IAPLC 2024.08.09
IAPLC CREATOR’S FILE #13 Mario Schätz
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.
Mario Schätz
Age: 45 years old
Country: Austria
Occupation: Theatre technician
Aquarium experience: 11 years
Past awards: First participation in a competition
Other hobbies: Fly fishing
Your social media accounts (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, etc.):
https://www.instagram.com/b30nd?igsh=Y3hkMXp0YXpybHpx&utm_source=qr
Age: 45 years old
Country: Austria
Occupation: Theatre technician
Aquarium experience: 11 years
Past awards: First participation in a competition
Other hobbies: Fly fishing
Your social media accounts (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, etc.):
https://www.instagram.com/b30nd?igsh=Y3hkMXp0YXpybHpx&utm_source=qr
IAPLC 2023 WORLD RANKING 0014
constancy
Aquarium Size W900×D450×H450(mm)
constancy
Aquarium Size W900×D450×H450(mm)
The most important thing is always to have fun with the hobby and to be at it with heart and feeling.
Q What made you start doing aquascape layouts?
I think through my father, he always had aquariums with cichlids in my childhood.
Q What inspired you to participate in the IAPLC?
I’ve always been enthusiastic about small ponds, streams as well as the plants and wildlife around them. That’s why I think an aquarium is a wonderful way to bring this fantastic world home.
Q Where did you get the theme, motif, and idea for this layout?
My second hobby is wonderful for collecting ideas for new layouts. When fly fishing, I often hike along streams and rivers where I always discover beautiful scenarios that nature has created.
Q Are there any items you are particular about when creating a layout?
Q4. Not infrequently I find driftwood or stones that I like to use in my layouts.
I think through my father, he always had aquariums with cichlids in my childhood.
Q What inspired you to participate in the IAPLC?
I’ve always been enthusiastic about small ponds, streams as well as the plants and wildlife around them. That’s why I think an aquarium is a wonderful way to bring this fantastic world home.
Q Where did you get the theme, motif, and idea for this layout?
My second hobby is wonderful for collecting ideas for new layouts. When fly fishing, I often hike along streams and rivers where I always discover beautiful scenarios that nature has created.
Q Are there any items you are particular about when creating a layout?
Q4. Not infrequently I find driftwood or stones that I like to use in my layouts.
Q During the layout creation process, were there any challenges or points where you had to innovate?
During the first weeks after planting the Iwagumi, I noticed a lot that the plants did not grow well in the shade of the main stone. I solved the problem by placing a handful of smaller stones at this point.
Q Can you tell us anything about how you selected aquatic plants and fish?
First and foremost, I always pay attention to the special needs of fish and plants. Especially with an Iwagumi, it is very important to select fish that like to swim in open water. Trigonostigma espei are wonderful fish for such layouts.
During the first weeks after planting the Iwagumi, I noticed a lot that the plants did not grow well in the shade of the main stone. I solved the problem by placing a handful of smaller stones at this point.
Q Can you tell us anything about how you selected aquatic plants and fish?
First and foremost, I always pay attention to the special needs of fish and plants. Especially with an Iwagumi, it is very important to select fish that like to swim in open water. Trigonostigma espei are wonderful fish for such layouts.
Right: completion
Q Do you have any guiding principles you keep in mind when creating layouts?
I enjoy the process of creating a layout from the first thoughts to planting and beyond.
Q What are the key points in selecting aquatic plants and fish species?
The most important thing is always to have fun with the hobby and to be at it with heart and feeling.
Q What motivated you to apply to IAPLC, and what do you think is the best part about it?
I was persuaded by friends to participate in the competition. Normally, the idea of competition is far from me, but it is still a great experience that connects aquarists worldwide.
Q Please tell me about the activities of the aquarium club you belong to.
I am lucky to have a great aquarium shop (Liquid Nature) near me. Meetings of a wonderful community take place here regularly. Young and old can exchange ideas about our wonderful hobby.
Q Do you have a message you would like to tell to all the aquatic plant enthusiasts worldwide?
Aquaristics connects, it is important to incorporate the passion in order to give younger generations the feeling for Mother Nature and her creatures.
I enjoy the process of creating a layout from the first thoughts to planting and beyond.
Q What are the key points in selecting aquatic plants and fish species?
The most important thing is always to have fun with the hobby and to be at it with heart and feeling.
Q What motivated you to apply to IAPLC, and what do you think is the best part about it?
I was persuaded by friends to participate in the competition. Normally, the idea of competition is far from me, but it is still a great experience that connects aquarists worldwide.
Q Please tell me about the activities of the aquarium club you belong to.
I am lucky to have a great aquarium shop (Liquid Nature) near me. Meetings of a wonderful community take place here regularly. Young and old can exchange ideas about our wonderful hobby.
Q Do you have a message you would like to tell to all the aquatic plant enthusiasts worldwide?
Aquaristics connects, it is important to incorporate the passion in order to give younger generations the feeling for Mother Nature and her creatures.
