Creativity, precision, a passion for nature, and eight hours in which every detail mattered. These were some of the defining elements of an international competition where 12 passionate aquascapers showcased their talent and skills in creating spectacular underwater landscapes. Held on October 24–25, 2026, in Lublin, Poland, the fifth edition of Aqua Show RockScaping brought a remarkable achievement for Romania: Adrian Cristian Asaftei, Tetra Romania Brand Ambassador, secured first place, competing against experienced aquascapers at an event that brought together prominent figures from the international aquascaping community.
Held as part of the ZOOPARK exhibition at the Targi Lublin Exhibition Centre, this year’s competition marked an important milestone in its development. For the first time, Aqua Show RockScaping adopted an international format, bringing together contestants from several countries and a judging panel of renowned experts in the field.
Beyond the competition results, the event once again demonstrated just how spectacular the art of aquascaping can be when technical expertise meets imagination and artistic vision. Rocks, aquatic plants, and the seemingly limited space of an aquarium were transformed by the contestants into compositions inspired by natural landscapes, each with its own distinctive visual identity.
Adrian Cristian Asaftei’s victory represents not only a significant personal achievement but also a source of pride for Romania’s aquascaping community. His success also provides an opportunity to explore the story behind Aqua Show RockScaping, the competition’s evolution over the years, and the challenges participants must overcome to create a harmonious underwater landscape in just a few hours.
For more photos and videos from the event, visit Cristian’s Facebook and Instagram pages, where you can discover a wide selection of authentic posts capturing the atmosphere and highlights of the competition.
Aqua Show RockScaping – A Competition Born from a Passion for Aquascaping
Aquascaping is an art form that combines aquarium keeping, the principles of visual composition, and inspiration drawn from nature. Unlike conventional aquarium setups, where the primary focus may be on fish species and the conditions required for their care, aquascaping aims to create a harmonious underwater landscape in which every element contributes to the overall balance of the composition.
Rocks, driftwood, substrate, and aquatic plants are used to recreate or artistically interpret natural features such as rocky slopes, valleys, forests, riverbanks, and other landscapes that take on a new expression within the confines of an aquarium.
Aqua Show RockScaping is part of this creative world. Held in Poland, the competition focuses on creating aquascapes in which rocks play a central role in shaping the underwater landscape.
The event is associated with the Aqua Show project, which is dedicated to promoting nature-inspired aquarium keeping, encouraging knowledge sharing, and fostering the aquascaping community. Over the years, the competition has given participants the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in front of a live audience, in a format that emphasizes creativity, technical expertise, and the ability to develop a compelling composition within a limited timeframe.
(Adrian Cristian Asaftei – Tetra Romania Brand Ambassador)
From National Competitions to an International Event
The documented history of Aqua Show RockScaping includes an edition held in 2019, referenced in the archives of Polish specialist publications as the Aqua Show Live Rockscaping Contest 2019. The live format is one of the competition’s defining features: rather than presenting aquascapes prepared in advance, contestants create their underwater landscapes on-site, under competition conditions.
Another documented edition took place on October 7–8, 2023, as part of the ZOOPARK exhibition in Lublin. The aquascapes created during the event were featured in a dedicated competition gallery, giving the public an opportunity to explore different artistic and technical approaches to rock-based aquascaping.
In 2024, Aqua Show RockScaping continued to attract experienced aquascapers. Among the contestants was Marcin Zając, a well-known figure in the Polish aquascaping community, who secured third place. He had previously finished second in the 2023 edition, demonstrating both consistency and experience in competitive aquascaping.
A comparison of the documented aquascapes from 2023 and 2024 with the regulations for the 2026 edition also reveals a change in aquarium dimensions. Previous editions featured aquascapes created in tanks measuring 60 × 30 × 36 cm, whereas contestants in 2026 were provided with larger aquariums measuring 90 × 45 × 45 cm. The additional space offers greater opportunities to create a sense of depth and develop more elaborate compositions, but it also introduces different technical challenges, particularly when working under strict time constraints.
2026 Marked a Milestone in the Evolution of Aqua Show RockScaping
Now in its fifth edition, the competition expanded beyond its national boundaries and adopted an international format for the first time. This development brought together contestants with diverse backgrounds and artistic styles, alongside a judging panel with extensive experience in competitive aquascaping.
The transformation of Aqua Show RockScaping into an international event reflects the growing interest in this art form and highlights the importance of live competitions in strengthening aquascaping communities. Such events provide not only an opportunity to compare different creations and techniques but also a meeting place for enthusiasts, professionals, and brands committed to supporting modern aquarium keeping.
For the 2026 edition, this evolution set the stage for a particularly exciting competition, in which 12 contestants, selected based on their experience and previous work, faced the same challenge: to transform an empty aquarium into a spectacular underwater landscape in just eight hours.
