
- Is the aquascape set up in a manner which, with proper maintenance, is likely to lead to
long term success of the aquarium?
- If used, are the plants selected for the aquascape appropriate for long term use in an
aquarium?
- If visible, are the animals selected as inhabitants of the tank likely to cause damage
to one another or to the aquascape itself?
