What do you look for in a contest tank?

[GaryE]

We have these regular contests, and they show us really interesting set ups. There are a lot of people here who have fun arranging and setting up tanks.

When I look at photos of this work, it can be really hard to choose. I still make a point of voting in almost every, if not every contest where people "show their work".

I look at depth front to back. Does the tank create an air of mystery, and does it play with lines of perspective? Are the plants both healthy and varied? Are the plants well established? Does the tank look natural and 'lived in'? Are the fish sizes proportionate to the set up? Are they too large, too crowded or kept in decent sized groups for the needs of the species? Is the information provided complete enough that it would help someone who liked the photo and wanted to go in a similar direction?

I'm curious about what other people look at. Most of the contests are full of smack you in the face beauty. How do you decide where to place your vote?

 

[Magnum Man]

I appreciate most entries, as most often the person has taken the time ( something I traditionally have not had a lot of ) to list all their plants and fish... above taking the required pictures, and maintaining the tank... I don't often enter any more, both because of that time constraint, and apparently my tastes vary from most members... as far as voting I look for balance, but in the end, I'm a fish guy, so a tank more full of plants, than fish, doesn't typically get my vote, although I understand it's an aquarium contest, not specifically "fish tank" contest... though I've yet to see a glass box with beautifully arranged plastic plants win a contest yet

I like to see either fish I personally have an interest in, or fish I've never seen

 

[gwand]

While beautifully aquascaped tanks are impressive as eye candy, I prefer authenticity. In a multiple species tank do the fish occupy the same niche as in the wild? Would the plants, rocks, wood and substrate be found in the wild with these fish? I generally prefer a tank with a theme like my Lake Tanganyika tank.

 

[emeraldking]

It remains a personal preference which tank to choose. I don't have anything specific that I want to see in a tank. When a tank contest has started, I only focus on what appeals me most when I'm in the moment of choosing.