AquaNews

A Minnesota Aquarium Society Publication JULY/AUGUST 2006

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 AquaContents
3 President’s Message | Jen Kruckenberg
4 Membership News | Bob Carter
5 Darter Collecting ‘06 | Randy Carey
7 Cichlid Matters | Bob Randall
10 Fishroom Tour: Mike Fries | Dani Ellickson
13 How to Get Kids Interested in Fishkeeping
(or how to sneak more tanks into the house)
| Mike Harris
14 Planted Aquarium Substrates | Matt Proost
18 Aquarium Society Rules of Acquisition | Dale Skiba
19 Newsletter Exchange Report | Brentt Helland
21 Bowl Show Report | Bob Randall
22 Bowl Show 2006-07 | Tiffany Severson
23 BAP Report | Chris Smith and Randy Carey
26 HAP Report | Milo Squires and Dave Behler

Where oh where to begin? How
about I start by saying hello! Anchor
has passed his position as Aqua News
editor along to me. I thank Anchor for
putting in years of hard work and time
to put together the Aqua News for our
enjoyment and education. I can only
hope I can live up to his reputation
and do as great of a job as he did!
As I take on my position as the new
editor and webmaster, I have some
ideas that I plan on testing and put-
ting in place. The first and biggest
change that I will be working toward
will be to make the Aqua News avail-
able as an online publication. With the
talented design capabilities of Mr. Joe
Lover, we will be providing a bright,
colorful and wonderful online Aqua
News. We are in an age where tech-
nology can help us provide a beauti-
FromTheEditor
ful means of publishing our articles,
photos and stories at a minimal cost.
Let’s take advantage of the tools avail-
able to us!
For a short time, I will be publishing
the online version of the Aqua News
alongside the normal print version that
you are accustomed to having in your
mailbox. I want to know what you, the
membership, have to say about the
new version of the Aqua News. Your
comments, thoughts and suggestions
are welcome. Please forward them to
me at the new email address for the
Aqua News editor:
editor@mn-aquarium.org
I do understand that some folks do not
have access to the internet. When we
do move to the online version, conces-
sions will be made for those that do
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not have the ability to read the news-
letter online.
I’m also hoping to bring a tour of
people’s fish rooms in each volume
of the Aqua News. This will give us
an opportunity to get to know our
fellow members and provide insight
to the many different ways that we
can keep fish. If you are interested in
having your fish room highlighted in
an Aqua News, please let me know!
I’m interested in all fish rooms and fish
keepers, be they single-tank homes or
ponds, or high tech rooms with hun-
dreds of tanks!
I’m excited to serve as the new Aqua
News editor! I hope I can continue
to provide a high quality, interesting
and educational news letter into the
future!
 President’sMessage
President* ........................................... Jenny Kruckenberg
651-457-2302 .................................... jennyk@usfamily.net Hello MAS members, considered small, no suggestion is
Vice-President* (tie breaker only) ...... Carter McAninch disregarded. Remember too, for
763-784-4937 ..............................._carter_mc@excite.com This is my final message to you as some BOD members, sending an
Treasurer* .....................................................Tom Gromek your President. I’m sad because I email, a phone call or face to face
651-462-8223 ................................................tjg@usgo.net so enjoy serving in this capacity, dialogue at a meeting is the best
Secretary* ................................................ Anchor Sarslow but I know Mike will do a fan- way to communicate. Forums are
763-856-0940 ....................................anxsar@netzero.com tastic job!! His leadership skills wonderful places, but they’re not
Under-director* ............................................ Milo Squires as Show Chair have been truly for everyone. Dani will be work-
952-448-4153 ................................... squiresmn@msn.com remarkable. ing on setting up email addresses
Director-2yr.* ..............................................Dani Ellickson for the various chairs and direc-
............................................underwaterjewels@gmail.com
As a wrap up, I’d like to mention tors through the website.
Director-2yr,* .............................................. Brad Hedlund how wonderful it’s been to lead
............................................ BHedlund@timesaversinc.com
the club through this historic 75th As we go into the 76th year,
Director-1yr.* ...................................................Jim Mathis year. We’ve had many interesting we’ll not forget our history. We’ll
952-432-7606 .....................................aquamath@aol.com
talks by nationally known speak- acknowledge those who have
Director-1yr.* ....................................................Mike Fries
651-489-2973 ..........................masshowchair@yahoo.com
ers. We’ve had special gatherings “been there and done that” and
on additional days besides Thurs- we’ll encourage the next genera-
Aqua News Editor ......................................Dani Ellickson
....................................................editor@mn-aquarium.org days. Our membership numbers tion (or those returning to the
continue to climb and I was very hobby) to “be all they can be.”
Auction Chairs ................................................Chris Smith
651-487-8073 ................................. crsmith12@excite.com pleased to meet many new folks We’ll continue to laugh, share
Auction Chairs ........................................... Brad Swanson
and exchange hundreds of emails ideas and educate and although
612-522-4399 ....................................wifabo@myexel.com and phone calls. the medium may be changing as
BAP Data ....................................................... Ted Jolivette we view the Aqua News, the mis-
763-783-9416 ............................... t.jolivette@comcast.net As Tom would say regarding the sion remains the same. Education
BAP Spokesperson ....................................... Randy Carey Prez position, “the buck stops and fun!! Please join us as we
651-780-8068 ................................aquaria@randytech.net here” but I prefer this quote “a tour Koiacres in Scandia and catch
Bowl Show Chair .................................... Tiffany Severson chain is only as strong as its weak- trout/picnic at the farm in Star
....................................................... tiffnseve@hotmail.com est link.” I’ve been honored and Prairie, WI on July 15th.
Book Points Chair ...........................................Chris Smith appreciative to work amongst the
651-487-8073 ................................. crsmith12@excite.com dedicated committee chairs and I thank you for your membership.
Darter Collection Chair ..................... Jenny Kruckenberg current board of directors. These Final quotes (and these are my
651-457-2302 .................................... jennyk@usfamily.net are creative, hard working people two all time favorites!!) “Wheth-
Donations Chair.......................................... Dennis Drews who challenge themselves and er you think you can, or think you
952-529-3596 ................................. drews5255a@aol.com
are drawn together by our one can’t, you’re probably right.” And
Exchange Editor ........................................ Brentt Helland shared link...a love of fish. I’m “The difference between extraor-
...............................................................brentt_@msn.com
sometimes amazed how long the dinary and ordinary is that little
HAP Spokesperson ....................................... Milo Squires BOD meetings last, but it’s only extra.” Take these quotes and do
952-448-4153 ................................... squiresmn@msn.com
because we’re constantly striv- some great things with your fish.
HAP Data ........................................................Dave Behler
ing to improve each and every
Librarian ............................................................ Jon Heyer aspect of how the club runs and Jen K.
952-215-2043 .................................... Jpheyer@yahoo.com
what we’re trying to accomplish. MAS President
MAS/ACA Liaison ...........................................Bob Randall Please remember, no question is
952-432-6298 ................................... bobrfish@yahoo.com
MAS/FAAS Liaison ................................. Carter McAninch
763-784-4937 ..............................._carter_mc@excite.com
Membership Chair ...........................................Bob Carter
651-633-4351 ......................................... bcarter@visi.com
Program Chair .............................................. Randy Carey
651-780-8068 ................................aquaria@randytech.net
Show Chair .....................................................Bob Randall
952-432-6298 ................................... bobrfish@yahoo.com
Webmaster ..................................................Dani Ellickson
........................................... webmaster@mn-aquarium.org
Historian .................................................Rodger Anderson
763-535-4364 .................................. rodgea@earthlink.net
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 MembershipReport
►ABOUT THE MAS
The Minnesota Aquarium Society (MAS) is an
incorporated, non-profit organization of tropi-
cal fish enthusiasts that was established in the
1930s. The MAS is one of the largest local level
clubs in the U.S., averaging about 200 current
members. MAS is a member of the Federation
of American Aquarium Society (FAAS).
►MONTHLY MEETINGS
Monthly meetings are held on the 1st Thursday
of each month (note: there are no meetings in
July) at 7:30pm at St. Christopher’s Episcopal
Church, 2300 N. Hamline Ave., Roseville, MN (at
the NE corner of Hwy 36 and Hamline). Most
meetings focus on a presentation by a speaker
who is often nationally-recognized. Visitors are
welcome to attend.
►BOARD MEETINGS
MAS Board of Directors meetings are held on
the 2nd Thursday of each month, except for
July, at the same location as our general meet-
ings at 7pm and are open to MAS members.
►AQUA NEWS
Aqua News is a bi-monthly publication of the
MAS. It has been recognized with national
awards and is included with membership.
Members are encouraged to send original
articles and photos for publication. Submit
them by sending to the MAS mailing address or
to the editor via meetings or email. Electronic
versions of the article are strongly recom-
mended. Photo quality/resolution will deter-
mine whether it is used. All articles are subject
to editing.
►EXCHANGES + REPRINTING
Exchanges with other non-profit groups are
welcomed. Articles may be reprinted provided
proper credit is given to the author, the MAS,
and AquaNews. Two (2) copies of the publica-
tion containing the article must be sent to the
exchange editor at the address below. Any
other reprinting is by permission of the author
only.
►MINNESOTA FISH KEEPERS FORUM
The Minnesota Fish Keepers Forum is a great
local online resource for fish keepers of all
kinds. Stop by and share fish knowledge with
fellow fish keepers in Minnesota! The MFK is
endorsed by the MAS. www.minnfish.com.
►E-MAIL GROUP LIST
MAS has a monitored e-mail announcement list
available to all members. Messages are sent to
all members on the list. If you’d like to broad-
cast a message or subscribe to the list, send
your request to mas-admin@careytech.net.
►DISCUSSION GROUP LIST
MAS maintains a monitored discussion list
through yahoo groups. MAS members can
subscribe at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
mnaquarium/.
Well folks, it is done. We’ve made
it to the end of our 75th Anni-
versary Year. Seems to me that
it lasted quite a bit longer than
a year. I am definitely proud to
have been a part of it. This past
year of speakers and programs
has been incredible. I look back
over the last year (much like we
did at the last monthly meeting)
and can not think of one single
topic or speaker that did not
grab my attention. I even appre-
ciated the talk about clams. I will
never be a saltwater fishkeeper,
but that was pretty interesting
even to me. So who was the
best? That is really hard to pin
down. I’m sure that if you asked
that question of ten members
you would get ten different an-
swers. Oliver Lucanus was won-
derful at the show, and his topics
for talks were incredible. But
then again, I was really interest-
ed by Mike Helwig, no wait how
about Lee Finley. Oops – let’s try
Bob Allen or Wayne Leibel. It
was also nice to here from one
of our own – Dean Hougan. And
Chicago isn’t that far away so we
can claim some Midwestern ties
to Scott Davis. Ricky Cain’s talks
were also of great interest to me
and I enjoyed them as well. So I
said you had to ask ten people
and you would get ten differ-
ent answers. Looks like I covered
them all – no need to ask nine
other members.
I wish to offer a big thank you
from me to anybody who had
anything to do with making the
75th Anniversary year a truly
memorable one. I won’t soon
forget this past year.
Anchor’s participate bribery
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tomfoolery is over and done.
Congratulation Tiffany, Jim and
Paul. I’m sure you will all put the
gift certificates to good use. I
would have asked for a MAS gift
certificate to help defray some of
my spending at the auctions and
the BAP/HAP table.
Congratulations to our new
board members Bob Randall and
Anchor Sarslow. And to Mike
Harris for volunteering to take
over the Secretary role vacated
by Anchor. Leading this group
will be no cakewalk, but I’m sure
that Mike will be up to the task.
It looks to be an interesting year
shaping up.
Last but not least, check your
mailing label. The labels have
your expiration date on them
right on top of your name. If this
date is highlighted this is the last
AquaNews you will receive unless
you renew. I will also be send-
ing email out to those whose
membership have expired or will
shortly expire. We are creeping
our way toward 2007; it would
be nice to make it to that goal.
I’m constantly looking forward
to the first Thursday night of the
month. I’ll have a couple of BAP
and HAP submissions coming up
soon. I might even work harder
at getting stuff ready ahead of
time so that I can enter more
bowl shows. My plan is be there
and participate. I hope you all
will join me.
See you in the fishroom,
Bob Carter
Membership Chair
 Darter‘06
Collecting
By Randy Carey
Hello everyone who
signed up for darter col-
lecting in May. I thought
I’d write to everyone and
summarize our produc-
tive Saturday.
The crew met at the
traditional parking lot in
Welch. Lee Finley and I
arrived early and scouted
the area so we would
have a game plan by our
9:45 start time.
Cannon River – Green
Banded Darters
Yes, the Cannon was
higher and moving much
too rapidly to go out into
the middle, or to most
areas where we have col-
lected in the past. But we
found a side channel that
averaged about three
feet in depth, so we tried
it. It was quite productive
yielding over two dozen
green banded darters.
These specimens were
a bit on the small side
and lacked their intense
spawning colors. Still,
we were able to identify
males and females. A
couple of Johnny Darters
were found in the mix.
The river was high and
swift, but the channel
shown above was work-
able – and quite produc-
tive
Collecting Rainbow Darters
One of the more spectacular fantail specimens
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In the same waters, we pulled out two brilliantly-
colored male Green-Banded Darters. We kept
those for pairing with the females we that we
were taking from the Cannon.
Then we moved to Belle was ideal. We drove well
Creek. Lee and I found a past our normal stopping
new collecting area that place, parked along the
road, and walked to a
fairly fast moving stream
that was crystal clear and
between one and three
feet in depth. Our most
productive spot was a
side channel. We could
have pulled out dozens
of Fantail Darters here.
We found mature speci-
mens (ready-to-go) of
both sexes.
Along side the fantail
channel was the wide
and faster part of the
stream. It was here that
we caught about a half
dozen brilliantly-colored,
adult Rainbow Darters.
These obviously were
from last year’s repopula-
tion project. As requested
from Konrad, we released
these after taking photos.
In the same waters, we
cont. on page 6
pulled out two brilliantly-
colored male Green-
Banded Darters. We kept
those for pairing with the
females we that we were
taking from the Cannon.

