The Aquatic Gardeners Association is pleased to announce the results for our 2021 International Aquascaping Contest. On the heels of another challenging year due to the pandemic, we have seen the hobby return to some sense of normalcy. And in spite of some new rules to enter the contest, we have had another outstanding year of participation from our aquascapers.
Every year, we rely on the hard work of our esteemed panel of judges to sift through hundreds of entries to choose a few of the very best aquascapes for our contest and this year was no exception. Participating as a judge for our contest takes time away from their very busy schedules and our contest would not be the success it is today without their efforts. For this year’s Aquatic Garden categories, we have our wonderful returning expert judges, Andre Longarco (Brazil) and Esther Mous (Netherlands), and our new judges for this year Marvin Lo (USA), Jhonny Vanegas Cardenas (Columbia), and Dave Chow (Hong Kong). Jen Williams (USA) judged the 220-320L size aquascapes.
Karen Randall (USA) judged all four of our specialty categories. In addition, we were again very fortunate to have Marco Aukes (Netherlands) and Vin Kutty (USA) return to judge our Dutch category. Hans-Georg Evers from Germany participated as one of our expert judges in the biotope category. For Paludariums, Cory Nudelman (USA) returned, along with new judge (and last year's category winner) Nick Kinser (USA). Finally, the Wabi-Kusa category was handled by Jo Ann Fujii (USA) and myself (USA). Thank you all!
The contest would not be the success it is without the generosity of sponsors. The outstanding companies supporting this year's contest are Seachem, Oase Living Water, Ultum Nature Systems, GreenForum, Amazonas Magazine, and the Chicago Aquatic Plant Society. Thank you!
Finally, I would also like to thank Jen Williams of the AGA for again providing our beautiful contest graphics and also want to send out a huge thank you to Erik Olson, the AGA’s tech guru, who handled the aquascapes as they were received by the contest and the frequent and challenging technical questions as they came up. Thank you Erik, Jen, our judges, sponsors, and the AGA Contest Committee for your hard work!
So, without further ado, enjoy this year's aquascapes!
Bailin Shaw, AGA Contest Chair
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Contact us by December 21, after which the placings are finalized.
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Comments
In a year where we continue to suffer the hardships imposed by the terrible pandemic certainly our beloved aquariums were the escape valve and the salvation for many people around the world.
Bringing a piece of Nature into home is a gift in itself. Being able to interact create cultivate maintain and delight in it is a privilege full of magic and benefits.
In this edition each aquarium judged by me was also a blessing that I received directly here in my home in Brazil confined with my beloved family. At each aquarium at each photograph I could rejoice in the beauty created by aquascapers and passionates from around the world. And this worldwide connection through the Nature Aquarium was one of the fundamental factors for all of us to remain firm healthy and harmonious.
Congratulations friends you were warriors!!! Thank you for sharing your passion and uniting your energies for the common good. There are no just one winner in each category...we are all winners!
Gratitude sums up my feeling in this edition of the most important aquascaping contest in the world!!
IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT AQUARIUMS.
IT'S ABOUT LOVE AND RESPECT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH!
The talent observed is getting better and better and I am excited to know that each year that passes there will be no limit to creativity and the ability to represent everything that happens in our minds in an aquarium.
Congratulations to all.