This is not just the best Aquascaping tutorial, I’ve ever seen, it’s simply the best Tutorial I’ve ever seen. Period.

Slide show summary ; 1- Theme A theme is a clear identity of your tank that shows the viewers exactly what you are trying to emulate. Why it is important to have a Theme? Because it is easier for the viewers to appreciate and understand Threat the viewers or contest judges as "normal" people! You may not have any chance to explain to the viewers Make sure your "theme" is easily understandable How to create a good layout with a theme? to create a theme, think "Lego"! İt is hard to create something "nice" with a few pieces of lego 2- Depth Why is "Depth" so important? - it makes the layout BIG - it helps to create WOW effect - it is easy to IMPRESS viewer with good depth To create depth, you will need : - End point - High background - use something big in front, something small in back. - Perspective 3- Focal Point Why is "Focal Point" so important - it helps to catch viewer's attention - it helps to guide viewer's eyes Forcal Points - Something big and special - Something very bright or very dark - End point - Alway the focal point put on golden ratio Can a good aquascape without a clear focal point? Yes but, very unique example. 4- Layers Why is "Layers" so important? - Layers helps to improve : - depth - Richness in content - 3D effect To create Layers: - Never arrange everything in straight line : 1-Dimensional - Make use different heights, sizes, colors, matreials(hardscape,sand,plants) not make a one dimensional, make a 3d dimensional 5- Shadow Why is "Shadow" so important Shadow can create the feeling of: - Moody - Mystreious - Power - Fear - Melancholy To create shadows: - Object that block light How much shado is required to create a top notch layout? 30%-60% When you create shadows, don't make it pitch dark!!! Show a little bit of details!!! ghghjghjghjghjhgj Shadow doesn't mean darkness Good shadows and Good brightness compliment each other!! 6- Space - Make use of every inch of your tank - Make good use of reflection - if possible - Give the audiences as many things to look at as possible - within a given space There is a catch though.... Nobody enjoy a congested/suffocating layout How do we fill up tank without creating a congested feeling? - Perspective - Layers - Shadow Congested and flat : III III Spacios and deep : Iı ıI 7- Integration we want our scape to look like "one scene" and yet we want the viewers to be able to see different part of the scene! A scape is messed up in term of "integration" if: -items exist independetly in the scape without connection (no integration) - items all mixed up and messy (too much integration) What is needed to be part of the integration? - wood and woods - wood and rocks - Everything How to create good integration? - Show passage of time - let the thank matured - Planting technique - mixture - Balance (hardscape, colors, plants) 8- Contrast What is contrast? - Big & small - Bright & Dark - Far & Near - High & Low - Thick & Thin - Fast & Slow - Heavy & Light - Dense & Loose (it means plants) etc Why is contrast important? Contrast creates: - Layers - Space - Focal Point - 3D Effect 9- Details - Every small little thing counts - Intentionally unintentional - Don't start from beginnig

Going back to this video after 3yrs. Recalling/reviewing all the techniques I forgot. Cause I'm joing IAPLC 2024 next year and preparing my contest tank. So inspiring ♥️

This guy is a true master. It's incredibly rare these days to get that much concise, experience-based honesty. Many, many thanks 🙏🏻

WOW! I can't believe I am seeing this for free...

I see the all positive comment, and they describe my feelings. All I wanted to say is that Green Aqua became a world factor in aquascaping from now. This was not a clip or video, this was a film remains in history of aquascaping. Congratulation.

Josh is a legend! I love how humble and helpful he is. Big shoutout to him and GreenAqua for putting this online.

I wonder how many persons in the audience have no clue just how much of a gift the world received from this presentation, that they got to witness first-hand. Just mind-blowing. Josh Sim -- You are a pioneer and true leader in this hobby. A thousand thanks!

This was an incredible masterclass! Can't believe we got all that for free! Lol Thank you for this. I'm actually amazed that these principles can also apply to terrarium-building! Made me realize I'm definitely I'm into the zen-style aquascapes, but I am a wild-type terrarium/paludarium builder.

as a malaysian, and someone who just started this hobby, i must say i'm proud that a fellow countryman has achieved at such a high level. ive never learnt so much from a youtube video, and as an avid photographer myself for the past 30 years, i understand how he has approached every single of the 9 levels to get his masterpieces! josh...nanti aku sampai pulau kukup, kita kena teh ok bro!!

