Checklist: Judge Interview Setup Done Right

If you’re organizing an aquascaping contest or event, interviewing judges is a critical step in ensuring fair and insightful evaluations. The right interview setup not only attracts top-tier aquascaping experts but also provides a transparent and credible experience for participants and the community. In this guide, we present a comprehensive checklist to help you set up your judge interviews with professionalism—saving you time and making a great impression every time.

Why a Judge Interview Matters in Aquascaping Contests

Whether it’s for national aquascaping competitions or community-based aquarium challenges, the quality of your judge panel directly affects the credibility of your event. A well-executed interview process ensures your judges have:

A deep understanding of aquascaping styles and techniques
Experience with aquarium design and maintenance
Fair, unbiased judging standards
Clear communication skills

For more on aquascaping contest standards, check out our aquascaping competition guidelines.

Judge Interview Setup Checklist

Ready to conduct your judge interview for your next aquascaping event? Use this practical checklist to cover all the essentials:

1. Define Judge Criteria

Expertise in aquascaping design and aquarium care
Proven experience in judging or participating in contests
Understanding of various aquascaping styles (Iwagumi, Dutch, Nature Style, etc.)
Commitment to ethical judging and unbiased opinions

2. Prepare Interview Questions

What is your experience with competitive aquascaping?
Describe your preferred aquascaping style and why.
How do you ensure unbiased judging in a contest?
Are you familiar with the most important aquarium contest rules?

For inspiration, see our Top Aquascaping Judging Criteria.

3. Set Up Your Interview Platform

Choose a reliable video conferencing tool (Zoom, Google Meet, etc.)
Test the audio/video quality beforehand
Send calendar invites with the correct time zone for international judges
Provide backup contact method in case of connection issues

Tip: A stable setup ensures both parties can discuss aquascaping details without distraction.

4. Gather Judge Portfolios

Ask for photos or documentation of previous aquascapes
Request any judging reports or references from past events

For guidance on professional aquascape documentation, visit our How to Photograph Aquascapes Guide.

5. Pre-Interview Communication

Send background on the contest format and judging standards
Share the interview agenda and approximate duration
Clarify compensation, if applicable

6. Conduct the Interview

Begin with introductions and background sharing
Discuss their experience and approach to evaluating aquascapes
Review important aquarium and contest rules together
Allow time for the judge to ask questions

7. Post-Interview Follow-up

Send a thank you email promptly
Clarify next steps and decision timeline
Provide feedback, if requested

Bonus Tips for Aquascaping Judge Interviews

Record interviews (with permission) for future reference
Use standardized scoring rubrics during the process
Consider diversity in your judge panel, including various aquascaping backgrounds
Document all communications for transparency

Building a Transparent and Expert Judge Panel

A rigorous judge selection process not only enhances your event’s reputation but also helps educate participants and elevate the art of aquascaping itself. For more resources on event organization and aquascaping expertise, browse our:

Conclusion: Get Your Judge Interview Setup Right Every Time

With this checklist, you’re ready to set up your judge interviews for aquascaping contests the right way. A well-prepared interview process means confident, expert judges—and a truly rewarding competition for everyone involved.

Ready to take your aquascaping event to the next level?

Download our free printable Judge Interview Checklist and ensure every detail is covered for your next competition!