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IAPLC CREATOR’S FILE #06 Marcelo Takeno
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.
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IAPLC 2022 WORLD RANKING 0024
Valley of Shadows
Aquarium Size W1200×D450×H450(mm)
Aquatic plants: Hydrocotyle tripartita mini / Hydrocotyle tripartita / Marsilea Hirsuta
Eleocharis Japan / Micranthemum Sp Montecarlo / Staurogyne Repens / Hemiathus callitrichoides Cuba / Riccardia chamedryfolia / Ludwigia sp red mini / Higrophila / Pinnatifida / Blyxa japonica / Rotala Wayanad / Hottonia palustris / Callitriche Sp / Limnophila sp vietnam / Rotala rotundifolia / Rotala sp green / Rotala indica / Rotala sp nanjenshan / Ammannia sp bonsai / Echinodorus tenellus blood / Echinodorus tenellus Amano / Lobélia cardinalis small forms / Vesicularia ferriei weeping / Vesicularia montagnei cristmas / Bucephalandra Sp Syntang / Bucephalandra Sp Brownie Phanton / Bucephalandra sp. Red / Bucephalandra sp.Aurora Blue / Bucephalandra sp. Catherine green / Anubia barteri nana petite golden / Anubia berteri nana petite / Rotala Sp H’ra
Fish & Invertebrates: Paracheirodon simulans / Hyphessobrycon amandae
Valley of Shadows
Aquarium Size W1200×D450×H450(mm)
Aquatic plants: Hydrocotyle tripartita mini / Hydrocotyle tripartita / Marsilea Hirsuta
Eleocharis Japan / Micranthemum Sp Montecarlo / Staurogyne Repens / Hemiathus callitrichoides Cuba / Riccardia chamedryfolia / Ludwigia sp red mini / Higrophila / Pinnatifida / Blyxa japonica / Rotala Wayanad / Hottonia palustris / Callitriche Sp / Limnophila sp vietnam / Rotala rotundifolia / Rotala sp green / Rotala indica / Rotala sp nanjenshan / Ammannia sp bonsai / Echinodorus tenellus blood / Echinodorus tenellus Amano / Lobélia cardinalis small forms / Vesicularia ferriei weeping / Vesicularia montagnei cristmas / Bucephalandra Sp Syntang / Bucephalandra Sp Brownie Phanton / Bucephalandra sp. Red / Bucephalandra sp.Aurora Blue / Bucephalandra sp. Catherine green / Anubia barteri nana petite golden / Anubia berteri nana petite / Rotala Sp H’ra
Fish & Invertebrates: Paracheirodon simulans / Hyphessobrycon amandae
Q What made you get into the planted aquarium hobby?
I got to know this fantastic world in 2014 through a friend, my aquariums were just made up of water, fish and some small decorations, but nothing natural, it was love at first sight, I entered to never leave.
Q What do you find attractive about planted aquariums?
The beauty of the plants, together with the hardscape work, leaving everything very natural, being able to show your feelings at each montage.
Q Where do you get themes, motifs, and ideas for your layouts?
My themes usually come in the moment, I look for components in stores that appeal to me and I put my mind to work. I really appreciate the winning works in IAPLC Booklets and think about what could be extracted and improved. and I get some ideas too.
Q Do you have any special items that you use when creating layouts?
I don’t use anything very special, just my essential tools like brushes of different widths, a saw to cut roots or trunks and imagination
I got to know this fantastic world in 2014 through a friend, my aquariums were just made up of water, fish and some small decorations, but nothing natural, it was love at first sight, I entered to never leave.
Q What do you find attractive about planted aquariums?
The beauty of the plants, together with the hardscape work, leaving everything very natural, being able to show your feelings at each montage.
Q Where do you get themes, motifs, and ideas for your layouts?
My themes usually come in the moment, I look for components in stores that appeal to me and I put my mind to work. I really appreciate the winning works in IAPLC Booklets and think about what could be extracted and improved. and I get some ideas too.
Q Do you have any special items that you use when creating layouts?
I don’t use anything very special, just my essential tools like brushes of different widths, a saw to cut roots or trunks and imagination
Q In the process of creating your work, are there any difficulties or points you had to devise?
In my creations I always have difficulty with hardscape, here in Brazil it is still very expensive and difficult to find good and different things, but changing, thanks to big store, Aquabase.
Q Please tell us about the key points in selecting aquatic plants and fish?
The plants are chosen according to the assembled layout, landscape I use smaller plants so as not to lose scale and a little bigger if it is a Nature Aquarium. Regarding the fish, I like small ones that form shoals that give colors and enhance the assembly.
Q Is there anything you always keep in mind when creating layouts?
I like to give priority to the shadows, I believe it gives strength to the montage, then to the layers and I see a lot of reflections from the side windows and I always try to keep the Brazilian style.
In my creations I always have difficulty with hardscape, here in Brazil it is still very expensive and difficult to find good and different things, but changing, thanks to big store, Aquabase.
Q Please tell us about the key points in selecting aquatic plants and fish?
The plants are chosen according to the assembled layout, landscape I use smaller plants so as not to lose scale and a little bigger if it is a Nature Aquarium. Regarding the fish, I like small ones that form shoals that give colors and enhance the assembly.
Q Is there anything you always keep in mind when creating layouts?
I like to give priority to the shadows, I believe it gives strength to the montage, then to the layers and I see a lot of reflections from the side windows and I always try to keep the Brazilian style.
Q Do you have any secrets for winning awards in the contest?
I don’t have a secret, in addition to the fact that 2022 was the year I was most well positioned. What I have by my side are people connected and passionate about the planted aquarium and who help each other intensely, yes we have a great team behind us.
Q Why did you enter the IAPLC and what do you think is the best part of the contest?
I entered the IAPLC because it is the main planted aquarium contest in the world, where visibility is very high.
Q Please give a message to all planted aquarium enthusiasts around the world.
For everyone who has a planted aquarium at home, send your work to the IAPLC contest and participate in the largest in the world. Never give up on your dreams no matter how hard it is, believe me!! Read and study the winning entries from all years and try to do your best, the results will come.
I don’t have a secret, in addition to the fact that 2022 was the year I was most well positioned. What I have by my side are people connected and passionate about the planted aquarium and who help each other intensely, yes we have a great team behind us.
Q Why did you enter the IAPLC and what do you think is the best part of the contest?
I entered the IAPLC because it is the main planted aquarium contest in the world, where visibility is very high.
Q Please give a message to all planted aquarium enthusiasts around the world.
For everyone who has a planted aquarium at home, send your work to the IAPLC contest and participate in the largest in the world. Never give up on your dreams no matter how hard it is, believe me!! Read and study the winning entries from all years and try to do your best, the results will come.
