Plant
Rotala sp. ‘Nanjenshan’
Rotala sp. Hra
Limnophila sp ‘Vietnam’
Hygrophila pinnatifida
Hygrophila sp. ‘Araguaya Sharp Leaf’
Hygrophila sp. ‘Tiger’
Eleocharis minima
Micranthemum sp. ‘Monte Carlo’
Hemianthus calitrichoides ‘Cuba’
Bucephalandra sp.
Microsorum pteropus ‘Windelov’
Anubias barteri var.nana ‘Pangolino’
Marsilea angustifolia
Marsilea hirsute
Taxiphyllum sp.
Vesicularia montagnei
Fissidens fontanus
Riccardia chamedryfolia
Utricularia graminifolia
Staurogyne repens
Blyxa japonica
Pogostemon helferi

Fish
Paracheirodon simulans
Hyphessobrycon elachys
Nannostomus marginatus
Tucanoichthys tucano

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Age: 53 years old
Occupation: Architect
Years of experience in the aquarium hobby: 45 years
Record of awards in the past IAPLC:
IAPLC2011         18th
IAPLC2012         18th
IAPLC2013         20th
IAPLC2014         43rd
IAPLC2015         10th
IAPLC2016         50th
IAPLC2017         4th
IAPLC2018         31th
IAPLC2019         33th

AJ　Tell us what you wanted to express with your layout work; layout theme, motif, ideas behind your winning work.

This year I decided to work with rocks again, my favorite material, but in a different way. I decided to put many small rocks together to create my landscape. My intention was to recreate the organic forms of the driftwoods, but with the rocks. Many years ago I learned the importance of shadows in my works, and this time I worried about working a lot with shadows, trying to generate the greatest possible impact when evaluated by the judges. As always, I mixed a lot of color following the Brazilian style already much appreciated and known. I tried to pay special attention to the reflections in the side glasses, another high valued point, making the layout even more panoramic. The chosen title alludes to my intimate relationship with the rocks, almost as if I could hear their whispers, and why not, speak about the shadows again.

 

AJ　What was the most difficult aspect of creating and maintaining this layout work?

The most difficult part of this work was the creation of the layout using hundreds of small rocks, as I was tireless in the search for the most natural curves, creating a flow that ran through the entire work. During flora development, the most challenging was to reconcile shade plants such as Riccardia moss with fast-growing plants such as Rotala.

AJ　What fascinates or attracts you the most about the planted aquarium hobby?

The planted aquarium is fascinating because of its dynamism. You can create a layout this year, and next year create a totally different one. Even in the same layout, you can try new plants, change the color of the plants, change the lighting style, that is, there are endless possibilities for your imagination!

 

AJ　Do you have any tips for winning in the IAPLC?

To win at IAPLC, you should not be concerned with winning, but with learning to connect with Nature, and let your soul guide you through your work. Of course you will need to dedicate yourself and work hard for months, but for those who have aquascaping in their veins, this will never be a hard job!

 

AJ　If you belong to any aquarium circles or clubs, please tell us about their activities.

I belong to Aquabase Layout Team, a family where each one participates and helps, advising, criticizing, supporting each other. A group of friends passionate about aquascaping who know how to respect and contemplate Nature.

 

AJ　What do you think about the IAPLC?

IAPLC is the biggest, most important and most prestigious aquascaping contest worldwide!