Aqua Show RockScaping 2026 – The First International Edition
On October 24–25, 2026, the Targi Lublin Exhibition Centre in Poland hosted the fifth edition of Aqua Show RockScaping, held as part of the ZOOPARK exhibition. The event marked an important milestone in the competition’s history, as it was the first edition to be held in an international format.
The organizers aimed to bring together talented aquascapers capable of transforming a limited space into a spectacular underwater landscape, primarily using rocks and aquatic plants. The 2026 edition also featured an international judging panel composed of experienced specialists in the field.
The competition took place in front of a live audience at ZOOPARK, giving visitors the opportunity to watch the aquascapes take shape. Unlike competitions where participants submit photographs of previously completed aquarium layouts, the live format requires contestants to create their compositions on-site, within a set timeframe and under the same conditions.
For this reason, Aqua Show RockScaping is more than just a showcase of creativity. It is also a test of technical expertise, organizational skills, and the ability to make quick decisions under pressure.
How Were the 12 Contestants Selected?
Participation in Aqua Show RockScaping 2026 involved a selection process designed to ensure a high standard of competition. According to the official rules, aspiring contestants could submit their applications until September 17, 2026, by providing a photograph showcasing one of their best previously completed aquascapes.
The photograph had to show a front view of the aquarium, and image editing was limited to cropping and sharpness adjustments. Alterations that would misrepresent the actual appearance of the aquascape were not permitted. Applicants were also allowed to submit photographs of layouts previously entered in other competitions.
Based on the applications received, the organizers selected 12 contestants, the maximum number permitted under the competition rules. This selection process allowed them to assess the applicants’ experience and previously demonstrated skills before they faced the challenges of a live aquascaping competition.
The 2026 contestants were: Adrian Cristian Asaftei, Marcin Biedal, Marcin Zając, Michał Jaskowiak, Przemysław Lernaciński, Jiří Pova, Tomasz Matysiak, Adam Woźniakowski, Łukasz Ciszkowski, Vladimir Tomek, Adam Dziadek, and Srinath Srinivasan.
The presence of returning contestants from previous editions, alongside aquascapers from outside Poland, contributed to the diversity of artistic styles and creative approaches.
Eight Hours to Create an Underwater Landscape
One of the greatest challenges of Aqua Show RockScaping is the limited time contestants have to complete their aquascapes. In the 2026 edition, participants were given eight hours, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on October 24, to create a rock-based aquascape using the aquariums and materials provided by the organizers.
Each contestant worked with an aquarium measuring 90 × 45 × 45 cm, a size that allows for complex compositions with varying perspectives and a strong sense of depth.
Although these dimensions provide ample room to develop an elaborate underwater landscape, careful planning remains essential. Rock placement, structural stability, the choice of focal point, plant arrangement, and overall visual harmony are all factors that influence the final result.
Equal Conditions, Different Artistic Interpretations
To ensure comparable competition conditions, the rules required contestants to use the materials and equipment provided by the organizers and their partners. Participants were supplied with aquariums and aquarium stands from Diversa, Tetra EX 1000 Plus external filters, Tetra HT heaters, Skylight lighting systems, as well as rocks and substrates provided by Rotala.
The materials needed to create the rock-based hardscape were available on-site in limited quantities and were distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Contestants were permitted to use only the hardscape materials and adhesives supplied by the organizers. They could also select, free of charge, up to 45 pots of aquatic plants in advance, choosing from a list made available before the event. The rules allowed participants to bring their own aquarium backgrounds, but they were required to provide their own aquascaping tools, as these were not supplied by the organizers.
Safety was another important consideration. Cutting and breaking rocks required particular care, and contestants were required to wear protective eyewear to prevent injuries.
At the end of the eight-hour competition period, each contestant was required to complete their aquascape and leave their workstation clean.
Creativity Under Time Pressure
In a live aquascaping competition, technical expertise is just as important as artistic inspiration. Contestants must quickly assess the available materials, select suitable rocks, and determine how to incorporate them into a cohesive composition.
Creating a rock-based landscape requires an understanding of proportions, visual balance, and perspective. The size and orientation of the rocks, the use of negative space, and the relationship between planted and unplanted areas can significantly influence the overall visual impact.
At the same time, the layout must be structurally stable, while aquatic plants need to complement the composition without obscuring the essential elements of the hardscape. All these decisions must be made within a limited timeframe, turning each stage of the process into an exercise in precision, organization, and adaptability.
How Were the Aquascapes Judged?
The Aqua Show RockScaping 2026 rules established three main judging criteria, each with a maximum score:
Overall Impression – 40 Points
This criterion carries the greatest weight in the evaluation and reflects the visual impact of the aquascape as a whole. The harmony of the composition, the expressiveness of the landscape, and its ability to convey a particular atmosphere are all relevant aspects when assessing a layout.
