
If you want to enter one of the most prestigious and lucrative live aquascaping contests at the best aquarium festival in North America, you’ve come to the right place! Selected contestants have 12 hours over two days to create a masterpiece alongside other top scapers. Oh, and there’s cash prizes! Sound good?
Application for this contest is open to all! But the field of aquascapers will be selected by Aquashella event organizers. And it is a LIVE contest, so you must be present to participate. Make sure you fill out the form completely and we’ll be in touch. Applications will no longer be accepted 30 days prior to the event or when the field is filled.

It’s important that aquascapers can be present for as much of the contest as possible. Here is a basic schedule of the event. Scaping has been scheduled during show hours to allow attendees to watch the process, and interact with aquascapers as you are assembling your entry. Upon selection additional details will be provided.
Friday
1:30 pm — Kick-off meeting with contestants and judges
2:00-6:00 pm — Aquascaping session
6:00-7:00 pm — Clean up area
Saturday
9:00-5:00 pm — Aquascaping session
5:00-6:00 pm — Clean up area
6:00 pm — Judging begins
Sunday
9:00 am — Water changes and tank touch-ups for the showcase day
10:30 am — Awards announced
3:00 pm — People’s Choice Award announced
Contestants are responsible for their own travel expenses.
Grand Champion — $1000
Second Place — $500
Third Place — $250
Fourth and Fifth Place — On-stage recognition and high fives
Plus awards will be given at the award ceremony for exemplary work in these categories:
Q: What happens to the finished aquascapes?
All final scapes and equipment are property of Aquashella and will be available for purchase via silent auction.
Q: Do I have to pay to get into the event?
Each contestant (including team members) will receive a full conference badge for admission to the exhibit hall floor.
Q: What is provided?
Everything you need to make a beautiful aquascape! The following is provided:

Time | Festival Floor | Speaker Stage | Feature Stage |
10:00am | VIP Entry | VIP Meet & Greet w/Creators @ 10:30! | |
11:00am | 11 am Entry | Live DJ! | |
12:00pm | 12 pm Entry | Live DJ! | |
1:00pm | 1 pm Entry | Open Mic - Tank Roast! | |
2:00pm | 2 pm Entry | Live DJ! | |
3:00pm | 3 pm or later Entry | Saltwater Jeopardy Live! | |
4:00pm | Live DJ! | ||
5:00pm | Charity Raffle after 5pm presentation wraps | ||
6:00pm | Festival Close |
Time | Festival Floor | Speaker Stage | Feature Stage |
10:00am | VIP Entry | Live DJ! | |
11:00am | 11 am Entry | Aquashella Aquascaping Contest Awards | VIP Meet & Greet w/Creators @ 10:15am |
12:00pm | 12 pm Entry | Live DJ! | |
1:00pm | 1 pm Entry | Freshwater Jeopardy Live! | |
2:00pm | 2 pm and later Entry | Live DJ! | |
3:00pm | Live DJ! | ||
4:00pm | Charity Raffle | ||
5:00pm | Festival Close |
Time | Festival Floor | Speaker Stage | Feature Stage |
10:00am | VIP Entry | VIP Meet & Greet w/Creators @10:30am | |
11:00am | 11am Entry | Live DJ! | |
12:00pm | 12 pm Entry | Live DJ! | |
1:00pm | 1 pm Entry | YouTuber Panel | |
2:00pm | 2 pm Entry | Live DJ! | |
3:00pm | 3 pm and later Entry | Scape Off! | |
