Rules

CBAP 2026 REGULATIONS – 23rd Edition

CBAP is a free aquascaping contest open to the public and enthusiasts, where the various technical and artistic aspects of submitted aquariums are evaluated based on photographs.

Entries must be submitted via this channel between July 1, 2026, and July 31, 2026. EXTENDED TO AUGUST 16, 2026.

To participate in this edition, the following requirements must be met:

1 – REGISTRATION

Registration must be completed using the specific form on the CBAP website.
Entries submitted via email or any other means will not be accepted.
Registration is free.
The 3 planted-style categories are open only to Brazilians or foreigners residing in Brazil for more than 2 years.
Each participant may submit only one aquarium of their own creation and ownership per category, totaling three aquariums per registered participant (i.e., 1 aquarium in each category of the planted division).
Non-Brazilians are permitted to enter only one aquarium in the “Foreigners” category, regardless of the aquarium’s volume. Participation in this category is prohibited for Brazilian aquascapers.
The accuracy of all information provided is essential and is the sole responsibility of the entrants; failure to comply with this requirement may result in the participant’s immediate disqualification.
The registration period for the 2026 edition begins on July 1, 2026, and ends on July 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM, official Brasília time (GMT-3). EXTENDED TO AUGUST 16, 2026.
Entries submitted after 11:59 PM on July 31, 2026, will not be accepted. POSTPONED TO AUGUST 16, 2026

2 – IMAGES – DIGITAL PHOTOS

2.1 – PHOTO REQUIREMENTS

The entry must fully comply with the following requirements regarding digital photos:

A front-facing photo is mandatory, showing only the aquarium itself, without equipment or the surrounding environment.
Supplementary photos are at the entrant’s discretion; up to two extra photos are accepted.
The digital file size must not exceed 5MB per photo.
Proper framing and the cropping out of objects external to the aquarium—to ensure the best presentation for the judges—are the participant’s responsibility.
Photos must be submitted without names, signatures, or any marks identifying the author or origin; failure to comply will result in disqualification.
A black border around the subject of the photo is permitted to mask other objects in the frame.
Low-resolution photos that hinder the judging process may result in automatic disqualification, as the photo is the sole basis for evaluation.
Image editing effects are permitted, provided they do not alter the true nature of the photo. Adjustments to focus, brightness, saturation, and color levels are acceptable if used in moderation.
Any photo showing manipulation that substantially alters image quality—such as adding or removing elements of the subject—or that is used to gain an unfair advantage or distort the judges’ assessment, will be summarily disqualified. At the organization’s discretion, the creator of such an entry may be banned indefinitely or permanently. 2.2 – VERIFICATION OF ENTRY

Should questions arise regarding the content of entries submitted to the Judging Panel, the Contest Organization stipulates the following:

In cases involving image editing, verification must be provided via additional images of the participant’s aquarium—showing either the full tank or specific details—that clearly display the disputed area and attest to the authenticity of the submitted photos. It is recommended that the author retain the .raw file in case verification is required.
The Contest Organization reserves the right to accept or reject the verification evidence, and its decision is final.
In cases involving ownership of the aquascape, verification must be provided via images or documents attesting to the entrant’s ownership or execution of the layout. The Contest Organization reserves the right to accept or reject the verification evidence, and its decision is final.
Failure to provide verification evidence, or a rejection of such evidence by the Contest Organization, will result in the immediate disqualification of the aquarium; further measures against the participant will be discussed and implemented subsequently.

3 – ENTRY DATA

Regarding aquarium details:

The online entry form must be completed with all—or as much as possible—information concerning the aquarium depicted in the photos.
Incomplete or inaccurate information on the entry form may result in the participant’s automatic disqualification.

4 – USAGE RIGHTS

By submitting material to the Brazilian Aquascaping Contest, the participant automatically authorizes the Contest Organization to use said material—whether photos, text, or any other information.

other data transmission media or any other method that may come into existence, without any cost or obligation.