We did walk up the

stream nearly a quarter
mile and sampled along
the way. We pulled a few
more fantails here and
there, but the productiv-
ity was nothing like that
of the small side channel.

We divvied up the Belle

Creek Fish, had lunch in
Welch, and then divvied
up the green bandeds
from the Cannon.
Two of the Rainbow Darters we netted in the Belle
Marine on St. Croix
– stream of rainbows
Everyone was so im-
pressed with the Rain-
bows that the whole crew
wanted to go to Marine
on St. Croix. Fortunately, I
had cleared that location
a day earlier with the
DNR, so we took the 75
minute drive up.
Our guess was “eel pout,” but no one knew for sure
As usual, the collection of
Rainbow Darters in this rine-on-St.-Croix because
short stream was fairly my camera battery died
easy. The colors of these at the end. I’ll be submit-
specimens were not as ting photo to the MAS
spectacular as what we web site and to the AN.
found on the Belle Creek
rainbows, but there were The group broke up
nice. Males and females a little after 6:00 pm,
were easily distinguished. after an 8+ hour day of
enjoying great weather,
We also netted trout and exploration, and frater-
what we thought was eel nal camaraderie. Lee
pout. was impressed with the
experience, and he plans
I brought a photo tank to write an article for his Collecting the fantails
and have photos sam- club’s publication.
pling all species – except
for the rainbows of Ma-

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 by Bob Randall

Cichlid
matters
NEWS yes MAS’ own Willie
Loh won Best in Show
Let us take a few mo-
with a beautiful discus,
ments to mourn the loss
Mandarin I think. Jen
of our past AquaNews
Kruckenberg, another
editor, Anchor Sarslow.
MAS cichlid keeper, took
I was so broken up over
home a few trophies
this lose I did not write a
herself. Dani and her
column last issue. An-
nephew, Nick Ellickson
chor saved me when he
were present as was Tif-
re-published a column.
fany Severson (our new
Thanks Anchor. Thanks
Bowl Show Chair). There
for serving as editor
were numerous wild fish
Anchor. Our new editor is
in the auction on Sunday.
Dani Ellickson. Welcome
I successfully bid on a
to AquaNews Dani.
pair of Neolamprologus
mustax and picked up
Expo 2006 recently held
some tiny blue labridens.
in Des Moines and hosted
Of course Jen, Dani and
by Midwest Cichlid Asso-
Tiffany also were success-
ciation was a great event.
fully in bringing home
This cichlid convention
some unique cichlids
was the closest cichlid
and catfish too. It was
convention to Minne-
a great weekend. Look-
sota since MAS hosted an
ing forward to next year
American Cichlid Associa-
already.
tion (ACA) convention
in 1993. We heard Rusty
As much fun as Expo was,
Wessel talk about cich-
the three ring circus of one may donate cichlids cichlids, lots and lots of
lids from Honduras and
cichlids will open 19 July to this auction. Another cichlids to buy and sell
Mexico. Ad Konings gave
in Chicago. It is ACA 2006. auction will feature new all over the hotel. If you
us presentations about
There will be 14 speakers hard goods donated by are going have fun and
collecting fish in Lake Ma-
(some speaking twice) Ray Lucas’ sponsors. The please do not buy too
lawi and Tanganyika. Lar-
from Africa, Europe and big auction on 23 July many fish.
ry Arnold told us about
North America speak- will offer hundreds of
Synodontis (these are not
ing. Randy Carey (BAP bags of cichlids. I have CICHLID HEALTH
cichlids). Willie Goh and
chair and Programs Chair) not attended an ACA Not long ago on Minne-
Jack Taylor showed us
is one of the speakers. convention that did not sota Fish Keepers forum
their discus and hatchery.
ACA2006 will include an have at least 500 bags of there was a lot of talk
However, the presen-
all-cichlid show with over cichlids available. In addi- about fish and disease.
tation that seemed to
200 entries. There will be tion, there will be excur- I want to use this soap-
capture everyone was a
three separate oral auc- sions for fish wives and box for some remarks
surprise. Mo Devlin’s Con-
tions and two-day silent fish husbands. There will about that subject. When
fessions of a Middle Aged
auction. One of the oral be dozens of exhibitors disease is mentioned, the
Cichlaholic was clearly
auctions is to raise money showing off their prod- first thought that comes
enjoyed by all. Expo 2006
for Endowment Funds ucts. There will be a toga to many cichlid keep-
show classes were cichlids
sponsored by ACA. Any- party. And there will be
and catfish. Willie Loh,
|7| cont. on page 8

Cichlid
matters
ers’ minds is infectious
disease. However, there
is another type of disease
that I would like to dis-
cuss. That is environmen-
tal disease or stress.
What is stress? Stress is
a physiologic response
to environmental condi-
tions. Stress
can be rec-
ognized in
cichlids that
refuse to eat,
healthy cich-
lids are vora-
cious eaters.
A cichlid that
becomes
hyperactive
is also show-
ing signs
of stress, as
are cichlids
with labored
breathing.
What is hap-
pening inside
our cichlids
during stress?
Cortisol levels go up,
kidney and gut activity
go down, red blood cell
concentration rises, white
blood cells decline and
blood ammonia levels
increase.
There are two types of
stress, acute and chronic.
A number of experts
agree that stress is the
most important factor
in preventing infectious
disease also. The reason is
that a stress free cich-
lid has active defenses
against infectious organ-
isms. However, if a cichlid
is subjected to chronic
stress, infectious disease
has a chance of infect-
ing one or many fish.
The greater the chronic
stress, the greater the risk
for infectious disease. Or
a fish that has adapted
to chronic stress may be
healthy and then a sud-
den acute stress is added
to equation resulting in
either immediate death
or infectious disease to
occur.
Stress presents a particu-
lar problem to cichlids
that are algae eaters.
First, these cichlids are
often under chronic
stress due to territorial
disputes amongst each
other. It takes a lot of
algae to feed one of
these cichlids and thus
their feeding territory is
|8|
going to be large. The
result is constant chasing
of each other back and
forth through the tank.
In these cichlids, the gut
is perhaps ten times as
long as the fish itself.
This long gut contains
food and our vegetar-
ian cichlid suffers a new
acute stress. This results
in decreased gut motility.
In turn, gut protozoan
that are normally in check
now flourish, attack the
gut wall, breach it and
infect the abdominal cav-
ity with gut bacteria and
protozoan. Even if the
gut is free of protozoan,
anaerobic bacteria will
begin to flourish. These
bacteria can also breach
the gut wall leading to
abdominal infection. In
addition, these bacteria
release hydrogen sulfide,
a cellular poison.
by Bob Randall
Cichlids can be kept
disease free if proper
maintenance is followed.
So what determines
proper maintenance?
First is water quality. One
parameter of water qual-
ity is oxygen; water must
contain 6 ppm or more.
At 3 ppm expect fish
death. Next
is carbon
dioxide,
levels of 3
ppm or less
is consistent
with health
but levels
of 15 ppm
or higher
result in
fish death.
Nitrate con-
centrations
are also im-
portant. Less
than 1 ppm
and fish
will remain
healthy vs.
100 ppm,
which is lethal. The
list goes on with tem-
perature, pH, ammonia,
nitrite, chlorine, heavy
metals, organics, hydro-
gen sulfide (possible with
deeper substrates), etc…
all affecting water qual-
ity. Each of these factors
has been discussed in
previous columns and
will be again. Population
density is another factor
in regards to mainte-
nance. Cichlids kept in
crowded conditions will
begin to fin nip or worse
cont. on page 9
 by Bob Randall

