RULES

• Competitors will be chosen based on photos submitted demonstrating their understanding of the principles of aquascaping.
• Contestant registration is not complete until the entry fee is paid in full.  Entry fees are non-refundable.  If an entrant who has registered does not compete, their entry fee and reserved equipment is forfeit.
• Parking is not included in the weekend pass.
• Entrant assumes all responsibility for travel, lodging and other personal expenses.
• Aquascaping must be done within the hours listed below so that attendees can view the work in progress:
  • Friday 2/9 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Saturday 2/10 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• All entries must be finished by 5:00 PM on Saturday, February 10.
• All entries shall be set up on-site.
• All entries shall use all of the Aqueon aquarium equipment provided. Supplemental lighting is permitted.
• Two types of aquascaping substrate will be available on site for the Live Design contest: white silica sand, and Red Flint sand (darker than silica sand and fine, not a gravel).  A dark aquatic plant soil may be included in the equipment package but is not guaranteed, if it is included it may be used. Live Design entrants must use only the substrates available on site.
• Entrants may adhere any background to their aquarium OTHER than painting the aquarium, or use no background at all.
• Entrants will be provided with one package of plants, rock, and wood with which to create their aquascape.  The materials entrants receive will be determined by a draft on-site at 1:00pm Friday 2/9.
• Live animals may be used in the aquascape, but are not required or provided.  Any animals must be of appropriate size and number for the aquarium!
• Nothing on or around the display shall indicate who the entrant is, or display any sponsorship until after the prizes are awarded Sunday.
• Entrants may sell their entry, but a sign indicating that the display is for sale may not be posted until after the prizes are awarded Sunday.
• Judging will take place starting at 5:00pm Saturday, 2/10, at the judging committee’s discretion.
• Winners will be announced at 10:30 AM on Sunday, 2/11.
• All displays shall remain intact until 4:00 PM on Sunday, 2/11.
• Any display or related equipment not removed by 6:00 PM on Sunday will become the property of MAAH.
• Failure to follow these rules may result in forfeit of placement, prizes, entry fee, and sponsored equipment.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Each entry will be judged according to the AGA criteria described below to determine the entry’s score of up to 200 points.

Overall Impression – maximum 50 points

• Does the aquarium as a whole; plants, animals, (if used) and hardscape, create a positive visual impact?
• Do all parts of the aquarium work together to present a harmonious and cohesive whole?
• Do the plants and animals appear healthy?
• Hardware should be as inconspicuous as possible, and clean.
• Water should be clear.

Composition: Balance, Use of Space, Use of Color – maximum 60 points

• Is the aquascape laid out well? Does the aquarist make good use of differences in color, leaf size and shape, and height (growth habit or trimming) to maximize contrast between groups of plants?
• Does the aquarist use the space effectively, balancing planted areas and negative space?
• Do the species and planting enhance or detract from the sense of depth and scale?

Selection & Use of Plants, Hardscape Materials, and Animals – maximum 50 points

• Has the aquarist selected plants appropriately?
• Do the colors, shape, and size of the fish or other animals, if used, harmonize with the plants?
• Are schooling fish present in sufficient numbers to make a suitable school?
• Are hardscape materials well chosen for character, size and form?
• Is the hardscape well balanced and in proper scale for the aquascape?

Viability of Aquascape – maximum 40 points

• With appropriate grooming and maintenance, would the plants selected be suitable for use in the aquarium if maintained as-is for a long period?
• If visible, are the fish and other animals likely to grow too large for the aquarium, cause damage to the aquascape, or each other at adult size?

Please note – Due to the short-term nature of this competition, lack of animals in a tank will NOT be a deduction, although use of appropriate animals, could enhance an aquascape. It is up to the entrants to decide whether or not to use animals in the display, keeping in mind the nature of the competition. Deductions WILL be made for unhealthy animals.

