Description

2024 ALA – AKA – IBC National Convention

Aquascaping Contest Rules

All participants must be registered for the Convention and must have registered and paid for the Aquascaping Contest.  Acceptance into the contest will be on a first come (registered), first served basis.

Each contestant will be provided with a clear glass rimless 5.8-gallon aquarium, with dimensions of 14.2” long X 9.4” wide X 11” tall.  Each aquarium will come with a hang-on-back power filter and clip-on LED light fixture.  Contestants are responsible for bringing their own background, if desired.  Various substrate and hardscape materials will be available onsite, or contestants may bring their own items (no pre-assembly allowed).  A variety of fishes and live plants will also be available – no outside plants or livestock will be permitted.  Contestants must also bring any tools (forceps, tweezers, scissors, glue, etc.) needed for the set up. Treated water will be available onsite.

Materials, plants and livestock provided will be set up on a nearby staging table for selection by the contestants. Bins and buckets will be available for contestant use of gathered items.  Contestants will be randomly assigned a tank space number (ordered left to right from 1 to 10). At the designated start time (1:00 pm on Thursday, May 16) the contestants will be released to select their materials from the staging area.  Contestants should select the materials in an orderly (respectful) manner, only taking what they need.  There should be more than enough materials for all the aquariums.  Contestants may return to the staging table for additional materials as needed after start of the set up.  Contestants will have until 8:00 pm on set up day (Thursday) to finish their aquascapes.  Judging will take place at 8:30 am Friday, May 17.

Qualified judges will judge the aquascapes, with the top three (3) aquascapes to receive awards.  Contestants may keep their aquariums and contents or may donate the set up to the Convention to be raffled or auctioned to benefit the ALA and AKA education funds.

Thank you to our Sponsors!  The Aquascaping Contest was made possible by the following sponsors:

• Tampa Bay Aquarium Society
• Aquatic Galleria
• CaribSea
• Marine Warehouse Aquarium

Aquascaping Contest registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis (up to 10 entries will be available) and participants must be registered for the Convention to participate