Cichlid
matters
perform bodily damage Removal of chronic stress is also true for cichlids acute stress, including us-
to each other. There are returns our cichlids to an that are not displaying ing a net in the tank, and
exceptions such as an optimum state of health. external signs of chronic the infection goes from
mbuna only latent sub-
tank, but clinical to
even here obvious
there may infection
be damage. where the
Just as other fish ap-
animals have pears sick.
space issues,
so do cich- We do not
lids. Tank induce
size is also disease in
an important our fish
consider- deliberate-
ation when ly, we are
considering well inten-
stress to a tioned but
cichlid. It never-
should be theless,
noted that something
environmen- happens
tal stress resulting
elicited by in sick
water quality and dying
affects all cichlids within If stress is not removed, stress; an acute stress that cichlids. I suggest we can
a tank. Population den- fish must adapt. Adapta- is great enough will result prevent sick cichlids if we
sity and tank size may or tion is only sufficient for in a dead fish that looks study the factors lead-
may not elicit stress in a low levels of stress or healthy (hmm, dead fish ing to stress. We take
given tank resident. for short time periods. If looks healthy). steps to reduce stress to
chronic stress levels are greatest degree pos-
Think about those fac- not kept low or if they Returning to infectious sible. Some day, when we
tors that determine water continue for longer time disease... Chronic stress least expect it, when we
quality, note there is a periods, then cichlid grow may allow sub-clinical cannot control it, some
range between what is declines; the fish begin infections to arise. Here unexpected acute stress
healthy and what elicits to darken in color. Tis- our cichlids are carrying will happen. When that
death. Consider popula- sues between fin rays of a virus or bacteria and occurs, will our cichlids
tion density and tank caudal, anal and pectoral appear to be healthy adapt or will this be the
size, these two have rang- fins may begin to disap- but physiologically they end?
es from healthy to death. pear, resulting in a frayed are stressed by the sub-
Chronic stress is what lies fin appearance. Cichlids clinical infection. Thus, Pseudotropheus polit
in the middle between a that are displaying this the cichlid is exposed to photography by Tanya
healthy parameter and appearance may have chronic environmental Sabby
death. We have already adapted to chronic stress, stress allowing a sub-
discussed the effects of but any acute increase in clinical infection to occur.
stress on cichlids. What stress will kill the fish. It Cichlid looks and acts
can we do about it? can no longer adapt. This healthy. Now add an
|9|
 FISH
ROOM
TOUR

As the new editor bring- life, so much so that he ease of maintenance. feature when babysitting
ing in an online Aqua and Sue bought their cur- (Mike says THANKS for their fish while on vaca-
News, I thought a nice rent house with the vision doing a fantastic job tion, it’s SCHWEEEET!).
feature would be to of building a fish room in Brad!) Highlights of the There is an R/O unit and
highlight fish rooms of the unfinished basement. room are that half of the holding tanks, a brine
fellow MAS’ers, especially tank lights are on a timer shrimp hatchery, an air
since we can show photos exchanger to help with
in color! I encourage humidity and a HEPA
everyone to share their filter to help with air
fish rooms with the rest quality through the
of us. It doesn’t matter rest of the house.
if you keep one two-gal-
lon tank, or hundreds of As you can see, they
tanks! I would love it if have a lot of tanks!
folks would write up an They have sixteen ten-
article and send me pic- gallon tanks, nine fif-
tures of their fish rooms. teen-gallon tanks, five
This is a great opportuni- fifty-five-gallon tanks,
ty to shine and show off twenty-seven
your fishy world. If you’re twenty-gallon
interested in having your tanks, a sev-
fish room highlighted, enty-two-gal-
please contact me. lon bowfront
(which houses
Our first fish room tour Their current fish room some lovely
is of our incoming Presi- took over two years to discus!), a
dent, Mike Fries. Mike build. With the help of thirty-five-
has been keeping fish family and friends, they gallon hex,
since college in the 70’s. finished their basement a 125-gallon
He shared a tank with his to prepare for the build tank, a turtle
roommate and has kept out of the fish room tank and their
at least one tank up and itself. Our own fellow and each tank is plumbed alarm system who goes
running ever since. His MAS’er Brad Swanson individually for water by the name of Jingles.
longtime passion has a built the fish room and changes (I’ve personally Jingles is also the fish
significant impact in his plumbed the tanks for had a chance to use that food vacuum cleaner!

| 10 | cont. on page 11
Mike keeps a wide variety
of fish, ranging from
African rift lake cichlids,
to Apistogrammas, to
Knight Gobies.

I asked a few questions of

Mike to give us a chance
to know him better as a
fellow fish keeper.

Favorite fish: Elephant

Nose
Most frustrating fish:
Celebes Rainbowfish and
Knight Goby
Only named fish: A puffer
named The Crusher
Nicest thing about having
drilled tanks: Being able
to save hours and hours
of time spent on tank
maintenance by being
able to perform water
changes more often in
less time.
Area that needs the most that area the 500-point level for foods. To get more into
work: Not very good with Future goals: A pond in BAP (almost there!). To fish photography. (Cur-
plants. Still need help in the back yard. To reach learn more about live rently Mike photographs

| 11 | cont. on page 12
his fish and Sue uses the
photos to make cards.)
Favorite Fish Story: Our
grandson had his sev-
enth birthday party at
our house. He brought
all the kids to the fish
room to see the fish. All
of the kids wanted to go
home with fish! Each kid
went home with a bag of
Endlers Livebearers. The
parents were in shock to
see the fish room, but
they were happy that the
kids went home with the
Endlers.

What sage advice would

you give someone new
to the hobby: Buy the
biggest tanks that you
can afford. Check that
your spouse or significant
other enjoys your fish
before you get in too
deep. Warn your kids and FISH
spouses when you put ROOM
worms and live food in
the fridge!
TOUR

