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.

 

[anewbie]

I look for consistency in stocking - does it make sense to put an angelfish in a 10 or to put cardinals in hard water with guppies and so forth. I also reject artificial decoration like plastic plants, ceramic figures, candy cane substrate and so forth. I reject putting the wrong kind of substrate in for the stocking - while cardinals might not care about the substrate putting geo in with gravel is a big no-no.

I check the age of aquariums - a 1 week old very nice look aquarium will not win over an aquarium that is so so in appeal that has been setup for 2 years - the reason is that the aquarium hasn't had time to bake and the plants haven't had time to establish their true 'nature' for the environment.

After all that i pick the tank i like looking at.

 

[Gertrudae]

I also prefer themed or biotope aquariums, which above all provide a good habitat for the inhabitants.

And I appreciate the effort that someone puts in. If there are things in the picture that don't belong there, e.g. if you can see through the aquarium and see a vacuum cleaner or clothes horse, I would tend not to vote for it. In general, I prefer aquariums with a background, even if it's just black foil.

For my picture in the current competition, I hung a black cloth behind the aquarium so that the terrestial plants would stand out well. Normally, this isn't there for space reasons, but I arranged it there for the picture. It's like choosing a suitable frame to show a picture off to its best advantage.

 

[gimme30]

I'm glad you asked this question. I've been wondering myself if there were some sort of criteria beyond who has the most plants crammed in there. Because that certainly seems to be the trend with most winners since I've been a member. Fat chance my tanks will ever be considered anywhere near lush so no point in my entering.
Plants are secondary to me, so I'll always vote based on the fish instead.

 

[GaryE]

The way I look at it, this is more an aquarium set up contest. There are fish of the month, and sometimes that involves fish I keep. There, I participate. Pet of the month doesn't interest me, as my dog's incredible beauty isn't from anything I did. If you love your iguana, a tarantula or a puppy, who am I to judge them? But fish, plants, tank set ups - it's worth showing as it gives others ideas.

In most tank shots, you can't really see the species in there.

I am a lousy plant grower, so I don't even try for tank of the month, unless no one is posting and there's a need to fill out the dance card. I like the set ups from the plant growing people. If I were ever to win tank of the month, it would be a disgrace. I'm all function and not a lot of form with my aquariums.

I vote in all aquarium related contests though.

 

[Back in the fold]

Aquarium beautiful doesn’t thrill me . Showpiece aquariums are everywhere and common . I would like to see an aquarium that’s set up for a specific purpose . A bare bones fry raising tank is much more interesting to me than an Amano style planted aquarium . Wouldn’t mind seeing someone’s set up for coaxing a difficult species to spawn either .

 

[Gertrudae]

In most tank shots, you can't really see the species in there.

Then further images should be allowed to show details.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

In most tank shots, you can't really see the species in there.

That's why I tend to make videos of my tanks for contests, instead of just a photo. I'm lousy at capturing a tank in a single photo. Some people pull it off, though, and I like those pictures.

What I look for, in approximate order of importance: I tend to vote for tanks that are
1. Healthy looking, and healthy based on the description. This includes things like compatibility, plant growth if applicable, good water parameters.
2. Pleasing to the eye. That can mean a lot of things. I like planted tanks, but I'd love to see (and probably vote for) some of Gary's utilitarian tanks. Those often have a whole different kind of beauty.
3. The first two being equal, I tend to lean toward biotopish tanks. I like tanks that take me somewhere, or that tell a story about where and when and how.
4. The first three being approximately equal, I will sometimes vote for the person who doesn't have any votes, and I will often vote for a person with no badges yet, if I feel their tank is deserving.

 

[gimme30]

I will sometimes vote for the person who doesn't have any votes,

ATTENTION TFF MEMBERS! Currently soliciting like-minded people to vote for ME in the next contest. My biotopes are mixed, my fishies are common, and my plants, while dying, are shoved in haphazardly without any artistic regard! My pic will also include plenty of shrimp molts, because nothing says BEAUTY like rotting carcasses! Best of all you won't have to view it through a screen of snails....but if that's your thing, I can AI some in! Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Seriously, we need an Ugly TOTM contest.

 

[GaryE]

Truly ugly tanks I've seen have taken weeks or months to develop, and involve far too many carcasses and oversized fishes in misery. Let's always think of the bright side of life!

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Seriously, we need an Ugly TOTM contest.

It has been discussed before.

 

[gwand]

Why reward an ugly tank? An ugly tank makes me think of an unhealthy tank for its inhabitants. But maybe I’m missing something.