Thank you so much for having Josh on, I feel he gave me a better understanding of aquascaping than anyone I've ever listened to or anything I've ever read, I'm just at home hobbyist and now I'm ready to be creative thanks green aqua and thank you mr. Sim

Couldn’t stop watching it! Not only is Josh Sim a masterful aquascaper, he’s also a masterful speaker and teacher. Much appreciated. 🙏

I totally agree with those, who said, that this is one of the most useful and informative aquascaping content on KZfaq.

I literally watched all videos related with hardscape and design.This one is the most beneficial/educational video i've ever seen on youtube about hardscape .Great work.

Watched this Video in 2019, started my first and only Contest Tank for IAPLC and placed Top 25%. Thank you so much for so many Informations !

This is not only the best tutourial on Green Aqua, it is the best on any European or US Aquasacping Channel! Thanks a lot for sharing this outstanding seminar with us! Green Aqua was the first channel I ever subcribed. In these two years I haven't regretted it... but wait a moment... after watching this, I see my tanks from a different perspectiv and I see all the mistakes and with tears in my eyes I ask myself how could I belive my tanks were sophisticated. 😢 At least I used shaddows an caves as an important element in my (infantil) creations 😉

Thanks for putting this out in full length for those who couldn't be at your workshops. You are the best!

One of the best vídeos about aquascaping that i've ever seen

This is one of if not the best content to do with scaping aquariums on the net. ❤️josh sim 🙏🇦🇺

I watched every single minute, and I never had an aquarium in my life. So much knowledge dropped in 100 minutes. Respect to Josh and the guys who organized this. 👏

I love that aquascaping is a hobby for him. It means that amateurs like me can aspire to reach master level. 💝👍🏼🔥

This is one of my favorite KZfaq videos. Got me into aquariums and aquascaping. After telling some friends someone had an old 10 g kit. Now have a 29 and 55 as well. Great hobby. Thanks.

My hour and a half wasnt wasted at all. I learned so much from Josh! So many things that i didnt know existed. Thank you Josh and thank you Balaz for sharing Josh to us. Thank you.

You are not known for creating crap vlogs, but this is the best content you have created by far. I was there at the lecture. You did not do injustice to Josh, and I really appreciate the little things you have added (I. e.: a map to show the place Josh came from). I firmly believe that along with the many breathtaking tanks you have created, the effort you had put into promoting and continue to do so "the wonderful world of aquascaping" (sorry Balázs, couldn't miss your signature line), this vlog is already a part of Green Aquas' legacy. That is how major this vlog is. No wonder that even Khalil Awadhi bothered to travel to this event all the way from Kuwait. Please consider organizing more lectures like this in the years to come. Finally, thank you Green Aqua for organizing and hosting a wonderful event. The memory will last as long as I am living.

I am extremely grateful for this channel and this video! As a beginner who is very passionate about this hobby I love to absorb as much knowledge as possible.

Ultimate guide to aquascaping. Ladies and gentlemen, we got him!

I never watch a video this long and every time I learn and pick something from him my heart feels overwhelmed and inspired. Thank you for sharing this video. So so mucj respect to this man. He is so good teacher.

From the deepest part of my brazilian heart: Thank's, Green Aqua! For every vídeo you guys have relesead so far. ❤

This is the best aquascaping tutorial ever. Josh, I think you are a good teacher. This is the very first seminar that actually addresses specific aspects that make a contest tank stand out. Love it! I will be def. using these tips for my 60P next time.

10:24 First Tank 11:24 Champ Tanks, 2017 11:34 Award winning, Dream on, 2019 14:30 Zen & Wild, the two extremes of styles 28:17 Resource limitation can limit your theme and outcome 32:00 Make your own driftwood shape 35:24 Perspective 39:42 Focal point 52:32 Shadow is not darkness 1:04:53 Fill up the empty spaces without making it crowded 1:09:50 Scapes should have visible unique parts that are connected 1:17:40 Don't plant separately

I rarely to give a comment to a video on youtube, but if there is a way to say thanks to josh sim and green aqua so.. let this comment as a gift, u both awesome thanks once again..