| 12 |
How to Get Kids Interested in Fishkeeping
(or How to Sneak More Tanks Into the House)
By Mike Harris why it’s needed. It’s best yourself, it will help them ested in their fish tank.
to just start off with a understand that some- Babies also keep my wife
couple of fish, more can times impulse purchases interested in the hobby,
Having four kids in the
be added later to get can be bad decisions, but that’s a whole dif-
house and 14 tanks set
the cycle started. Besides you can read the book ferent article. It’s a great
up made getting the
what kid doesn’t think to them or they can read way to get kids talking
kids interested in our
talking about poo is it themselves if they’re about their fish. Pointing
hobby a little easier, but
funny? old enough, it’s quality out where mommy fish
it wasn’t always that way.
bonding time, you can laid her eggs and watch-
I’ve come up with a few
2) It’s a fish eat fish world discuss why or why not a ing them do a little fish
ideas that may help get
out there. Take the little fish might not be a good mating dance is all funny,
your kids and grandkids
tyke to the fish store to choice if it’s a community but they are learning and
interested in keeping
see what types of fish are tank, plus it also gets kids staying interested. Keep
their own fish. Hopefully
available for their first reading which is always this in mind when help-
providing them a life-
tank. Have them write good. ing them select their fish.
long hobby that they can
down the types of fish Most common fish are
someday pass along to
that they think are cool 3) Fishies don’t like pretty good at making
their kids.
or pretty and they’d like bubble baths. After the babies. You also need
to have in their room. Do fish get home, it’s a good to think of what you’re
1) Dead fish aren’t fun
not buy fish on this trip. idea to help the kids with going to do with the fry.
to play with. Although it
After the fish store, stop feeding the new fish and It may become a sticky
may seem very boring at
at the local library and cleaning out their tank. situation later on if the
first, it’s imperative that
check out some books on You should do this with child doesn’t want to give
they know the basics of
the fish that they like. My the child until you feel them up.
fish keeping. Water just
kids had to read at least comfortable letting them
isn’t water when it comes
three books, kid books do it on their own. We’ve 5) Fishin’ buddies. Once
to fish keeping. Hard
not grown-up books, on all heard or experienced the kids are old enough,
water, soft water, drink-
the types of fish they stories of kids dumping MAS meetings, bowl
ing water, acidic water,
liked before they got to whole cans of fish food shows, the big fish show
black water, there are
buy the fish. The reasons into tanks before. It hap- and auctions are all great
a lot of different terms
behind making them do pens. But with guidance, places for kids to be
that would make any kids
a little research before a the likelihood should be exposed to other fish-
eyes glaze over, but at
purchase are these; it may at a bare minimum. Also keepers, see cool new fish
the very least they should
not be a fish you’ve kept be truthful with the kids. they’d like and may just
understand that water
before so you don’t know These are living animals make new friends who
out of the kitchen sink is
a whole lot about them and death is a part of also like to keep fish.
ok for us, but will kill the
the life cycle. Don’t try They might just also find
fishies. Help them choose
to replace the fish with a new area of the hobby
what kind of decorations
another without their they like that you may
the new fish’s home is go-
knowledge, they’ll know not, such as an interest in
ing to have. I recommend
if it’s a different fish. If keeping live plants or a
some fake plants for
the fish dies, talk about particular type of fish.
the fish’s sakes but if
why it died and have
they want Sponge
a nice little funeral Long story short, do
Bob or Hello Kitty
service in the garden what it takes to get them
decorations they
for it. involved. I’ve found that
should get them. It
my kids really like keep-
is their tank after
4) Sex in the kid’s ing their own fish. And
all. Most impor-
room. Baby fry are sharing a hobby as a fam-
tantly they need
in my opinion one ily is just more fun!
to know about the
of the best ways to
Nitrogen cycle and
keep the kids inter-
| 13 |
 Planted Aquarium
SUBSTRATES
It seems one of the most
commonly asked ques-
tions when someone is
starting a new planted
aquarium is “what kind
of substrate should I
use?” This is for good
reason. It is one of the
first decisions one needs
to make when starting a
new planted tank. Grant-
ed the substrate is only
one piece of the planted
aquarium puzzle and by
itself will not make or
break your success with
aquatic plants. But, a
good substrate can make
growing healthy plants a
lot easier. It can pay off
in the long term to invest
some time researching
and invest a little extra
money on a good sub-
strate. It is a one-time
expense and changing
out the substrate after
the tank is established is
very difficult or impos-
sible in some cases. I hope
to help with the research
portion of that here.
First, I will try to briefly
explain what makes a
good substrate. Then, I
will list some of the com-
monly available quality
substrates and additives
in the Twin Cities, their
attributes, and where you
can buy them. Finally, I
will also give some sug-
gestions on which I would
recommend.
What is a planted aquar-
ium substrate? Simply, it
is the stuff you put in the
bottom of the tank to
plant the plants in. Usu-
ally, it is a gravel or sand-
like material. Just like
house or garden plants
that grow best in a good
soil, your aquatic plants
will grow best in a good
substrate.
There are several fac-
tors that make a good
substrate:
1.Grain size: Anything
from a coarse sand
texture to a fine gravel
texture works best. If the
grain is too large, it will
be difficult to keep plants
down and most people
think large grain gravel
does not look very nice in
a planted aquarium. If it
is too fine it can compact.
That will limit the avail-
ability of oxygen to the
roots and toxic gases can
build up in it. Don’t count
on gravel vacuuming to
keep a fine substrate
turned. It is generally
not advisable to vacuum
the gravel in a planted
aquarium. You want the
detritus to build up in
the substrate; your plants
will feed on that stuff.
Besides, if all goes well it
will be difficult to get at
the substrate because of
the plant cover.
| 14 |
2. Porosity: You want a
material that is porous. It
gives places for the bene-
ficial bacteria to colonize
to process the detritus
and places for the root
hairs to take hold.
3. C.E.C. Cation Exchange
Capacity quantifies the
ability of a substrate to
provide a nutrient reserve
for plant uptake. Sub-
strates with a high C.E.C.
actually store nutrients
when they are in excess
in the water column and
release it to the plants
when levels drop in the
water column. This is
added insurance for you
liquid fertilizer regime
and seems to really help
plants that are heavy root
feeders.
4. Nutrient content: Some
substrates also come
with beneficial nutrients
built-in and are consid-
ered “rich” substrates.
It is helpful to have a
substrate that is high in
Iron and other neces-
sary micro-nutrients. In
addition, some substrates
include some macro nutri-
ents (Nitrogen, Phospho-
rous, Potassium, Calcium
and Magnesium). Having
nutrients available out of
the bag is not a necessity,
but is an added plus of
the better substrates.
by matt proost
5. Aesthetics: It’s a visual
hobby; it should look
good to you. I prefer
substrates that look like
natural gravels, sands, or
even that look like soil.
6. Weight: It is a benefit
to have a heavier sub-
strate so it stays in place
and holds the plants
down.
There are three basic
groups of substrates, the
“Brand Name” substrates,
the “soil conditioners”
and the plain gravels
and sands. The options I
listed below are generally
easily obtained and are
the ones that I have tried
except for the ADA soils.
I have only seen those in
action in other people’s
tanks. If you are connect-
ed to the internet, some
of the images below have
links built into the images
to larger images to show
detail. Ctrl+click on those
images to enlarge.
“Brand-Name” sub-
strates
The first group is the
“Brand Name” substrates.
These are some the sub-
strates manufactured or
marketed specifically to
aquarists through your
local fish store (LFS) or
online aquatic supply
stores. All of these will
cont. on page 15
have a high C.E.C. and
excellent porosity. I will
include some VERY ap-
proximate LFS prices and
web (online store) prices
including shipping based
on what I have seen at a
small sampling of stores.
You may find different
prices, but they should be
close. I suggest purchas-
ing these items at your
LFS if they have what
you are looking for. The
cost difference is usually
minor and in my opinion
it is better to support
the local stores when
you can. Call some local
stores to see if they carry
the product you want
or if they can order it in.
Most stores will only carry
one or two of the “name
brand” substrates. This is
by no means a complete
list, but just the common
ones I have used or the
ones I could find enough
good info to include in
this list.
Seachem Flourite ($25-
29 LFS; $21-25 web):
available in a 7 kg bag,
enough for a 10 gallon.
Available in regular (nat-
ural mixed gravel look) or
Flourite “Red” that is a
solid clay red color. It has
a varied somewhat coarse
grain size. It is high in
Iron and other micro-nu-
trients making it a “rich”
substrate. It does not con-
tain any macro nutrients.
It’s heavy and can mixed
with up to 50% natural
gravel or one of the soil
conditioners described
below to save some
money on a large tank.
This is one of the most
popular substrates and
many, including myself,
have used it with great
success.
Carib-Sea Eco-Complete
($28-35 LFS; $27-31 web):
available in a 20 lb bag
enough for a 10 gal-
lon. Packed in a liquid
that according to the
manufacturer contains
“Heterotrophic bacte-
ria” to aid in cycling. It
is a black substrate with
a grain size that varies
from coarse sand to fine
gravel. It almost looks
like soil in the aquarium.
It is high in Iron, a wide
range of micros, and
contains some macro
nutrients. The texture is
excellent to plant in and
fine foreground plants
grow well in it. Personally
my favorite substrate, the
black color emphasizes
the greens and red of
the plants. But, it is also
very expensive. It can be
mixed with Soilmaster
Select Charcoal discussed
below; black 3M color
quartz, or even coarse
black sand.
Red Sea Flora Base ($30
LFS; $28-30 web): avail-
able in a 12 lb bag
enough for a 10 gallon.
Produced from natural
volcanic ash-based soil, it
is a solid brownish color.
It is high in iron and mi-
cros. It also buffers Ph to
6.5-7.0, which is preferred
by aquatic plants. When
it is fully saturated it has
an almost spongy tex-
ture, and it is rather light
making it a little more
difficult to plant in. It can
be capped with a layer
of natural gravel to help
| 15 |
hold down the plants and
break up the uniform
color if desired.
ADA Aqua Soils ($45-
50 web(Dallas, TX)):
available in a 9 liter
bag enough for a
20 gallon. Available
in Amazonia(black),
Malaya(light sand),
Africana(dark sand).These
are the substrates mar-
keted by Takashi Amano
and sold in the U.S. only
by Aquarium Design
Group at http://www.
adgshop.com/. High in
iron, micros and some
macros. This also buffers
ph to slightly acid, which
benefits the plants, espe-
cially difficult acid loving
plants. Easy to plant in
and nice fine texture.
Because of their unique
characteristics they do
not mix well with other
materials. In my opinion
the best substrate. There
is no need to purchase
the entire ADA substrate
system, unless you want
to. The Aqua soils work
great by themselves.
Soil Conditioners
The next group is the
Soil Conditioners: These
are fired clay products
that are sold as terrestrial
soil conditioners, but are
useful as plant substrates.
They are significantly
cheaper than the “name-
brand” substrates. The
soil conditioners are all
chemically similar because
they are all made from
basically the same mate-
rial. They all have a very
high C.E.C., and are high
in available iron. But, I do
not consider these rich
substrates because they
only contain iron. They
are chemically inert so
they will not affect ph.
They are all generally
light in weight at first,
but they are hydroscopic
and absorb lots of water
and seem to weigh down
over time. But, they never
achieve the same plant
hold down ability of the
plant-specific substrates
or regular gravel. The dif-
ferences in the soil-condi-
tioners are in size, color
and where you purchase
them. As far as I know
none of these are found
at traditional LFS’.
Schultz’s Clay Soil Con-
ditioner ($19.99 local
large garden centers) is
available in a 40 lb bag
enough for a standard 55
gallon. It is a somewhat
solid orange/brown color,
and has a varying grain
size like natural flint
gravel. It can be helpful
to cap the Schultz’s with
similar sized natural grav-
el to help hold the plants
down and break up the
uniform color. Excellent
substrate for the price.
Schultz’s Aquatic Plant
Soil is the exact same ma-
terial sold with pond sup-
plies in smaller bags for a
higher price per pound. I
have used quite a bit of
the Schultz’s product with
good results.
Pro’s Choice Soilmaster
Red or Brown, and Soil-
master Select Charcoal
and Red ($16-20 at lesco)
are available in a 50 lb
bag enough for a stan-
dard 75 gallon. The regu-
lar Soilmaster Red and
cont. on page 16
Brown are a somewhat
solid red/brown color, and
have a varying grain size
like natural flint gravel or
Flourite. Soilmaster Select
is available dark charcoal
color or clay red color and
has a fine rather uniform
grain size. The Select is
preferred for fine fore-
ground plants and I think
the texture is nearly per-
fect for planted aquaria.
The Select charocoal can
mixed with Eco-complete
or capped with black 3M
color quartz. The red can
be mixed with Flourite or
capped with fine regular
gravel. Available only at
Lesco dealers, www.lesco.
com, they may have to
order it in for you, but
there is no charge for
that. I have also used
both the Soilmaster Red
and Select Charcoal with
good results.
Regular Gravel and
Sand
Fine Natural gravel and
sand have been used
for years in successful
plant tanks, usually with
a substrate additive like
laterite in the bottom
layer. They are gener-
ally not the best option
because they have a low
or no C.E.C. and usually
do not contain any Iron
or other nutrients. Also,
some gravels and sands
are not porous at all so
there is limited area for
the bacteria to colonize
or root hairs to grab hold.
But, with the laterite
addition and good water
column fertilization it can
be an effective substrate.
A good option for black
sand is 3M color quartz.
There are too many op-
tions for natural gravels
and sands to list them
here. Sources for natural
gravels and sands can be
from a supply house, LFS,
or even a home improve-
ment store. Just make
sure it is fine enough to
effectively hold plants
down and look good.
But, not too fine so that
it will compact. Also, try
to get something that is
at least a little porous.
Sealed or coated gravels
are not recommended.
Substrate Additives
These are the things that
can be added to a sub-
strate to add nutrients,
usually high iron and
micro nutrients or organic
carbon and bacteria.
Laterite is the original
and most common sub-
strate additive. It adds
a lot of iron, and some
other micros. It is avail-
able in several brands
and types. I recommend
the pelletized types that
look like gravel. The pow-
dered types can be a mess
when you uproot a plant.
Laterite is usually mixed
into the bottom layer of
the gravel. Many success-
ful planted aquaria over
the years have used this
simply mixed with gravel.
It can also be used as
added insurance under
the “rich” plant specific
substrates.
Fertilizer tablets are
individual tablets that
are added periodically
into an existing substrate
to add nutrients. Most
add just iron and micros,
| 16 |
but some add macros. I the clear water or filter it
prefer the ones that just out with something. Try
add Iron and micros. The and get it as thick as pos-
ones that add macros sible, because you do not
can be very effective, but want the peat moss to
can also throw off your float. Then, as with any
nutrient balance if you planted aquarium, fill the
accidentally pull one up tank as slowly as you can.
with your plants. Tablets If not, you will have peat
are excellent for add- moss floating all over the
ing a boost under heavy tank.
root feeders like Sword
plants. They are difficult Other Substrates
and expensive to use as
There are many other
a sole source of substrate
substrates that people
fertilization because you
have used that include
have to continually re-
kitty litter, soil mixes, zeo-
plenish them. The brands
lite and countless other
I have tried are Seachem
things. Kitty litter and soil
Flourish tabs and a similar
are a little risky because
tablet by Aquarium Phar-
it is difficult or impossible
maceuticals. They both
to know exactly what you
work as advertised and so
are adding and are not
should the other brands.
recommended unless you
feel like experimenting. I
Fine Peat Moss and
have not tried Zeolite or
Mulm are recommended
anything else, so I cannot
as a base layer of any
provide an opinion on
planted aquarium sub-
them.
strate. The peat moss
adds an organic carbon
Substrate Prep and
source and a nutrient tank filling
source for your beneficial
To rinse or not to rinse?
bacteria to feed on until
That is the question, and
detritus can build up in
it is really up to you and
the substrate. Mulm is
your tolerance for some
a source of the bacteria
suspended particles. Per-
to help give your tank a
sonally, I do not rinse the
jump start and minimize
“Name-brand” substrates
any cycling. Mulm is the
at all, specially Eco-Com-
cruddy looking stuff you
plete, which is meant to
get from cleaning your
be added liquid and all.
filters or a deep gravel
All that dusty stuff in the
vac of a healthy tank.
others is usually high in
Mulm can be collected
nutrients and you did pay
in a few ways: You can
by the pound for it. The
squeeze out the filter
soil conditioners can be
media (foam, floss, etc)
from a healthy tank in especially dusty so some
rinsing may be necessary,
a bucket of tank water
although I do not. I get
or deeply gravel vac a
around a murky tank by
healthy tank saving the
just rinsing the top 1/2”
water. Then, either let it
or less, filling very slowly,
settle out and siphon off
and doing a 100% water
cont. on page 17
change right after fill-
ing it the first time. The
immediate 100% water
change will remove most
of the particles that are
going to become sus-
pended in the water. It
also takes less time than
rinsing all that substrate.
Then, filter floss or a
micron filter will remove
the rest. Besides, rinsing
a lot of substrate can be
very time consuming.
I recommend a layer
of fine peat moss (no
lumps) and mulm under
any planted aquarium
substrate. Though not
necessary, I have found
them very useful in new
plant tanks to help the
plants get a jump start
and minimize any cycling.
If it is going to be a low-
maintenance, low-tech,
non-co2 enriched tank,
use ½ to 1” of peat moss.
If it is going to be a CO2
fed tank, use only a fine
dusting of peat moss on
the bottom glass below
substrate, just enough so
that you can still barely
see through it. The ad-
dition of the acidic CO2
gas could break down the
peat moss and cause a ph
crash if you use too much
in that type of tank. It is
helpful to mist the peat
moss to moisten it before
adding substrate to help
keep it in place. Then,
add as much thick mulm
as you can collect without
making the peat moss
float. Finally cover with
the substrate of your
choice.
Then fill the tank VERY
slowly without disturbing
the substrate. Use a col-
ander with small holes or
a low dish to slow down
the flow. Also, you can
use wet paper towels or
wet newspaper to cover
the substrate to keep the
dust down. But, either
way fill the tank as slow
as you can.
All of this seems like a
lot of extra work and will
add an extra 30 minutes
to an hour to you tank
setup time. None of the
above is required. But, it
will help get your tank
going and can easily save
you hours of dealing with
cycling and algae issues
due to the plants not be-
ing established as quickly.
Substrate
Recommendations
Any one of the substrates
above can be a part
of properly balanced
healthy planted tank.
What do I suggest?
Buy the best substrate
your budget will al-
low. Remember, it is a
one-time expense and
you will have a good
substrate for years. This
especially applies if you
are looking for a some-
what low-maintenance
tank and do not want
to do frequent water
column fertilization. The
rich substrate will provide
nutrients that you are
not adding via the water
column. This also applies
to high-tech, frequently
fertilized tanks. If you
are frequently fertilizing
the water column, the
substrate is less critical.
| 17 |
But, a quality substrate
will be a small additional
cost in that type of setup,
so why not buy the extra
insurance. Also, some of
the most difficult to grow
plants prefer an acidic
substrate, so buying one
that buffers to slightly
acid will make things eas-
ier. Overall, I prefer natu-
ral looking substrates.
Especially the dark ones,
they show off the colors
of the plants best. Un-
natural colored gravels
just don’t look right in a
planted aquarium. It is
a visual hobby after all.
Here are my suggestions
for certain situations:
Budget is no object high-
tech, CO2 enriched tank:
The ADA soils. These are
simply the best available,
and are the best looking
in my opinion. Second
best in my opinion is Eco-
complete because of its
texture and appearance.
But, it does not buffer to
acid. A very thin dusting
of fine peat moss and
mulm are beneficial un-
der either of these.
Low-tech, low mainte-
nance, non-co2 tank:
100 % Seachem Flourite
or Eco-complete with a
½”-1” layer of fine peat
moss and mulm under
the substrate.. Since you
probably won’t be fre-
quently (or ever) adding
liquid fertilizers a “rich”
substrate is critical to
your success.
Nice general plant tank:
Eco-complete or Seachem
Flourite. The Eco-com-
plete if fine plants are
in the plan. Flourite for
general plants, espe-
cially if your plans include
things like swords and
crypts. 100% is best, but
in larger tanks or bud-
get limited tanks both
of these can mixed with
other materials. But, if
mixing with plain gravel
and sand, I suggest mix-
ing these with no more
than 30% of the plain
sand or gravel. Other
wise, mixing with one of
the soil conditioners is
great way to save some
money. As above a thin
dusting of peat moss and
mulm will help here to.
If it is still too expensive,
try….
Large or budget limited
tank: If you have a large
tank, sometimes it is
hard to buy several bags
of substrate at $25+ per
bag. Then, try one the
soil conditioners, capped
with a layer of one of the
“name-brand” substrates
or natural gravel/sand.
Yep, peat moss and mulm
are recommended here
too.
Keep in mind these are
just my opinions based
on my experiences and
research. I hope this helps
you make your own deci-
sion about what substrate
to choose.
If you want more advice,
there are several large
aquatic plant specific
forums available with
many knowledgeable
people who are willing
to help. Do not assume
your questions are too
basic or stupid; everyone
cont. on page 28
Aquarium Society Rules of Acquisition
At all the society meetings, and especially the auctions,
I always felt a strange mood of nostalgic deja-vu. The
sub culture, the dealing, the general atmosphere. I’ve
seen it someplace before. It took a while, but I finally
figured it out. It was from a TV series some years ago.
Quark’s bar at Deep Space Nine.