Composition – 30 Points
The composition criterion focuses on how the elements are arranged within the aquarium. Proportions, perspective, the balance between solid forms and open spaces, and the placement of focal points all contribute to creating a cohesive underwater landscape.
Use of Materials – 30 Points
This criterion highlights how effectively contestants make use of rocks, substrate, and other available materials. The selection and integration of natural elements, the quality of execution, and the creative use of resources all contribute to the final result.
Each judge could award a maximum of 100 points per aquascape, with the final rankings determined by the total score received by each contestant.
Through this judging system, the competition aimed to recognize both the artistic quality of the aquascapes and the technical skills required to bring them to life.
An Internationally Experienced Judging Panel
For the first international edition of Aqua Show RockScaping, the organizers brought together three aquascaping specialists: Takayuki Fukada, Adam Paszczela, and Pavol Kulanda. Their presence was an important aspect of the competition, bringing different professional perspectives to the evaluation of the aquascapes.
Takayuki Fukada – Two-Time IAPLC Grand Prize Winner
Takayuki Fukada is an internationally renowned Japanese aquascaper who won the Grand Prize at the International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest (IAPLC) in two consecutive years, 2015 and 2016. The IAPLC is one of the world’s most prestigious international competitions dedicated to planted aquarium layouts, attracting entries from aquascapers across numerous countries each year.
Takayuki Fukada’s achievements and his experience in creating award-winning compositions at the highest level made him a particularly distinguished member of the 2026 judging panel.
Adam Paszczela and Pavol Kulanda
Alongside Takayuki Fukada, the judging panel included Adam Paszczela and Pavol Kulanda, who were invited to contribute their expertise to the evaluation of the aquascapes created by the 12 contestants.
The composition of the judging panel reflected the organizers’ ambition to establish Aqua Show RockScaping as an event with international visibility and to give participants the opportunity to present their work before recognized specialists in the field.
For this year’s contestants, being evaluated by such a panel represented a decisive stage of the competition and an opportunity to gain professional recognition within the international aquascaping community.
Tetra – Exclusive Partner of Aqua Show RockScaping 2026
Organizing an international aquascaping competition involves more than bringing together talented contestants and an experienced judging panel. It also requires providing the technical conditions necessary for creating the aquascapes. The equipment, materials, and resources available to participants play an important role in ensuring the success of an event of this scale.
At the 2026 edition, Tetra was the exclusive partner of the Aqua Show RockScaping competition, supporting the organization of the event and providing the prize fund for the best aquascapes.
The total prize fund of PLN 11,000 (Polish zlotys) was provided by Tetra and distributed among the top three contestants as follows:
1st Place: PLN 5,000
2nd Place: PLN 3,500
3rd Place: PLN 2,500
In addition to providing financial support for the competition, Tetra was among the brands that contributed to equipping the aquariums used by the contestants. According to the official competition rules, the equipment provided included Tetra EX 1000 Plus external filters and Tetra HT heaters, products designed to help maintain suitable conditions in freshwater aquariums.
Effective filtration and temperature control are essential components of a balanced aquatic ecosystem. In a planted aquarium, equipment must help maintain a stable aquatic environment without compromising the aesthetic appeal of the layout.
Through its involvement in Aqua Show RockScaping 2026, Tetra reaffirmed its commitment to supporting aquarium keeping and the international aquascaping community, a field where knowledge of aquatic environments meets a passion for nature and artistic creativity.
An Event Supported by Specialized Aquarium Brands
Alongside Tetra, several other brands from the aquarium industry contributed to the competition. Diversa supplied the aquariums and matching stands, Rotala provided materials for creating the aquascapes, while Skylight supplied the lighting systems.
The event’s partners also included Aqua Specto and Senus Group, while aquatic plants were provided by Tropica Aquarium Plants and Dennerle, two well-known names in the planted aquarium industry.
In addition, CatFish – sklep zoologiczny served as the competition’s official partner store, and the event took place as part of the ZOOPARK exhibition.
The collaboration between the organizers and specialized industry partners helped create an environment in which contestants could focus on their main challenge: creating original underwater landscapes within a limited timeframe and under competition conditions.
Adrian Cristian Asaftei, Tetra Romania Brand Ambassador – First Place at Aqua Show RockScaping 2026
Among the 12 aquascapes created during the international edition of Aqua Show RockScaping 2026, the work of Adrian Cristian Asaftei, Tetra Romania Brand Ambassador, received the highest score from the judging panel, securing him first place in the competition.
His achievement is all the more significant considering that this year’s edition brought together experienced contestants, some of whom had already earned podium finishes in aquascaping competitions. Adrian’s victory represents recognition of his creativity, technical expertise, and ability to translate an artistic vision into a harmonious underwater landscape.