4:00pm | Live DJ! | ||
5:00pm | Charity Raffle | ||
6:00pm | Festival Close |
Time | Festival Floor | Speaker Stage | Feature Stage |
10:00am | VIP Entry | VIP Meet & Greet w/Creators @ 10:15am | |
11:00am | 11 am Entry | Aquashella Aquascaping Contest Awards | Live DJ! |
12:00pm | 12 pm Entry | Freshwater Jeopardy Live! | |
1:00pm | 1 pm Entry | Open Mic - Tank Roasts! | |
2:00pm | 2 pm and later Entry | Freshwater Scape-Off! | |
3:00pm | Live DJ! | ||
4:00pm | Charity Raffle | ||
5:00pm | Festival Close |
Time | Festival Floor | Speaker Stage | Feature Stage |
10:00am | VIP Entry | VIP Meet & Greet w/Creators @ 10:30am | |
11:00am | 11 am Entry | Live DJ! | |
12:00pm | 12 pm Entry | Live DJ! | |
1:00pm | 1 pm Entry | Open Mic - Tank Roast! | |
2:00pm | 2 pm Entry | Live DJ! | |
3:00pm | 3 pm or later Entry | Saltwater Jeopary Live! | |
4:00pm | Live DJ! | ||
5:00pm | Charity Raffle | ||
6:00pm | Festival Close |
Time | Festival Floor | Speaker Stage | Feature Stage |
10:00am | VIP Entry | VIP Meet & Greet w/Creators @ 10:15am | |
11:00am | 11 am Entry | Aquashella Aquascaping Contest Awards | Live DJ! |
12:00pm | 12 pm Entry | Freshwater Jeopardy Live! | |
1:00pm | 1 pm Entry | Open Mic - Tank Roasts! | |
2:00pm | 2 pm and later Entry | Freshwater Scape-Off! | |
3:00pm | Live DJ! | ||
4:00pm | Charity Raffle | ||
5:00pm | Festival Close |
Time | Festival Floor | Speaker Stage | Feature Stage |
10:00am | VIP Entry | VIP Meet & Greet w/Creators @ 10:30! | |
11:00am | 11 am Entry | Aquarium Biology with Taras Pleskun, Top Shelf Aquatics | Traveling with Your Micro Reef with TheRoamingReef and PNW Custom |
12:00pm | 12 pm Entry | Aquarium Designs - Jeff Turner, Reef Aquaria Design | Live DJ! |
1:00pm | 1 pm Entry | No Filter Aquariums and Natural Setups with Lucas Bretz, LRB Aquatics | Open Mic - Tank Roast! |
2:00pm | 2 pm Entry | Reptile Breeding, Husbandry and More with TikisGeckos | Live DJ! |
3:00pm | 3 pm or later Entry | Getting through the first 30 days without losing your mind with Dr. Tim, Dr. Tim's Aquatics | Saltwater Jeopardy Live! |
4:00pm | Lighting Techniques to Better Your Husbandry in Planted Tanks, Terrariums, Reptile Enclosures and More! with Tulio Dellaquilla, ReefBrite | Live DJ! | |
5:00pm | Charity Raffle after 5pm presentation wraps | ||
6:00pm | Festival Close |
Time | Festival Floor | Speaker Stage | Feature Stage |
10:00am | VIP Entry | VIP Meet & Greet w/Creators @ 10:15am | |
11:00am | 11 am Entry | Aquashella Aquascaping Contest Awards | Getting Started with Your Saltwater Aquarium with George Mavrakis, CoralFish12G @ 11:30 |
12:00pm | 12 pm Entry | From Farm to Family Room: A Fish's Journey with David Drake at 5D Tropical | Live DJ! |
1:00pm | 1 pm Entry | Sustainability in Aquaculture and Mariculture with Jake Phillips at Biota NA | Freshwater Jeopardy Live! |
2:00pm | 2 pm and later Entry | Discus Breeding and Husbandry with Gabe Posada, Jack Wattley Discus | Coral Farming and Coral ID with Chris Meckley, ACI Aquaculture |
3:00pm | Giant Clams: Fragging isn't an option, but they still deserve your love with Julian Sprung, TwoLittleFishies | Live DJ! | |
4:00pm | Charity Raffle | ||
5:00pm | Festival Close |