If there is only one video you can watch on aquascaping this is it. it is all encompassing, thanks for uploading it.

Thank you Green Aqua for sharing this. Proud & congrats to Josh... Bring Malaysia and Kukup to another level.

This is the most interesting lesson in my life! I"ve never heard about Josh Sim, he is talanted! And the most rare talant - is to explaine difficult things so simply, so interesting! Thanks a lot, Green Aqua!!! for meeting us with this great person. Now I love your team more )) bsd video is great, thnks to operator and to all, who helped. I realy happy to be your youtube-friend.

Josh SIM so humble person, thats why he be a champions 🙏🇮🇩

Just awesome!!! I've never regretted registering in your channel .. I love you Green Aqua team for this amusing and useful vedios you offer us all the time .. for me , this was the most important video even there is no aquascaping on it , but that amount of information that I got is just priceless !! Really thanks for being there for us guys so that we keep on learning and satisfying our desire of this beautiful world of aquascaping 😉 keep going

This was Incredible! Thank you so much for all the great tips Josh Sim and the Green Aqua Team :)

Josh is so incredibly honest and humble, what a great upload. thanks again.

Just keep coming back to this video for a quick revision lesson 😍😍

It's years later but since I'm now in the hobby, Thank you Josh for sharing so clearly and simply, your humbleness is beautiful and your teaching is one of the very best I've come across, God bless you as share what talent you have been blessed with.

Like you said - best tutorial I've ever seen! Sympathic guy and you can feel his passion just by listen to him, while he is talking about aquascaping! Thx Green Aqua for this inspirating video!

I love this man, this teaching, and his work!! Thank you Green Aqua! ❤️

Hes a good teacher ... someone whos good at something and who can teach is rare.

Brilliant thoughts from Josh. This is the video I’ve wanted since I began the hobby. I’ve managed to come close to some of these conclusions after a year, but his explanations are so precise and as such very useful.

as a complete newb I found this amazing! I loved how he put it all together. i'll prob. re watch it when I get to my scap. thanks green aqua team for posting this.

This is hands down one of the best way informational videos I have ever seen!

... And the Green Aqua team is the aquascaping youtube master without any doubt!

Not only an amazing aquascaper but also a wonderful teacher Mr. Sim. Ended up watching the whole video when i was about to sleep. Thank You Green Aqua and Master Josh! 🙏

Love from malaysia , johor ❤️❤️

Just started watching and I can see that nothing is gonna drag me away from this

Thanks green aqua. Without you we wouldn't know this legend.

Thank for sharing Josh Sim and thank you Green Aqua. Love all of you so much. ( Fan of Green Aqua from Vietnam )

This was the most amazing/informative aquascaping lecture ever! Thank you!!!

Thank you Green Aqua for this privileged moment

There is no way we can thank you all for this amazing event and the sharing of the video. Cheers!

This is the best layout tutorial on KZfaq.

Amazing duration. This paid after last week there was no new content. It's time to sit sweetly in front of the computer with green tea

I am very thankful that I found this video. I've learned a lot! This made my imagination broader than before. I am ready to apply everything on my next project.

This is such an awesome clip. The information that Josh Sim share is so wise, and can be used in all kind of arts. You basically just stuffed money in my pocket!!! Thank you very much!!!

I dunno how many times i have watched this.. but every time i watch it.. it inspires me to do more on my tanks.

It's just great that this is up for everyone to see and learn from, thanks so much for uploading!

The Best technical tutorial on this fascinating hobby/art form. Bravo Josh Sim, Bravo Green Aqua. Thank you very much!

I've just started to plan my 45x45x30 square base tank, this video just changed the entire planning game for me. Thanks guys! See you when I pickup my good for the tank :)

I’ve watched many hundreds of aquascaping videos and learnt a lot, particularly on the technical aspects of the hobby. But other than the rule of thirds, or occasionally the Golden Ratio getting the odd mention, I’ve never seen another video going into the aesthetic techniques, rules and creative side until I watched this one. By far the most informative, fascinating and educational tutorial I’ve ever come across on how to create a beautiful aquascape. It’s like the contents of the most expensive and well written book on the subject, put into easily digestible video format, dry well presented and communicated by a master, and given away for free. What an incredible guy, happy to share his hard-won knowledge and the benefit of his experience for our gain. Just brilliant.

