GUIDELINES AND RULES

Before you apply...

Before you apply for the International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest (IAPLC), please read the following contest guidelines and rules carefully. By submitting an entry, you agree to the guidelines and rules. Letʼs help each other avoid slandering the contest results on social networks, and follow the rules to enjoy the contest together with fellow aquarists around the world!

Please make sure to read this before application:
“Help us improve the moral behavior for the IAPLC.”

Subject
Freshwater planted aquarium

  • Terrarium, marine aquarium cannot be applied.
  • In case of open-type aquarium, only underwater part is subject of grading.

Schedule

2023

  • Apr. 1
    Contest Starting Date

  • May 31
    Closing Date for Application

  • Screening

  • Aug. 26
    Result announcement

  • Sept.
    Result notification
Contest Starting Date
The contest opens on April 1, 2023 (JST)
Closing Date for Application
May 31, 2023 (JST)
Result announcement
August 26th 2023 (JST) (More details will be announced on the official website once available)
Result notification
Beginning of September

Contest Prize

  • Grand Prize：1 Person
    Prize：JPY1,000,000
    Extra Prize：Trophy, Top 100 Medal,
    Certificate

  • Gold Prize：1 Person
    Prize：JPY300,000
    Extra Prize：Trophy, Top 100 Medal,
    Certificate

  • Silver Prize：2 People
    Prize：JPY100,000
    Extra Prize：Trophy, Top 100 Medal,
    Certificate

  • Bronze Prize：3 People
    Prize：JPY50,000
    Extra Prize：Trophy, Top 100 Medal,
    Certificate

  • Honor Prize：20 People
    Prize：JPY10,000
    Extra Prize：Top 100 Medal, Certificate

  • Winning Work：73 People
    Extra Prize：Top 100 Medal, Certificate

  • The top 7 works will be featured in the succeeding yearʼs contest poster, which is posted at the ADA retail shops around the world.
  • Top winning entries will be published in the IAPLC Book 2021 (to be published in December, 2021) and various media, such as magazines and websites published by co-sponsors.

Guidelines and Rules

●No Contest Entry Fee
  • Please follow the rules and guidelines.

●Submission

  • ◯Entrants must submit image data created with a compact digital camera,smartphone, tablet, or others. Photographic film, recording media and printed photograph are not acceptable.
  • ◯Image data file to be submitted must be in JPEG format (less than 5MB). RAW data is not accepted.
    ◯Please submit an image that is at least 1500px wide or more because your work will be printed in B5 size for judging.
    *If the image data is resized for submission, the original image data must be retained. The original data is required for top-winning entries.
  • ◯Image must not be processed by way of trimming, reversal and retouching, etc. Do not delete the Exif information.
  • ◯Use entry form on the official IAPLC website for entry. Online entry process is very simple - just fill in the form and attach your image data.
    * Starting with the IAPLC 2021, only online submission is accepted. Photographic film, recording media and printed photograph are not acceptable.

●This contest is open to everyone who has a planted aquarium. Only the work created by the entrant (individual) is accepted.

  • There is no restriction in aquarium tank size.
  • The picture of the layout can be taken by any person other than the creator of the layout.
  • Those individuals who are involved in administration of, or judges of international aquascaping contests are unacceptable (This condition does not apply to IAPLC-authorized contests.)
  • Applying under a name other than the name of the creator of the layout, including name of family members and others, may be subject of disqualification.

●Each entrant can submit only one entry with the picture of an unpublished layout work, taken within a year prior to submission

  • Entry must be a picture of the entire aquarium taken from the front side.
  • Entry that violates this may become subject to disqualification, before and after the determination of the world ranking. The submission of an identical work to the IAPLC-authorized contests is accepted only if the contestant shall not release any images of the work on the internet, publications or any distribution media prior to the official result announcement and release by Aqua Design Amano Co., Ltd.
  • Once image data has been submitted, it cannot be replaced.

●Subject of point deductions

  • Reuse of similar motif that has been demonstrated in any work formerly submitted to this contest (including use of the same composition materials, rearrangement of any past layout through mere change of plants and reversal of any past layout.)
  • Layout remarkably resembling any of the past top winning entries is subject to point deductions.
  • Plants growing above the waterline are not subject to evaluation. In case of using of houseplant, marginal plant or other plants which hardly survive in water, and layout materials that are difficult to maintain for a long period of time.
  • Pictures taken at an angle and/or showing only a part of the aquarium.

●Copyright of IAPLC entries

  • The copyright of the entries belongs to Aqua Design Amano Co., Ltd. Use of any entry for advertisement and/or publication purposes without consent of Aqua Design Amano Co., Ltd. is strictly prohibited.
  • Private disclosure of entry on social networking media must take place only after the official disclosure by Aqua Design Amano Co., Ltd.

●Others

  • Your application may be disqualified if it violates the Guidelines and Rules, doesnt meet application requirements, or if the IAPLC ʼ steering committee deems it inappropriate.
  • In regard to issues related to similarity between works, and simultaneous submission of an identical work to a non-IAPLC authorized contest, the decision taken by the IAPLC steering committee is final.
  • The number of works showcased in the contest book hasn't been decided, yet. Lower-ranked entries may not be included in the booklet.
  • Please note that the IAPLC steering committee does not take any questions regarding the grading and results of the contest. Also, please refrain from contacting individual judges about the contest or specific work(s).
  • The IAPLC-authorized contests and co-sponsored Magazines are subject to change. Please check the latest information.

IMPORTANT

Please note that any works that are determined to fall under the following may be disqualified;
●Same work as past years
●Multiple applications from the same contestant
●Same work registered under several different applicant names (e.g. same photo / same layout photographed from different angles, different cut, or same layout photographed at different times)
●Simultaneous submission to Non-IAPLC-authorized contests
  • Submitting the same work (including a photograph of the same work taken from a different angle) to other contests is not allowed (This condition does not apply to IAPLC-authorized contests)
●Works that are hard to identify as planted aquarium or that could hurt the dignity of this contest
Online Application Form
About Judging Criteria
About photoshooting