I know you may be scoffing at this, but in addition to

all the weird creatures at the meetings (yes, some even
humanoid) they were always talking about the rules.
Let’s check those rules and see if they fit:

#3 Never pay more for an acquisition than you

have to.
#18 A MAS member without aquariums is no MAS
member at all.
#21 Never place friendship above fishkeeping.
#23 Nothing is more important than your health...
except for your aquariums.
#41 Aquariums are their own reward.
#89 Ask not what your aquariums can do for you,
but what you can do for your aquariums.
#97 Enough ... is never enough.
#109 Dignity and an empty aquarium is worth the
aquarium.
#117 You can’t free a fish from water.
#141 Only fools pay retail.
#218 Always know what you’re buying.
#239 Never be afraid to mislabel a product.

In addition to the Rules, there were the five Stages of

aquisition:
1. Infatuation
2. Justification
3. Appropriation
4. Obsession
5. Resale

Can there be any doubts?

- Dale Skiba

| 18 |
Newsletter Exchange Report
Recognition members to “Check it didn’t hesitate to think
out!”- “Cichlid Matters” ‘outside the tank’ and
Tim Rutz’s article, “Black
column by Bob Randall feed some night crawlers
Emperor Tetras Made
in the January/February that were left over from
Easy”, was REPRINTED
2006 issue of Aqua News. a fishing trip. He was
in the January/February
rewarded not only with
2006 issue of the South-
Bob’s “Cichlid Matters” fry, but also was able
western Michigan Aquari-
column in the Janu- to observe their unique
um Society’s SWAM.
ary/February 2006 issue spawning behavior.”
of Aqua News was also
Ken Balfanz’s article,
mentioned in the March Randy Carey’s article
“Linear Air Pump Cen-
2006 issue of the Greater about the Piaba Project
tral Air Systems”, was
Detroit Aquarium Soci- and Randy’s preparation
mentioned in the De-
ety’s Tropic Tank Talk and for travel to Brazil in the
cember 2005 issue of
the February 2006 issue January/February 2006 is-
Michiana Tropical Times,
of FIN FLAP. Marti Horan, sue of Aqua News as well
the Michiana Aquarium
EIAA’s Exchange Editor as Randy’s website, www.
Society Newsletter; was
commented, “His column characin.com/home.html
mentioned in the Janu-
is always an interest- were mentioned in the
ary/February 2006 issue
ing read.” Bob Randall’s February 2006 issue of
of SWAM; and was RE-
“well written” column, Fins & Tales. “The Piaba
PRINTED in the April 2006
“Cichlid Matters”, which Project” by Randy Carey
issue of the Eastern Iowa
“gives a good introduc- was also mentioned in
Aquarium Association’s
tion to the colour and the February 2006 is-
FIN FLAP. “Culturing Vin-
behaviour of Mbuna” sue of FIN FLAP and the
egar Eels” by Ken Belfanz
in the March/April 2006 March/April 2006 issue of
was mentioned in the
issue of Aqua News was SWAM.
October/November 2005
mentioned in the April
issue of Tank Topics, the
2006 issue of the Kitch- Richard J. Goodkind’s
official publication of The
ener-Waterloo Aquarium “excellent article that
Greater Akron Aquarium
Society’s Fins & Tales. This helps in the understand-
Society. And Ken’s article,
“Cichlid Matters” column ing of water chemis-
“Fish Tank Fry Boxes”,
by Bob Randall was also try and how it affects
was mentioned in the
mentioned in the March plants”, “How to Achieve
March 2006 issue of Mi-
2006 issue of Michiana a Flourishing Plant Tank”,
chiana Tropical Times.
Tropical Times. Pam Chin which was published in
mentioned Bob Randall’s the Volume 8 No. 2 issue
Bob Randall’s column
article in the May/June of the Aquatic Gardener
“Cichlid Matters”, about
2005 issue of Aqua News and can also be seen at
“Cichlasoma nigrofascia-
on Cyphotilapia which http://ww.aquatic-garden-
tum, the Convict Cichlid,
“starts out with a good ers.org/plant_tank_how_
as a beginners’ cichlid” in
explanation of the latest to.html was mentioned
the September/October
nomenclature changes in the February 2006
2005 issue of Aqua News
for this group of cichlids issue of FIN FLAP. “How
was mentioned in the
as well as the basics for to Achieve a Flourishing
November 2005 issue of
frontosa/gibberosa repro- Plant Tank” by Richard J.
FIN FLAP. In the Febru-
duction” under “Cichlids Goodkind was also men-
ary 2006 issue of Fins &
in the News” in the Feb- tioned in the February
Tales, Zenin Skomorows-
ruary/March 2006 issue of 2006 issue of Fins & Tales.
ki, Kitchener-Waterloo
the Pacific Coast Cichlid
Aquarium Society’s Ex-
Association’s CICHLIDAE Dani Ellickson’s “humor-
change Editor, told KWAS
communique. “...he ous story,” “My Name is

