Re: Jim Capelle's question on Criteria

["James Purchase" <jpurch@interlog.com>]

Jim Capelle asked:

>The point or question would be about Bio correct systems how are they
>being covered?

I would hope that we should be able to deal with that by sorting the entries
into separate Classes or Divisions for Judging. By that I mean that we could
have a separate "Class" for Biotope Aquascapes, where ONLY those tanks
intended as close approximations of naturally occuring systems would be
judged together against one another - the winner would be the one which was
most successeful at that task (in the view of the Judges, of course).

Theme was suggested as one of the basic Criteria, but after listening to the
points made be several people about the fact that they _don't_ do their
tanks with any particular idea in mind, other than the physical beauty and
attractiveness of the display (in other words, they are gardening) I have to
agree with them that it is not necessary or maybe even desirable to have
Theme as one of the basic Criteria. For example, Olga's aquascape, which
appears on the web-site, is a VERY beautiful tank, yet she has said that is
wasn't done with any particular "Theme" in mind when she set it up. Now, if
"Theme" was a basic Criteria, her efforts could get knocked down in points
or rating due to this fact, and I don't really think that this would be
fair. I don't think that Karen works for biological or geographical accuracy
in her tanks either (I stand to be corrected on this) but from the photos of
her tanks which have been published, her tanks are also very beautiful.

If this showcase/contest were ONLY interested in receiving submissions of
planted aquascapes, the Criteria might be different, but we decided quite a
while ago to be as open as possible to what people want to submit - this is
after all a showcase of how people from all over the world are currently
aquascaping their aquariums - whether or not we, as a group of people
primarily interested in plant tanks, agree with their choices. I think that
the hope is that by comparison, they can come to their _own_ conclusions as
to how beautiful an aquarium can be made by using healthy, living plants.

If the entries are grouped for judging by Categories, then a tank like
Olga's or Karen's, or George B.'s would be judged against similar tanks;
biotope tanks would be judged against biotope tanks; fantasy or fun tanks
could be judged against similar ones; etc. The same basic Criteria would
serve for all the Judging, and the Judges can decide which it the best tank,
in each Class or Division. I think that the Criteria set we have worked out
is a good one, but if you'd care to suggest an alternative or adjustment,
and can convince the rest of the group - feel free to make your suggestions.

Please note, that the above is my opinion only - I've never judged an
aquascaping show in my life and this is only how I _think_ it should be
handled. If anyone has a better idea, please feel free to present your idea.

B.T.W., if you _are_ happy with the Basic Criteria that the group has come
up with, I'd be interested in hearing how you think they should be
"weighted".

James Purchase
Toronto


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