5 – CATEGORIES

This edition of the contest features four categories:

Planted (up to 65 liters) – Planted aquariums with a gross volume of up to 60 liters, set up by Brazilian aquascapers or foreign aquascapers residing in Brazil for more than 2 years.
Planted (65.01 to 200 liters) – Planted aquariums with a gross volume exceeding 60 liters up to a limit of 200 liters, set up by Brazilian aquascapers or foreign aquascapers residing in Brazil for more than 2 years.
Planted (above 200.01 liters) – Planted aquariums with a gross volume exceeding 200 liters, set up by Brazilian aquascapers or foreign aquascapers residing in Brazil for more than 2 years.
Foreigners – Planted aquariums with no volume restrictions, set up by foreign aquascapers of any nationality.
6 – JUDGING AND AWARDS

6.1 – AWARD FORMAT

The CBAP judging process takes place in a single phase.
When results are announced, the general ranking will be made available, covering all aquariums entered in each category for the current edition.
The top three aquascapers in each category (except the Foreigners category) will receive a trophy/ribbon and product prizes provided by sponsors.
Prizes will be presented in person to participants or legal representatives present during the EBA, or at another location and date stipulated by the organizers.
Any costs associated with the subsequent delivery of prizes to those not present are the sole responsibility of the winners; the event organizers bear no responsibility for such delivery.
In the Foreigners category, only the category winner will receive an award (a trophy/ribbon). 6.2 – JUDGING PANEL

The announcement of the judging panel is the responsibility of the CBAP Organization, which may decide to reveal the names either before or after the registration period ends.
Judges will have the period from August 17, 2026, to September 31, 2026, to evaluate all entries.

6.3 – EVALUATION CRITERIA

The following criteria have been established for evaluating submitted entries:

Artistic / Aesthetic Criterion – TOTAL 30 POINTS

Originality and general impression – Overall appearance and initial visual impact of the layout. Originality, novelty, aesthetic strength, and representation of Nature in the arrangement and presentation of layout elements—including fauna, flora, and hardscape—as well as the difficulty of executing the layout.
Artistic / Aesthetic Criterion. (1 to 30 points).
TECHNICAL CRITERIA – TOTAL 70 POINTS

Plant selection and positioning – 20 points – Suitability of the flora used in the layout, positioning, plant clusters, pruning technique, color/shadow/light contrasts in the composition, textures, shapes, etc.
Technical Evaluation Criterion – Flora. (1 to 20 points).
Fauna selection and positioning – Suitability of the fauna for the layout, positioning, harmony between species, technical composition, coloration, size, proportion, and health.
Technical Evaluation Criterion – Fauna. (1 to 20 points).
General condition of the layout – Water quality and appearance, cleanliness, presence of algae, and the cleanliness and maintenance of the aquarium as a whole.
Technical Evaluation Criterion – General. (1 to 20 points).
Photo quality – 10 points – Overall photo quality, framing, sharpness, focus, exposure, contrast, brightness, tone, etc., regarding the photograph itself.
Technical Evaluation Criterion – Photo – General. (1 to 10 points). *Each aquarium may receive a maximum of 100 points.

6.4 – ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS

The results will be announced on the website www.cbap.com.br on November 29, 2026 – Date subject to change.

7 – IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

Do not wait until the final week to register; technical issues may arise due to a high volume of entries, and the contest organizers will not provide any form of reimbursement or compensation if the registration is not successfully completed.
The contest organizers reserve the right not to disclose further details regarding the judging process.
Since the photos provided at the time of registration serve as the sole means of visual verification and evaluation, it is essential that the photos be of sufficient quality for assessment (see item #2).
Low-quality, blurry, or smudged photos, as well as those showing signs of excessive digital editing or other characteristics that hinder evaluation by the judging panel, will invariably disadvantage or even lead to the disqualification of the entry. Before submitting any information, verify the authenticity of the material, as it will be reviewed by the contest’s judging panel.
The contest organizers may, at any time, request proof of aquarium ownership from the entrant, such as specific photos, the submission of physical materials via mail, etc. If ownership cannot be confirmed, or if the use

of photos belonging to others, the aquarium will be automatically disqualified, and its position will be taken by the next entry in the rankings. Persistent disregard for the contest rules may result in the disqualification of the participant and all their registered aquariums.
Shipping costs and the method of receiving prizes, trophies, or ribbons are the responsibility of the prize winner. Winners may collect their awards in person at a location designated by the Contest Organization at no cost, or they must cover the shipping expenses.
Entries featuring old work and/or evolutions of previous layouts may incur a reduction in points during evaluation, at the discretion of the individual judges and the event organizers.
Aquariums that have previously placed between 1st and 10th in any category are ineligible to participate in future contests.
8 – FINAL NOTES

IMPORTANT: The Contest Organization reserves the right to modify the rules and any provisions of these regulations—including dates and locations—at any time without prior notice.
Questions and suggestions should be directed to the Organizing Committee via the contact form.

We hope everyone is in good health; we thank you all for participating and wish the contestants the best of luck.

Sincerely,

CBAP 2026 Organizing Committee
Brazilian Aquascaping Contest