| 19 | cont. on page 20
Newsletter Exchange Report
Lucky!”, was mentioned
in the November 2005
issue of FIN FLAP.
“Discus- The Other Way”
by Paul Garrity was also
mentioned in the No-
vember 2005 issue of FIN
FLAP.
And Jenny Kruckenberg’s
“enthusiasm for her
‘Trip to the WAKO 25th
Annual Show’” in the
January/February 2006 is-
sue of Aqua News and at
her Aquaforums thread,
http://www.aquafo-
rums.com/forums/index.
php?showtopic=4539,
were mentioned in the
March/April 2006 issue of
SWAM.
Other News
Jim Mathis and I flew to
Newark Liberty Airport
and attended The Annual
Convention of the Ameri-
can Livebearer Associa-
tion, April 28th -30th, in
East Hanover, NJ. High-
light of the trip for me
was meeting and asking
Dr. Paul Loiselle questions
about the conservation
status of endemic fresh-
water fishes of Madagas-
car for about one and
one-half hours while visit-
ing the New York Aquar-
ium. Dr Loiselle showed
a room with tanks,
containing several spe-
cies of rainbowfishes and
killifishes from Madagas-
car, to a group of people
that included Jim and
me. Dr. Paul Loiselle also
showed a live specimen
of Paretroplus polyactis.
Having attended the last
two ALA Conventions
with Jim Mathis, I was
surprised this year to see
many more rare Xiphoph-
orus species which were
obtained from the Xi-
phophorus Genetic Stock
Center in San Marcos, TX.
At this ALA Convention,
I was also happy to learn
that a group of scientists
in Mexico City claim to
know a location where a
small population of Zoo-
goneticus tequila, a spe-
cies which was previously
thought to be extinct
in the wild, exists in the
wild. Other good news-
Kees de Jong, one of the
speakers at the conven-
tion, informed me that
Allodontichthys polylep-
sis, a Goodeid that is
likely extinct in the wild,
has been maintained by
aquarists in Europe for
20+ years. I was able to
acquire Girardinichthys
viviparus “Chapultepec
Park”, a Goodeid that is
critically endangered, and
Pachypanchax sakaramyi,
a critically endangered
Malagasy killifish, at
this convention. Being
a collector of books, I
was thankful to have the
opportunity to purchase
a copy of “Lebendge-
barende Zierfische”, a
rare German book on
livebearers, with dust
jacket in fine condition
from Mike Schadle. And
as always, it was a joy
| 20 |
to talk with and learn
from other friendly and
knowledgeable aquarists,
including Jim Langham-
mer, at the convention.
The East Coast Guppy As-
sociation held its Show in
the same hotel, the same
weekend as the ALA
Convention. I was not
surprised that New Jersey,
at one time, had the
highest male newborn
circumcision rate in the
United States after Bob
Larsen, “a mentor and
legend in the NJ hobby,”
who spoke about “Gup-
pies Then & Now” men-
tioned guppy breeders’
practice of cutting the
tails of male fish...Other
than, momentarily, being
reminded of humankind’s
cruelty to animals and
children, my two other
greatest disappointments
were no swimming pool
in hotel and $45 one-way
shuttle for two people
from airport to the hotel.
Jim Mathis was rec-
ognized with Century
Breeder award, having
bred over 100 species of
livebearers, at the ban-
quet. Jim also won Best
of Show-Goodeids with
a male Characodon sp.
“Guadalupe Aguilera”.
Be sure to congratulate
Jim when you see him
next. Also, note this is Jim
Mathis’ third year win-
ning Best of Show-Goo-
deids at the ALA’s Annual
Convention.
 Bowl Show Results
MINNESOTA AQUARIUM SOCIETY
August 2005
Class 1 True Bony Fishes (knife fish,
elephant nose, rainbows, gobies,
blennies, snakeheads, arowanas,
spiny eels, puffers, pipe fish)
1st Melanotaenia maccullochi,
common dwarf rainbowfish shown
by Dani Ellickson
2nd Glossolepis dorityi, location
Jaiquim shown by Jen Kruckenberg
3rd Iriatherina werneri, common
threadfin rainbowfish shown by
Dani Ellickson
Class 2 Pond Plants - maybe grown
emerged but roots have to be in
the pond
September 2005
Class 1 Killies - peat spawners
1st Nothobranchius korthausae, lo-
cation Rungungu TAN 02-11 shown
by Jen Kruckenberg
2nd Nothobranchius foerschi,
shown by Craig Rees
Class 2 Killies - mop spawners
1st Chromaphyosemion riggenba-
chi, location Dibeng shown by Jen
Kruckenberg
2nd Fundulopanchax marmoratus,
shown by Jen Kruckenberg
3rd Aplocheilicthys luxopthalmus,
common lampeye killie shown by
Milo Squires
October 2005
Class 1 Ugliest fish
1st Aplocheilus lineatus gold,
shown by Jen Kruckenberg
Class 2 Prettiest fish
1st Acanthicus adonis, common
polka dot lyretail pleco shown by
Tiff Severson
2nd Dario dario, common scarlet
badis shown by Carter McAninch
3rd Tateurndina ocellicauda, com-
mon peacock goby shown by Jen
Kruckenberg
(Class 1 and 2 to be determined by
membership vote)
November 2005
Class 1 African cichlids
1st Pundamilia nyererei, Makobe
Island shown by Jen Kruckenberg
2nd Aulonocara sp. “lwanda”,
common name redtop peacock
shown by Jen Kruckenberg
3rd Labeotropheus fuelleborni
shown by Dani Ellickson
Class 2 Non-African cichlids
1st Symphysodon aequifasciatus
axelrodi, Rio Alenquer shown by
Jen Kruckenberg
2nd Microgeophagus altispinosus
shown by Dani Ellickson
December 2005
Class 1 Plants grown aquarium
immersed
1st Vesicularia dubyana, java moss
shown by Jen Kruckenberg
Class 2 Red and green fish
1st Paracheirodon axelrodi, cardi-
nal tetra shown by Jen Kruckenberg
2nd Hemigrammus bleheri, rummy
nose tetra shown by Jen Krucken-
berg
January 2006
Class 1 Perch
1st Etheostoma spectabile, orange
throat darter shown by Jen Kruck-
enberg
2nd Badis badis shown by Milo
Squires
Class 2 Freshwater invertebrates
1st Atyopsis species, African wood
shrimp shown by Milo Squires
2nd Caridina japonica, amano
shrimp shown by Milo Squires
3rd Marisa rotula, red ramshorn
snail shown by Jen Kruckenberg
| 21 |
February 2006
Class 1 Smallest fish
1st Boraras brigittae shown by
Carter McAninch
1st Microsynodontis batesii,
African bumblebee shown by Jen
Kruckenberg
3rd Paracheirodon innesi, neon
tetra shown by Mike Harris
3rd Pseudepiplatys annulatus,
clown kille shown by Milo Squires
Class 2 Largest fish
1st Amphilophus citrinellus, midas
cichlid shown by Bob Randall
2nd Barbus filamentosus, black
spotted barb shown by Jen Kruck-
enberg
March 2006
Class 1 Labyrinth fish excluding
Betta splendens (aquarium strains)
1st Betta albimarginata, shown by
Peng Lee
2nd Microctenopoma ansorgii,
shown by Jen Kruckenberg
3rd Trichogaster leeri , pearl
gourami shown by Tiffany Severson
Class 2 Betta spendens (aquarium
strains)
1st shown by Susan MacMillan
2nd shown by Susan MacMillan
3rd shown by Jen Kruckenberg
Junior
1st shown by Amy Marvin
April 2006
Class 1 Livebearers (platys, guppies,
mollies, swordtails, half beaks, four
eyes, goodeids)
1st Phalloceros caudimaculatus
shown by Carter McAninch
2nd Xiphophorus montezumae,
Montezuma swordtail shown by
Sue MacMillan
3rd Poecilia reticulate, red guppy
shown by Jen Kruckenberg
Junior
1st Zoogoneticus tequila, crescent
goodeid shown by Brianna Harris
2nd Poecilia reticulate, guppy
shown by Brianna Harris
Class 2 Cyprinidae (sharks, gold-
fish, algae eaters, minnows, barbs,
danios, rasboras)
1st Boraras maculates, dwarf ras-
bora shown by Carter McAninch
2nd Barbus titteya, cherry barb
shown by Jen Kruckenberg
3rd Barbus tetrazona, tiger barb
shown by Mike Harris
Junior
1st Barbus conchonius, rosy barb
shown by Brianna Harris
May 2006
Class 1 South American catfish
1st Ancistrus punctatus, starlight
bristlenose pleco, L 182 shown by
Dani Ellickson
2nd Peckoltia ucayalensis, bola
pleco, L 146, L 232, LDA 30 shown
by Tiff Severson
3rd Hypancistrus sp. unknown,
queen arabesque pleco shown by
Dani Ellickson
Junior
1st Hypostomus punctatus, com-
mon pleco shown by Amy Marvin
Class 2 non South American catfish
No awards, exhibition only.
June 2006
Class 1 Loaches (includes botia)
Class 2 Characins (tetras, head-
standers, hatchet fish, pencil fish,
piranhas)
 Bowl Show 2006-07
MINNESOTA AQUARIUM SOCIETY
My name is Tiffany and I’m
taking over the bowl show.
Bob has moved on to run-
ning the big show this year
and I’ve stepped into his
shoes to run our monthly
little show. Many things
about our bowl show will
remain the same but a few
changes are in store. I’m
adding on a third class to
help promote the show. In
researching other clubs bowl
shows, I found that many
have a third class that seems
to be devoted to entertain-
ing the club members. I
thought it might be fun to
give it a try in our show. We
tend to have more entries
on our goofy classes, such as
the ugly/pretty fish and the
red/green fish than in our
other classes. Also thrown
into the mix will also be a
couple chances that ONLY
members under 18 can
have an entry in. If there is
enough adult interest the
over 18-ers can also play. I
am also adding in more
plant categories this year to
help draw some of you plant
growers into the fold.
It’s time to refresh some
interest in our club’s bowl
show. On average we have
five entries per month with
the same core group enter-
ing fish each month. I feel
like a telethon host saying
it, but here goes. My goal
this year is to have each
person bring one fish to one
meeting. Not one fish to
every meeting, but one fish
to one meeting in the year.
You can bring more, you’re
more than welcome to enter
five a month if you want to,
but please try to bring one.
This is your chance to show
off what you have without
any entry fees. It’s also a
good time to surprise people
by bringing in what people
never thought you’d have
or keep. *See the month of
June.
As always, the classes are
subject to change and any
input is appreciated and will
be taken into consideration.
If I see we are having a
speaker with a specialization
in an area that we have a
class for, I may switch some
months around so that we
can show the speaker we
do have an interest in that
area. Heck, I’ll add on an
extra class for the month if
need be. I’ve tried to set
it up where you have more
than one chance to bring a
fish in. For instance a Killie
that doesn’t make it in Sep-
tember could be brought in
October, December, Febru-
ary, or even April. The rules
regarding how to show the
fish will remain the same un-
less it is specified in the class.
As always, Have fun with
your tanks and keep on
fishin’.
Tiffany aka Saltydapleco
| 22 |
August 2006
Class I True Bony Fishes - (knife
fish, elephant nose, rainbows,
gobies, blennies, snakeheads,
arowanas, spiny eels, puffers, pipe
fish)
Class II Pond Plants - grown
emerged but roots have to be in
the pond
Class III Corydoras and Brochis
September 2006
Class I Killies - With enough entries,
this class will be split in to peat
and mop spawners.
Class II Characins - (tetras, head-
standers, hatchet fish, pencil fish,
piranhas
Class III Fish art - Photos, illustra-
tion, artwork, etc…It must have
been created by you. No time
frame except done at some point
after you were born. **
October 2006
Class I Ugliest Fish **
Class II Prettiest Fish **
Kids Class Decorate your bowl for
Halloween. Round bowls, sub-
strate and decorations are allowed.
At least one fish or invertebrate
must be present in tank to win.
Halloween/Harvest colored fish and
decorations are encouraged. All
“bowls” must be under five gallons
and not leaking (I say this because
I have fear one or more of you
might carve a pumpkin and try to
get a fish to live in it). **
November 2006
Class I Livebearers - (platys, gup-
pies, mollies, swordtails, half beaks,
four eyes, goodeids)
Class II Cyprinidae - (sharks, gold-
fish, algae eaters, minnows, barbs,
danios, rasboras)
Class III Anabantoids
December 2006
Class I Floating plants *
Class II Rooted plants *
Class III Red and Green fish. **
January 2007
Class I Old World Cichlids
Class II New World Cichlids
Class III Oddballs - Gobies, puffers,
and any other fish we don’t have a
bowl show class for.
February 2007
Class I South and Central American
Catfish
Class II Non-South American
Catfish
Class III Bowl Beautiful - Miniature
planted tank competition. All tanks
must be less than five gallons and
contain at least three varieties of
plants and two types of fish and or
invertebrates. This is an aquascap-
ing competition. Miniature species
are encouraged. **
March 2007
Class I Biggest Fish
Class II Smallest Fish (Fish must be
an adult. No fry allowed.)
Kids Class My favorite fish. Bring in
your favorite fish or two or three.
No species just one that you’re
REALLY fond of.
April 2007
Class I Egg layers, school or family
- Group of at least six fish, parents
plus six fry or a combination of six
adult and juvenile fish (If you are
showing juveniles with adults, you
can bag the juvies and BAP them
after the bowl show). *
Class II Livebearers, school or
family, Group of at least six fish,
parents plus six fry or a combina-
tion of six adult and juvenile fish.
(If you are showing juveniles with
adults, you can bag the juvies and
BAP them after the bowl show) *
Class III ...........................................
Freshwater invertebrates - Snails,
crabs, shrimps, etc… You may
also bring an amphibian ONLY if
it spends the majority of its time
underwater.
May 2007
Class I .............................................
cont. on page 28
 BAP BAPBAP
BAP BAP
I think most MAS regu-
lars will agree that the
75th anniversary Blitz
programs (BAP and HAP)
were successful. At every
meeting we had one or
two dozen bags of Blitz
submissions.
One reason I liked the
Blitz programs was that
it allowed us to return
to some species we’ve
bred or propagated
before – perhaps many
years earlier. These two
award programs aim to
introduce people to the
practice of breeding and
propagating. Unfortu-
nately, often a partici-
pant will focus so much
on points and “ranking”
that he stops working
with a species once he
successfully obtains a
spawn. OK, this is natural
if one is to be a regular
in BAP, but I feel a serious
breeder ought to find a
few species to work with
over several spawns.
When I researched the
expert breeders like Zu-
kal, Richter, et al, I read
between the lines and
realized three practices
Breeders Award Program
that seems to be missing
from many of us. [1] The
expert breeder is often a
witness and could de-
scribe the spawning act.
[2] The expert breeder
works with the species
over successive spawns.
[3] The expert breeder
can describe the devel-
opment of the offspring
from fry to viable adults.
Some argue that we
should try to socially en-
gineer the participants in
BAP. We should establish
rules that provide strong
incentive to pursue fish
breeding the way we
think they should. I’m re-
sistant to such intentions.
For one thing, who am I
to impose my perspective
of what is valuable about
fish breeding. I found
what I feel is valuable to
me, but those are often
different values from
what other hold. For a
second thing, I like simple
programs. Most people
like programs that are
easy to understand. Our
BAP point system is in-
credibly simple compared
to all that it covers. If we
try to socially engineer
| 23 |
them, then the rules
might expand like the tax
code.
I argue for simplicity of
the rules. And I argue
for simplicity of the
program’s intentions. The
point of the program is
to encourage members
to try breeding fish and
to try various species
and fish groups. Once
someone becomes a fish
breeder, he or she will
have to decide for him- or
herself just what kind of
breeder he or she will be.
Did you catch the poor
wording in the opening
of as my second para-
graph? I said the Blitz
“allowed us to return to
some species…” Baloney!
No one has been stop-
ping us from returning
to species we’ve bred
years ago. BAP prob-
ably got you started, but
don’t revere it so much
that it stops you. I hope
you still feel the thrill of
the spawn, even after all
those years.
Notes:
BAP will be holding a
BAP meeting open to
any MAS member. Here
is your chance to tell
what you like or don’t
like about BAP. We’ll
listen. Attendees are
welcome jump in and
debate – as long as the
banter stays pleasant J.
If you have some sugges-
tions or requests to bring
up, please email them
to me (Randy) at BAP-
program@TwoWetHands.
com. We’ll be announc-
ing the day, time, and
place via the email list.
If you want to get on
that list, email a request
to join it using mas-
admin@careytech.net.
The BAP committee is
preparing to debate
two issues: [1] what is
our criteria in accepting
non-fish species like snails
and shrimp (and should
we accept them), and
[2] how can we support
some form of species
maintenance program.
My thanks to Brent Hel-
land for bringing up spe-
cies maintenance at the
June meeting. It’s time
we at least discuss it.
cont. on page 24
 ►Species BAP’d in 2006◄
BAP BAPBAP BAP BAP
BAP BAP BAP BAP
BAP BAP
BAP BAP BAP BAP BAP BAP
Date Species Points
BAP BAP
BAP Ellickson, Dani
05/06 Poecilia wingei 10
05/06 Ancistrus punctatus L182 20
►BAP Rookie Breeder of the Year (2006)◄ 04/06 Moenkhausia pittieri 15
04/06 Sciaenochromis fryeri 10
Breeder Ends Points Spawns 04/06 Protomelas sp. steveni taiwan 10
04/06 Corydoras pygmaeus 15
Ellickson, Dani 03/2006 250 24 04/06 Trichogaster trichopterus 10
Johnston, Brian 02/2006 105 11 03/06 Pomacea bridgesii 5
Robb, Chad 03/2006 60 6 03/06 Neolamprologus multifasciatus 10
Benson, Brandon 01/2006 45 6 03/06 Zoogoneticus tequila 10
French, Will 12/2006 30 3 03/06 Protomelas taeniolatus 10
03/06 Poecilia reticulata 5
Hutchinson, Melissa 10/2006 15 2 03/06 Synodontis petricola 25
Carter, Bob 05/2006 15 2 01/06 Aulonocara stuartgranti, Ngara 10
Hansen, Kim 12/2006 10 1 01/06 Neolamprologus brichardi, Fulwe Rocks 10
01/06 Melanochromis joanjohnsonae 10
01/06 Labidochromis chisumulae 10
►BAP Rookie Breeder of the Year (2007)◄ 01/06 Bedotia geayi 15