RULES

• Entrant assumes all responsibility for travel, lodging and other personal expenses
• Contestant registration is not complete until the entry fee is paid in full.  Entry fees are non-refundable.  If an entrant who has registered does not compete, their entry fee and reserved equipment is forfeit.
• Parking is not included in the weekend pass.
• Aquascaping must be done within the hours listed below so that attendees can view the work in progress:
  • Friday 2/9 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
  • Saturday 2/10 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• All entries must be finished by 5:00 PM on Saturday, February 10
• All entries shall be set up on-site; no swap-outs – no exceptions
• All entries shall use all of the Aqueon aquarium equipment provided.  Supplemental lighting is permitted.
• Two types of aquascaping substrate will be available on site: white silica sand and Red Flint sand (darker than silica sand and fine, not a gravel).  Entrants are welcome to bring their own substrate.  If we are able to find a substrate sponsor, a plant-specific substrate may be included in the equipment package.
• Entrants may adhere any background to their aquarium OTHER than painting the aquarium, or use no background at all.
• Entrants are responsible for choosing and providing any hardscape, plants and animals for their aquascape. These materials may be grown out ahead of time in any way desired by the entrant, including a similarly-sized tank, and brought to the site ready to reassemble.
• Live animals may be used in the aquascape, but are not required or provided.  Any animals must be of appropriate size and number for the aquarium!
• Nothing on or around the display shall indicate who the entrant is, or display any sponsorship until after the prizes are awarded Sunday.
• Entrants may sell their entry, but a sign indicating that the display is for sale may not be posted until after the prizes are awarded Sunday.
• Judging will take place starting at 5:00pm Saturday, 2/10, at the judging committee’s discretion.
• Winners will be announced at 10:30 AM on Sunday, 2/11
• All displays shall remain intact until 4:00 PM on Sunday, 2/11.
• Any display or related equipment not removed by 6:00 PM on Sunday will become the property of MAAH.
• Failure to follow event rules may result in forfeit of placement, prizes, entry fee, and sponsored equipment.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Each entry will be judged according to the AGA criteria described below to determine the entry’s score of up to 200 points.

Overall Impression – maximum 50 points

• Does the aquarium as a whole; plants, animals, (if used) and hardscape, create a positive visual impact?
• Do all parts of the aquarium work together to present a harmonious and cohesive whole?
• Do the plants and animals appear healthy?
• Hardware should be as inconspicuous as possible, and clean.
• Water should be clear.

Composition: Balance, Use of Space, Use of Color – maximum 60 points

• Is the aquascape laid out well? Does the aquarist make good use of differences in color, leaf size and shape, and height (growth habit or trimming) to maximize contrast between groups of plants?
• Does the aquarist use the space effectively, balancing planted areas and negative space?
• Do the species and planting enhance or detract from the sense of depth and scale?

Selection & Use of Plants, Hardscape Materials, and Animals – maximum 50 points

• Has the aquarist selected plants appropriately?
• Do the colors, shape, and size of the fish or other animals, if used, harmonize with the plants?
• Are schooling fish present in sufficient numbers to make a suitable school?
• Are hardscape materials well chosen for character, size and form?
• Is the hardscape well balanced and in proper scale for the aquascape?

Viability of Aquascape – maximum 40 points

• With appropriate grooming and maintenance, would the plants selected be suitable for use in the aquarium if maintained as-is for a long period?
• If visible, are the fish and other animals likely to grow too large for the aquarium, cause damage to the aquascape, or each other at adult size?

Please note – Due to the short-term nature of this competition, lack of animals in a tank will NOT be a deduction, although use of appropriate animals, could enhance an aquascape. It is up to the entrants to decide whether or not to use animals in the display, keeping in mind the nature of the competition. Deductions WILL be made for unhealthy animals.

The online block will close at 11:59pm on January 26, 2018.

PLEASE NOTE: Once you have completed your reservation, you should receive an acknowledgment email immediately. However, it may take up to 72 hours for the hotel to process your reservation and assign a confirmation number. Once that occurs, you will receive a confirmation email containing your confirmation number(s) via the Garden Expo Housing Bureau (services@visitmadison.com).

Looking to cancel or modify your existing reservation?

• Please do not contact the hotel directly unless it is within 72 hours of your arrival.
• To modify or cancel an existing reservation, please refer to the “Request for Change” link located at the bottom of your confirmation email.
• If you need your confirmation resent, please email services@visitmadison.com

If you have questions about the Garden Expo hotel block, please e-mail services@visitmadison.com