One hour 39 minutes of beautiful time of aquascaping....😄😄😄😄

So much to learn here. This is a masterclass. Thank you!

Those who have attended this Master Class before the pandemic are very lucky. I bet they have utilized what they learned here to cope with the lockdowns and Pandemic isolation. I love it that this is free. THANK YOU!!!

I came for this video to share with someone new to the hobby, and a year later I agree with you: This is still the best tutorial for new aquascapers to watch, and it is the most logical tutorial for artists who have experience in other media, and want to explore creating artistic renditions of nature inside the cube of a tank.

Just watched this again and learnt so much again. Such a great presentation 🌿

This was a special treat thank you so much for sharing; I learned more today than months of videos.

Josh is the best! I am Cleber Sá, owner of the bigest brazilian aquascape chanel! Um grande abraço para geral!

Definitely best one yet. Between yourself, Jurijs, and George you have inspired me to see the world outside of my own lens and to think about nature and its place in my own life. You have a life long supporter! Thank you with everything!

this content OMG...priceless-love from Malaysia aquascape newbie😍😍

Thank you very mutch for this Eyeopenig Seminar, it's the best I ever seen in 14 Jears of Aquascaping, wow 🙌

Took me a few sittings, but i have watched this all the way through. Been taking mental notes, interesting to hear the little tricks involved preparing for a photo, for example fishing line to hold up the large piece of wood. What a great guy Josh is to enlighten us all with a bit of his thought process. He could probably write a book someday :). Thank you green aqua for inviting him and sharing it with us. Peace :)

Should i say, The most informative & advanced Aquascaping video ever done in Yt history. Thanks for bring it up for free & keep impressive content like this up. Thank you very much Green Aqua. Regards from 🇮🇩

Thank you so much for this! I have learned a lot and inspired me even more! This is by far the best, if not, THE best aquascaping tutorial you can find here on youtube or perhaps the whole internet! 😍

This was the best video so far.. Really inspired me to go for a big tank

Josh ur are hobby in aquascape is mind-blowing. I student after seeing ur workshop my prospective of this art changed. I thank Green Aqua.

Whow! Josh Sim said at the beginning, he wil not teach, but this is the best video of explaining the principles of the art of aquascaping I've seen so far. I learned so much and for later views I put the video to my favorite list. 👍

thank you for everything you do for aquascaping I wish this channel was around when I first started hahaha Brilliant video.

ONE OF THE BEST aquascape VDO

Lengthy video and this is truly a next level tutorial! Thanks again Green Aqua for this amazing series of Josh Sim! Much appreciated!

the best master class of all greenaqua master class. hope i see more of josh sim again.

Couldnt stop watching til the end, you are such an angel to share this with us! Big big thank you very much from the bottom of my heart!

What a great guy, humble and honest. Thank you for sharing this absolutely enlightening seminar.

I'm lucky to find this and can't believe seeing this for free.thank ya

Superb video! Learned so much! Looking forward to meet him in person soon! Thnx Balaz and all from @Greenaqua ! You guys are awesome!

i whas like great i can watch this during my lunch break then to see its a long video haha oh man i cant wait to get home and watch it

I have watched it more than 5 times and still learning new stuffs from this master

That class has made me fall in love with the beautiful world of Aquascaping... Thanks a lot, Green Acqua and Master Josh Sim!

Incredible lesson, really the definition of a 'Masterclass'!

I became an expert aquascaper overnight even though i do not plan to get into this hobby

This is honestly the most in depth and helpful aquascaping tutorial I've ever seen. Thank you.

This video can go down as the greatest tutorial on aqua scaping.

🙏Wow, very good, made quite an impression, shout out to everyone involved...🗣️ 8^}

when you do something simple your weaknesses shows.

Josh is so brilliant. And I'm not just talking about his aquascapes. He has a knack for understanding and explanations. He makes sense.

Thank you so much Josh and Green Aqua. Definitely one of the best videos on KZfaq. I learned so much, and am sure I will rewatch this many times over to absorb all the information

In french, "tank" is not "char" but "réservoir" Tank or char in french, it means "assault tank" ^^