Randall, Bob
Breeder Ends Points Spawns 06/06 Neolamprologus marunguensis 10
Macmillan, Sue 02/2007 45 5 06/06 Labidochromis caeruleus, “White Morph” 10
06/06 Haplochromis nubilus 10
05/06 Poecilia wingei 10
05/06 Archocentrus sajica 10
►Awards Earned in May and June 2006◄ 05/06 Pundamilia nyererei, Python Island 10
04/06 Callochromis pleurospilus 20
• Will French has earned the 25 Point Beginner Award. 04/06 Neolamprologus pulcher, Isanga 10
04/06 Geophagus sp. orange head tapajos 10
• Steven Morrison has earned the 250 Point Intermedi- 04/06 Pseudotropheus sp. acei, Nkhata Bay 10
ate Award. 04/06 Melanochromis joanjohnsonae 10
• Ron Hansen has earned the 750 Point Expert Award. 04/06 Neolamprologus hecqui 10
04/06 Pseudotropheus sp. acei, Tanzania 10
03/06 Thorichthys sp. blue mixteco 10
►BAP Breeder of the Year (2006)◄ 02/06 Geophagus sp. bahia red 10
02/06 Labeotropheus fuelleborni 10
01/06 Protomelas sp. steveni taiwan 10
Breeder Points Spawns 01/06 Pundamilia sp. crimson tide 10
Ellickson, Dani Spawns:18 Pts:210 01/06 Ptychochromis oligacanthus, Anjingo 15
Randall, Bob Spawns:19 Pts:205
Fries, Mike Spawns:8 Pts:85 Fries, Mike
Hansen, Ron Spawns:7 Pts:70 06/06 Apistogramma hongsloi 15
06/06 Melanotaenia lacustris 10
Sarslow, Anchor Spawns:4 Pts:65 05/06 Ataeniobius toweri 10
Smaciarz, Rich Spawns:4 Pts:60 04/06 Julidochromis transcriptus, Kissi
Chronakos, Tom Spawns:4 Pts:50 04/06 Melanotaenia boesemani 10
Macmillan, Sue Spawns:5 Pts:45 04/06 Archocentrus septemfasciatus 10
Morrison, Steven Spawns:3 Pts:35 04/06 Ancistrus sp. unknown 10
04/06 Chilatherina bleheri 10
French, Will Spawns:3 Pts:30
Mathis, Jim Spawns:2 Pts:25 Hansen, Ron
Balfanz, Ken Spawns:2 Pts:25 05/06 Maylandia hajomaylandi, Cobue 10
Ekstedt, Chuck & Rita Spawns:2 Pts:20 05/06 Haplochromis sp. golden duck 10
Hirsch, Jim Spawns:2 Pts:20 05/06 Thorichthys meeki 10
McAninch, Carter Spawns:2 Pts:20 05/06 Pseudotropheus sp. Msobo higga reef 10
05/06 Tramitichromis intermedius 10
Johnston, Brian Spawns:1 Pts:10 05/06 Oreochromis tanganicae 10
Kruckenberg, Jenny Spawns:1 Pts:10 05/06 Labeotropheus fuelleborni 10
Carter, Bob Spawns:1 Pts:10
Benson, Brandon Spawns:1 Pts:10 Sarslow, Anchor
Hansen, Kim Spawns:1 Pts:10 04/06 Carinotetraodon tra-
| 24 | cont. on page 25
 ►Species BAP’d in 2006◄ ►Species BAP’d in 2006◄

vancoricus 25 Carter, Bob

04/06 Melanotaenia parva 10 04/06 Xenotoca eiseni 10
03/06 Dario dario 15
02/06 Moenkhausia pittieri 15 Benson, Brandon
01/06 Puntius conchonius 10
Smaciarz, Rich
04/06 Neolamprologus tetracanthus 10 Hansen, Kim
03/06 Corydoras sp. red stripe 15 01/06 Archocentrus sajica 10
01/06 Ophthalmotilapia boops, Nkendwe 20
01/06 Corydoras pygmaeus 15
►BAP Standings as of June, 2006◄
Chronakos, Tom
05/06 Callochromis pleurospilus 20 Participant Points Spawns
04/06 Nimbochromis venustus 10 Carey, Randy 2590 191
03/06 Aulonocara stuartgranti, Cobue 10 Mathis, Jim 2055 189
01/06 Pseudotropheus flavus 10 Ancheta, Lenny 1350 112
Randall, Bob 1250 106
Macmillan, Sue Sarslow, Anchor 1190 96
06/06 Lamprologus ocellatus 10 Smaciarz, Rich 1170 85
04/06 Betta splendens 10 Nordby, Ken & Sharron 1100 93
04/06 Poecilia reticulata 5 Peterzen, Pete & Carol 1075 88
03/06 Xenotoca eiseni 10 Kruckenberg, Jenny 915 86
03/06 Ancistrus sp. unknown 10 Garrity, Paul 795 67
Hansen, Ron 785 66
MacNabb, Larry & JoAnne 780 70
Morrison, Steven
Swanson, Brad & Nancy 730 67
06/06 Poecilia wingei 10
Rees, Craig 655 62
04/06 Ptychochromis oligacanthus 15
Gromek, Tom 640 62
03/06 Geophagus crassilabris 10
Ruzek, Kenneth V. Jr. 630 54
Byers, LeeAnne 555 47
French, Will Nab Dahl, Barry 495 50
05/06 Aulonocara stuartgranti, Cobue 10 Scepurek, Terry 480 45
02/06 Pseudotropheus sp. polit 10 Hougen, Dean & Teague, Cynthia 465 40
01/06 Pterophyllum scalare 10 Fries, Mike 435 41
Jolivette, Kris & Ted 425 35
Mathis, Jim Ellickson, Dani 340 31
06/06 Neocordia denticulata 10 Squires, Milo 335 29
06/06 Characodon sp. Guadulope aquilaria 15 Berglund, Ken 320 29
Lowe, Jay 310 30
Balfanz, Ken Wilson, Zack 300 23
03/06 Melanotaenia parva 10 Chronakos, Tom 295 27
01/06 Glossolepis pseudoincisus 15 Weber, Robin 270 26
Morrison, Steven 250 22
Ekstedt, Chuck & Rita Marchan, Edward 245 23
04/06 Otopharynx lithobates 10 Nystrom, Steve 235 22
04/06 Tanichthys albonubes 10 Balfanz, Ken 230 19
Turley, Paul 225 14
Robertson, Terry 205 19
Hirsch, Jim
Heinen, Shane 205 19
06/06 Poecilia reticulata 5
Lucken, Robby 195 17
06/06 Melanotaenia duboulayi 15
Hallett, David W. 185 17
McAninch, Carter 180 17
McAninch, Carter Ekstedt, Chet 180 14
04/06 Hemichromis cristatus 10 Alegre, John N. 175 14
04/06 Phalloceros caudimaculatus 10 Engelking, Robin 160 13
Bradbury, Richard 150 14
Johnston, Brian Kalvig, Peggy 150 16
02/06 Pseudotropheus sp. acei 10 Ekstedt, Chuck & Rita 140 14
“Black Phase” Schoeler, Karl 135 14
Steffensen, Jerry & Shana 120 10
Kruckenberg, Jenny Hirsch, Jim 120 12
05/06 Aplocheilus lineatus “Gold” 10 Johnston, Brian 105 11
Stemper, John 95 10
Smith, Christopher

