Have you ever wondered how a judge can score a Dutch scape verses a Japanese Style aquascape equally?
I mean I couldn't imagine how to decide which one is better then the other. They are incomparable!
Dutch tanks to me seem extremely intricate and complicated. Besides the variety of plant species posing as a challenge, a Dutch tank takes into account trimming techniques, plant height, grouping, scape depth, colors and many other factors not really emphasized in a Japanese aquascape.
Japanese Aquascapes to me are more harmony oriented, meaning the goal is to recreate nature's beauty using a balance of hardscape and plants. You'll notice in the ADA contests and AGA aquascaping competitions the winning nature scapes are often composed of "easier" slow growing, plant species. Unlike Dutch tanks where the focus is on plants species, groups and trimming, this style's challenge appears to be more with hardscape and plant arrangement.
Can you compare the two tanks and judge them equally?
I know some our esteemed aquascapers in our community have judged some of competitions in their day. I hope to hear what you think on the subject too.
-John N.