In a competition where every participant had the same eight-hour timeframe and worked with materials provided by the organizers, what made the difference was how effectively each aquascaper used the available resources and expressed their individual artistic vision.
For Romania’s aquarium-keeping community, this achievement is a source of pride and a testament to the fact that talent and passion for aquascaping can earn recognition on the international stage. At the same time, Adrian’s success holds special significance for Tetra Romania, as one of the brand’s ambassadors achieved this outstanding result in an international competition supported by Tetra itself.
The Story Behind the Winning Aquascape
Beyond the final result, every aquascape begins with an idea, a creative process, and a series of technical decisions that shape its development. In live competitions, these aspects become even more fascinating, as contestants must adapt their artistic vision to the available materials and limited time.
To discover the story behind the winning aquascape, we take a closer look at the concept that inspired Adrian’s creation, how he selected and positioned the rocks, his approach to incorporating aquatic plants, and the challenges he faced during the eight-hour competition.
Tetra Romania: What was the concept behind the aquascape that won you first place at Aqua Show RockScaping 2026? What inspired you, and what did you want to convey through the underwater landscape you created?
Adrian Cristian Asaftei: The concept I wanted to explore with my aquarium was the abyss. I imagined myself swimming somewhere in the depths, trying to make my way up towards the surface and the light. That’s why my aquascape has such a dark appearance, with just a single circle of light.
Of course, the idea itself isn’t new. Other aquascapers have used it before, and I drew some inspiration from their work. However, I wanted to make sure my aquarium didn’t look too similar to anything that had already been created. I tried to introduce small creative touches and modifications so that it wouldn’t feel like a copy.
To help me with this, I always turn to a collection of photographs saved on my phone, featuring either other aquascapes or scenes from nature.
T.R.: What was the biggest challenge you faced during the competition? With only eight hours available and materials selected under the conditions set by the organizers, did you have to adapt your original concept along the way?
A.C.A.: The biggest challenge was gluing so many individual pieces together. Another major difficulty was finding enough rocks with exactly the same characteristics to maintain the flow and visual dynamics of my aquascape.
That’s also one of the reasons why I decided to use fewer plants than originally planned, relying mainly on moss and a few small plants to add detail.
T.R.: What do you think made your aquascape stand out from the others? Are there any particular technical or artistic details you’re especially pleased with?
A.C.A.: I think what set my aquarium apart was its dark appearance, especially compared with the other aquascapes, which were much brighter.
Perhaps the fact that I created something completely different was what drew attention to it. That’s something I always find rewarding: creating something different, something with a strong visual impact, even though it comes with a risk. People might really appreciate it, or they might find it difficult to accept.
Taking that kind of risk can lead to either excellent or very disappointing results. In my case, it was a success.
T.R.: How did you feel when the winner was announced, and what does taking first place at the first international edition of Aqua Show RockScaping mean to you?
A.C.A.: I can’t remember the last time I felt so emotional. I wanted this victory very much, for several reasons.
First of all, I’m a competitive person. I always want to prove my abilities, to show that I’m good at what I do, and I want to win. I also believe that competing is a way of measuring my own progress.
The second reason was that I didn’t want to disappoint the people who support me, including the brands I collaborate with. Most of the time, they have more confidence in my work than I have in myself.
T.R.: What advice would you give to aquarium enthusiasts in Romania who would like to discover aquascaping or perhaps even take part in an international competition one day?
A.C.A.: My advice to anyone who wants to improve is to practise as much as possible and keep experimenting. Sometimes, we learn from our own mistakes.
It’s also important to believe in yourself. We can’t expect to reach the highest level on our very first attempt. That’s why it’s essential to keep practising, keep trying, and believe that one day you’ll succeed.
Aqua Show RockScaping 2026 – Final Rankings
The international edition of Aqua Show RockScaping 2026 concluded with a victory for Adrian Cristian Asaftei, who was joined on the podium by two experienced Polish contestants, Marcin Biedal and Marcin Zając.
The final rankings of all 12 contestants were as follows:
1st Place – Adrian Cristian Asaftei
2nd Place – Marcin Biedal
3rd Place – Marcin Zając
4th Place – Michał Jaskowiak
5th Place – Przemysław Lernaciński
6th Place – Jiří Pova
7th Place – Tomasz Matysiak
8th Place – Adam Woźniakowski
9th Place – Łukasz Ciszkowski
10th Place – Vladimir Tomek
11th Place – Adam Dziadek
12th Place – Srinath Srinivasan
This year’s competition highlighted the diversity of artistic styles and creative approaches among the contestants, with each aquascape offering a personal interpretation of the natural landscape.
The participation of aquascapers who had also competed in previous editions demonstrates the continued interest in this event and helps strengthen a community where experience, creativity, and the desire for continuous improvement come together.