| 25 | cont. on page 26
 Bishop, Dava 35 4
►BAP Standings as of June, 2006◄ Rossa, Ron 35 4
French, Will 30 3
90 8 Rankins, Ted 20 2
Methven, Paul 90 5 Stowe, Chris 20 2
Routh, Bruce 85 8 Carlson, Jan 20 2
Mechtel, Chuck 65 7 Behler, David 15 1
Heyer, Jon 60 6 Carter, Bob 15 2
Robb, Chad 60 6 OGara, Debbie 15 1
Loh, Willie 60 4 Hutchinson, Melissa 15 2
Lowe, Mike 50 5 Helland, Brentt 10 1
Brobst, Curtis H. 50 5 Siegel, Bob 10 1
Philstrom, Richard K. 50 5 Lauer, Richard 10 1
Benson, Brandon 45 6 Hansen, Kim 10 1
Trembly, Lisa 45 5 Christopherson, Karen 10 1
Macmillan, Sue 45 5 Dale, Andrew 5 1
Meuret, Patrick 40 4 Doyle, Chris 5 1
Newton, Bruce 40 4

HAP
Bob Carter
Amy Honsey
►HAP New Members◄
Horticultural Award Program
10
10
10
5
5
Najas indica
Pistia stratiotes
Rotala indica
Vallisneria americana
Vesicularia dubyana
Melissa Hutchinson
Amy Honsey
Matt Proost 10 Phyllanthus fuitans
5 Vallisneria spiralis

►HAP New Awards◄ Melissa Hutchinson

10 Anubias barteri var nana (flowering)

Bob Carter – Beginning Aquatic Horticulturist Bob Paulsen

Matt Proost – Beginning Aquatic Horticulturist 10 Anubias barteri var nana (flowering)
Troy Brantner – Beginning Aquatic Horticulturist 10 Aponogeton crispus (flowering)
10 Rotala indica
5 Ceratopteris thalicroides

►HAP April and May 2006 Entries◄ Matt Proost

10 Blyxa japonica
Brent Aitchison 10 Hygrophila difformis
10 Hygrophila corymbosa 10 Limnophila aromatica
10 Lysimachia nummularia
David Behler 10 Mayaca fluviatilis
20 Anubias barteri var coffeafolia 10 Rotala rotundifolia
10 Ludwigia repens
Troy Brantner
Bob Carter 10 Microsorium pteropus
15 Cryptocoryne wendtii “Green” 5 Vallisneria americana
10 Hygrophila corymbosa 5 Vesicularia dubyana
5 Lemna minor

| 26 | cont. on page 27
 Chuck Mechtel 12 80
►HAP April and May 2006 Entries cont.◄
Barry Nab Dahl 85 980
Robert Fink Bruce Newton 3 20
5 Ceratopteris thalicroides S & K Nordby 13 105
15 Echinodorus ‘Ozelot’ Steve Nystrom 16 130
10 Echinodorus ‘Ozelot’ (flowering) Bob Paulsen 9 85
5 Hygrophila angustifolia Richard Pelkey 11 105
10 Hygrophila corymbosa Pete & Carol Peterzen 1 10
5 Hygrophila rosaeneruis
10 Lysimachia nummularia Richard Philstrom 69 800
10 Rotala rotundifolia Matt Proost 6 60
Sigrid Rademacher 18 175
Dennis Riebesell 27 300
►Standings thru May 2006◄ Terry Robertson 19 190
P & H Rosa 40 450
Name Entries Points Ron Rossa 3 15
Ken Ruzek 49 515
Brent Aitchison 10 85 Robin Ryan 6 55
Leonard Ancheta 16 180 Anchor Sarslow 51 550
Dat Au 5 45 Janet Sarver 14 150
Tyler Barth 2 20 Larry Scales 5 35
David Behler 42 455 Terry Scepurek 4 35
Jay Bickford 8 70 Cindy Schneider 6 50
Dava Bishop 1 5 Karl Schoeler 145 1730
Richard Bradbury 28 335 Gary Schultze 2 30
Troy Brantner 5 45 Rich Smaciarz 10 120
LeeAnne Byers 17 160 Milo Squires 103 1065
Bruce Cameron 34 365 John Stemper 30 315
Randy Carey 9 95 Jason Stevens 4 60
Jan Carlson 3 35 Chris Stole 3 25
Bob Carter 8 70 Geoff Stone 1 15
Pat Chowen 75 870 Brad Swanson 16 155
Andrew Dale 4 50 Brian Thinnes 5 50
Chuck Domeier 31 315 Jodi Tripp 1 10
Dennis Drews 6 35 Paul Turley 9 115
Charles ‘Chet’ Ekstedt 2 25 Robin Weber 1 10
Chuck Ekstedt 8 70
Lisa Ekstedt 11 85 ►2006 HAP Rookie of the Year Standings◄
Robin Engelking 26 255
Robert Fink 21 195 Name Points Start End
Will French 4 40
Paul Garrity 139 1475 *Robert Fink 125 3/05 2/06
Tom Gromek 13 115 Bob Paulsen 85 11/05 10/06
David Hallett 32 285
Bill Heaney 8 55 * = 1st year in HAP program completed.
Shane Heinen 38 390
Amy Honsey 2 15 ►2007 HAP Rookie of the Year Standings◄
C Teague & Dean Hougen 4 25
Melissa Hutchinson 1 10 Name Points Start End
Ted & Kris Jolivette 31 330
Peggy Kalvig 4 45 Bob Carter 70 4/06 3/07
Jenny Kruchenberg 17 155 Matt Proost 60 4/06 3/07
Robby Lucken 1 15 Troy Brantner 45 2/06 1/07
L & J MacNabb 16 120 Will French 40 3/06 2/07
Chad & Tina Mastbergen 22 175 Amy Honsey 15 4/06 3/07
Jim Mathis 66 725 Melissa Hutchinson 10 4/06 3/07
Carter McAninch 3 20 * = 1st year in HAP program completed.

| 27 | cont. on page 28
Participation Awards!
June ended the 10 month celebration of MAS’s 75th Congratulations to the three of you!
year and along with it ended the with the drawing of Just a note to show you could have won on very little
the Participation Awards work… None of the 3 winners had more than 20 entries
out of 550 to 600 individual participations.
The awards were granted as follows”
~Anchor
$50 – Awarded to Paul Garrity!
$100 – Awarded to Jim Mathis!
And the Grand Prize of $350 went to Tiffany Sever-
son!

Planted Aquarium Substrates, cont. from page

has started somewhere
and has probably had the
same question. There is
also the Minnesota Fish
Keepers forum at www.
minnfish.com. There are
many members of MAS
that are regular contribu-
tors there and are more
than willing to help if you keeping/breeding certain com for feedback be-
need it. You can get your types of fish. fore submitting them to
questions answered by Aquanews.
someone you can meet If time permits I will be
at the meetings or at the writing comprehensive
show. Maybe your knowl- follow-up articles on
edge can help someone starting a new-tank with
else? Like me, I regularly pictures and posting
have questions about them on www.minnfish.

Bowl Show 2006-07, cont. from page

Pikes and Perches - This class will
also include all native fish. This
is also a good reminder that the
Darter hunt is coming up.
Class II Pond fish - What fish you
will put in your backyard or patio
tub this summer?
Class III Aquarium Plants
June 2007
Class I I bet you never thought.
This is the “showoff /stupe the
other club members” class. Bring
in your fish that no one would
ever think you keep, or still keep.
Names will be posted of who is
participating separate from the
fish. Club members will try to
match the owner to the fish. The
owner with the least amount of
correct answers wins. More than
one entry per person is allowed.
(Hey Anchor, bring out some acei
you have stashed away!)
Class II Best of the Bowl Show
- Want to bring back your winner?
If your fish has gotten a bowl
show ribbon this year bring it back
for the bowl show version of the
playoffs.
Class III Fish art! - Photos, illustra-
tion, artwork, etc, it must have
been done by you. No time frame
except done at some point after
you were born. **
Kids Class To be determined.
* These classes will be combined
if there are not enough entries to
make up two classes.
** The winner of this class will be
voted on by the members of the
club present at the meeting,

HAP, cont. from page

►2007 Horticulturist of the Year Standings◄ ►Horticulturist BLITZ Final Standings◄

Points Plants Member Member Points

125 13 Robert Fink Anchor Sarslow 75+

70 8 Bob Carter Bob Randall 25
60 6 Matt Proost Brent Aitchison 75+
55 6 Bob Paulsen Dave Behler 75+
45 5 Troy Brantner Milo Squires 75+
40 4 Will French Randy Carey 75+
30 2 David Behler Matt Proost 75+
15 2 Amy Honsey Rich Smaciarz 10
10 1 Brent Aitchinson Robert Fink 75+
5 1 Melissa Hutchinson
| 28 |
 Membership application form

Minnesota Aquarium Society

P.O. Box 130483
Roseville, MN 55113-0016

http://www.mnaquarium.org

Todays Date__________________

Type of Membership: Method of Payment:

 Adult $15.00/Year Cash__________
 Family $15.00/Year Check #_______
 Junior $12.00/Year

The following information will not be used beyond the Minnesota Aquarium Society

Name: _____________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________

City:_______________ State: ________ Zip Code: ________

Home Phone: (______) _________ — ___________________

Email Address: ______________________________________

Are you Up to Date with your Membership?

| 29 |