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IAPLC CREATOR’S FILE #02 Yi Ye
IAPLC Creator’s File interviews top winners of the IAPLC, the world’s leading planted aquarium contest, and introduces the secrets of their progress and their passion for the planted aquarium hobby.
IAPLC 2022 WORLD RANKING 0008
Forward and Backward Flow
Aquarium Size W120×D50×H50(cm)
Aquatic plants: Hemianthus micranthemoides / Rotala rotundifolia / Rotala rotundifolia ‘Green’ / Bolbitis heudelotii / Hydrocotyle leucocephala / Riccardia chamedryfolia / Callicostella prabaktiana / Ranunculus papulentus / Helanthium tenellum
Fish: Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi / Hemigrammus bleheri
Forward and Backward Flow
Aquarium Size W120×D50×H50(cm)
Aquatic plants: Hemianthus micranthemoides / Rotala rotundifolia / Rotala rotundifolia ‘Green’ / Bolbitis heudelotii / Hydrocotyle leucocephala / Riccardia chamedryfolia / Callicostella prabaktiana / Ranunculus papulentus / Helanthium tenellum
Fish: Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi / Hemigrammus bleheri
Being inspired by nature and life, and being able to challenge my own expression is the charm of planted aquariums.
Q What made you get into the planted aquarium hobby?
At the beginning of our married life in 2012, my wife suggested me to keep small fish. That suggestion led to the purchase of a small round aquarium, green aquatic plants, and a few guppies. Little by little, I was introduced to creating planted aquariums, and then I learned about Mr. Takashi Amano’s Nature Aquarium, which opened the door to the fascinating world of the IAPLC.
Q Where do you get themes, motifs, and ideas for your layouts?
This piece, “Forward and Backward Flow” expresses the ups and downs of my mood last year when I felt not so lucky. Does life grow naturally like a root, or does it swim against the current like a fish? My best friend and I explored the answer to this question, and he used a paintbrush and I used a planted aquarium to depict the answer each came up with. I am glad that I was able to create a work of art that expressed my feelings.
Q Do you have any special items that you use when creating layouts?
Items I use often when creating aquascapes are ADA liquid fertilizers. I use them because they allow me to express my aquatic plants in the best possible way.
At the beginning of our married life in 2012, my wife suggested me to keep small fish. That suggestion led to the purchase of a small round aquarium, green aquatic plants, and a few guppies. Little by little, I was introduced to creating planted aquariums, and then I learned about Mr. Takashi Amano’s Nature Aquarium, which opened the door to the fascinating world of the IAPLC.
Q Where do you get themes, motifs, and ideas for your layouts?
This piece, “Forward and Backward Flow” expresses the ups and downs of my mood last year when I felt not so lucky. Does life grow naturally like a root, or does it swim against the current like a fish? My best friend and I explored the answer to this question, and he used a paintbrush and I used a planted aquarium to depict the answer each came up with. I am glad that I was able to create a work of art that expressed my feelings.
Q Do you have any special items that you use when creating layouts?
Items I use often when creating aquascapes are ADA liquid fertilizers. I use them because they allow me to express my aquatic plants in the best possible way.
Q What do you find attractive about planted aquariums?
The charm of planted aquariums is that, like sketches in a painting, you can draw inspiration from the natural world, movies, and life, and use the aquarium as a canvas for your own ideas with materials, aquatic plants, and fish.
The charm of planted aquariums is that, like sketches in a painting, you can draw inspiration from the natural world, movies, and life, and use the aquarium as a canvas for your own ideas with materials, aquatic plants, and fish.
Q Please tell us about the key points in selecting aquatic plants and fish.
A grouping of aquatic plants and fish is an indispensable element in creating a planted aquarium. Different combinations of aquatic plants can create different atmospheres, and I chose Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi for this project. Also, by photographing many works every year, I try to find the ideal position for the school of fish in the aquarium.
Q Why did you enter the IAPLC and what do you think is the best part of the contest?
The reason I participated in the IAPLC was because I was interested in planted aquariums and wanted to improve, so I decided to test my level in the Planted Aquarium Hall of Fame level contest. I enjoy participating in the IAPLC every year with the aim of creating stronger and more perfect works of art, and being able to express my innermost thoughts and the aquascape world I want to create in my own way.
A grouping of aquatic plants and fish is an indispensable element in creating a planted aquarium. Different combinations of aquatic plants can create different atmospheres, and I chose Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi for this project. Also, by photographing many works every year, I try to find the ideal position for the school of fish in the aquarium.
Q Why did you enter the IAPLC and what do you think is the best part of the contest?
The reason I participated in the IAPLC was because I was interested in planted aquariums and wanted to improve, so I decided to test my level in the Planted Aquarium Hall of Fame level contest. I enjoy participating in the IAPLC every year with the aim of creating stronger and more perfect works of art, and being able to express my innermost thoughts and the aquascape world I want to create in my own way.
Q If you belong to an aquarium club, please tell us about its activities.
I am a member of a Chinese aquarium club, called CAA. Back in the days when there was no covid, we used to get together to observe and seek inspiration from nature in different parts of the country. Recently, we went to a tropical rainforest in Yunnan Province.
Q Please give a message to all planted aquarium enthusiasts around the world.
The three years of the Covid pandemic were truly difficult. Let’s say goodbye to this long period with no way out and welcome 2023 with a new feeling. And I’m hoping to join the IAPLC again this year with all of you and try to create a more wonderful planted aquarium!
I am a member of a Chinese aquarium club, called CAA. Back in the days when there was no covid, we used to get together to observe and seek inspiration from nature in different parts of the country. Recently, we went to a tropical rainforest in Yunnan Province.
Q Please give a message to all planted aquarium enthusiasts around the world.
The three years of the Covid pandemic were truly difficult. Let’s say goodbye to this long period with no way out and welcome 2023 with a new feeling. And I’m hoping to join the IAPLC again this year with all of you and try to create a more wonderful planted aquarium!
