MatPat

I made it to the Winton Wood area just fine but I ended up turning into the Golf Course area and driving all the way through the park! I made it to the gate on the east side of the park, with the water. The gate attendant had no idea of any fish club meeting so I was totally lost. I gave up looking at 8:30 in the evening and headed home. If I would've taken my directions with me I think I could've found it. Might've had a few too many beers the night before to help complicate matters

You're more familiar with the area than I am I think Jack Wagner may have mentioned Perkins or Denny's or something similar in the past. Even an LFS in the area could be a good spot to meet. Anywhere is a possibility for me as long as we can get a little notice to the establishment.

Like Rob (Rwoehr) says, we still have plenty of time, I just wanted to spark some thoughts on this idea so maybe we could discuss it at the upcoming meeting. And yes, the lone Rasbora can wait another month

Troy McClure

My cousin (read: "cousin's husband") owns Monfort Aquarium and Pets on Colrain Ave. That's kinda far from 275 though... AquariumAdventure near Fields Ertel would be really nice since that's such a huge place, but that's even further from the GCAS meeting place.

MatPat

Any chance they would want to set up a high tech planted tank in the store???? That could make a nice "how-to" meeting topic for a future meeting even if it is a bit of a drive from the GCAS meeting site Nothing brings in plant business like a nicely planted tank. They could be the first area LFS to actually have a planted tank instead of a tank with plants in it. I could donate some plants to the effort if they are willing! I don't have a lot of skills in Aquascaping but with 10 or so folks helping out, it could be quite the tank.

I know Exotics and Aquatics (I think that is the name) is very close to Jack's house and Jack is 5 minutes or so from the meeting site. I think Jack knows the owner pretty well also. Maybe for some future meetings we could arrange a trip there also...

You got the gears turning with your post

molurus73

Aquarium Adventure. Bah. They are extremely overpriced and full of themselves. I went out there when they first opened and for the first few months, but rarely go back. I have found that the only thing they are decent on is the malaysian driftwood. Most of the people you talk to are like any other petstore kid. They all have a different opinion and theirs is the only way to do it. Sorry, had to rant.

Matt, we can hook up and carpool if you want. You would drive right past my exit anyway on your way there.

Jim

Troy McClure

I went to A&E a long time ago plant hunting...what a disappointment.

As for my cousin's shop, having a high light plant tank would be great, but I highly doubt they would do it even if I offered to set it up.

MatPat

That has been my experience with every LFS I have been in around here. AA has some plants but nothing to write home about. I think I was ruined by Aquarium Center near Baltimore. They had more plant tanks than most of the fish stores around here have fish tanks! They even had Tonina belem when I visited there in early June!

It might be worth asking...I never thought a plant club in this area was going to materialize

Troy McClure

Neither did I. Maybe at the next family get together I'll run it by him. Planted tanks are quickly becoming more popular, but I don't think the market is at a point where they feel it would be profitable to have such a tank. Most of they plants they are have the low-medium light, hardy beginner plants.

MatPat

They may be right but a nicely set up tank does it's own advertising I think a lot of stores are a bit intimidated with the plant side of the hobby because it is all new to them. That and the fact that most plant distributors send terrestrial plants to them (thinking along the lines of PetSmart) to put into their tanks.

What better way to advertise their plants than with a nice display tank? I have a 55g that is set up with Anubias, Java Ferns, B. japonica and C. helferi with a few simple fast growers (L. madagascarensis, H. difformis, H. micranthemoides) thrown in until the tank settles. Most of my friends and relatives (non plant people) think it is my nicest tank

I'm not trying to push the idea with you but rather to give you a little ammo if your cousin starts to consider the idea.

molurus73

Whoops. I will be at the plant meeting on Sat but I completely forgot about Sun. I won't be able to make the GCAS meeting. It is my anniversary on Mon and we are going to the Motley Crue concert and hotel afterwards Sun night. That sucks cuz I wanted to see Ingo Seidel talk about cats. Oh well.

Jack W

Actually Monfort Aquarium on Colerain was the first place I saw a planted tank with pressurized CO2. Of course this was about 10 years ago. My point is that they may be willing to do it again with some outside help. Also, Jason at Aquatics does have a planted tank with Co2 in it, he just does not always have it running. He gave me a CO2 Atomizer from Japan last week that works pretty well in my 55. I think he would be OK with some outside help in his Planted tank, but I am not sure. He also has a back room that I could ask about using if you are interested.

Jack