New Video Released -From Idea to World Ranking | The Making of a Contest Aquascape

[Jeff Miotke]

The KIAC results were released today, and I can finally share the full story behind my contest aquascape.

For the first time, I captured everything — from the first sketch… to the final photo… to the moment it received its world ranking.

It wasn’t an easy journey — four trips, an algae outbreak, and more than a few moments of doubt. But through it all, this layout became something more than just a contest entry. It became a story of renewal.

The aquascape is titled “Where the River Restores,” and fittingly, it restored more than I ever expected. Many thanks to the folks here in this forum! Especially our own @Naturescapes_Rocco who after years of my struggling fixed the crux of my issues.

I hope you enjoy this film!

 

[techman81]

I've been wondering when that next video was dropping. Now we know why it took awhile.

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

Beautiful tank, great video! Congrats Jeff

 

[Unexpected]

Congratulations. It's amazing how this hobby tests you when you reach a certain level. Well done and glad you kept at it by going right back to basics. There's no secret formula, just basics and steady.

 

[TRyan]

What an amazing video! I really enjoyed watching the whole process. Congratulations on your beautiful tank!

 

[VJM]

Incredible video diary that has to speak to everyone who has struggled and is frustrated (and that is all of us). Thank you so much for sharing your process. It’s an incredible tank and knowing the backstory makes it even more special. You always seem to me to avoid the more obvious cliches and trends, and your tanks resonate so deeply as a result. Congratulations!

 

[techman81]

My comments after watching the entire video:

1. As always, your videos are great, I love your relaxed pace and tone and the editing is perfect.

2. It's awesome to see a highly ranked tank without all the gimmicks and tricks, just wood, rock, substrate, and plants. Nothing against the scapers like Steven Chong, but I really prefer aquascapes without the duct tape, foam, metal, and mirrors.

3. Glad to see I'm not the only one who has a hard time making up his mind. How many times did you change the front layout?

4. The short time you went from planting tissue culture, going through an algae breakout, and recovering, to then still placing highly, is really impressive.

5. Love your hardscape organization. I've now built up a pretty good collection of stone and wood for the empty tanks I have lined up. I need to better organize mine.

One question. I know you are sponsored by Oase, but I think I saw that you were also sponsored by Tropica. So does Tropica provide you with plants directly or did you get your box through a distributor. I would love to get TC plants directly from Tropica.

 

[Kwyet]

The video is so Zen, and the story is downright inspirational! I just loved it!

 

[Phish Tank]

Great video, great scape! I agree with @techman81, I love that your hardscape is real, and the tank leans into long term maintainability.

I learn so much from your videos, especially when you narrate parts of them. I think I learned the most from your 2 part aquascaping tutorial on aquamanknox YouTube channel. I actually watched it twice!