The Art of the Planted Aquarium centers around two aquascaping competitions based on size:

• XL competition: 150 liter (~40 gallons), 100x50x50 cm (40x20x20″)
• Nano competition: 20 liter (~5 gallons), 25x25x30 cm (10x10x12″)

Aquariums are judged on “originality, composition of planting, harmony of planting and decoration, condition of plants, room arrangement, creative effect and long term development the design.”

2013’s The Art of the Planted Aquarium will be held between January 25 to 27, 2013.  Organizers expect another big turn out (over 55,000 avid nature aquarists attended in 2011!).

Until then, enjoy these two compilation videos of 2012’s contestants showcasing all the entries for the XL and Nano competition.  The video is provided by Polish aquascaping website definiteaquascape.tv.  The designs would make nature aquarium guru Takashi Amano proud.  We know this for sure because Amano was both the judge and guest lecturer for The Art of the Planted Aquarium 2012.

XL Competition:

Nano Competition: