Local Planted Tank Club Interest?

[matpat]

After talking to a couple folks in the area I have been thinking about starting up a local plant club. The Planted Tank hobby is way behind the Freshwater Fish only, FOWLR, Reef and Saltwater communities in terms of knowledge and number of hobbyists involved. It is only through the power of hobbyists that we can increase the knowledge on planted tanks and availability of species to other hobbyists. The more planted tank clubs/hobbyists there are out there, the more voice we will have with manufacturers and the more products will become available specific to the Planted Tank hobby. This will only benefit us, the Planted Tank Community, in the long run.

I wanted to gauge interest in the idea and this forum is a good place to reach out to the local Planted Tank enthusiasts! I know the HAP program is out there but I have yet to make it to a meeting to check this out. Hoping to attend the May meeting to meet some folks and exchange some ideas!

I would be willing to hold the first “informal” meeting at my house in Centerville (near Dayton) for those who are interested. I’m located about a half an hour's drive north of the I-275/I-75 intersection, just off of the Route 48/Social Row Road intersection.

I tried to set up a Poll regarding this. Not sure if it will work or not. I am looking forward to your responses and possible names for the club. Any feedback would be appreciated!

Thanks,

[ACIDRAIN]

I know your intent and interests are good, but you need to look at the larger side. If you want to spread the knowledge about planted tanks and such, you should keep it within the GCAS club. As our club is one of the largest and strongest in the country! By breaking off and such, you just create a smaller group instead of one large one. And, there are many of the people in the club, that are highly dedicated to the GCAS, and though they would like to learn more about plants, they would not leave for a new club.

After you go to a meeting or two, you will see the high interest in plants, within the GCAS. But there are many reasons a separate club probably won't do very well. People don't have a lot of time these days, to do many different things. So they may only have time for one club. And many are committed to the GCAS. The thing is, many people are into just one or two particular things, like cichlids, or like planted tanks and fish that go with them, etc. But, they enjoy all the info and speakers that talk about all the other aspects of different fish keeping. Many move from one type of aquarium to another every couple years or so. For example, there are several people that joined the club, as pure cichlid lovers, and did not ever want to keep anything else. They now do livebears, and many others as well. That is the neat thing about being a member of such a diverse club, verses a specific type. You have a multitude of options, and won't have to join more clubs and such, to try them. Not sure if you know, but our club also has an MAP program, Marine Award Points. We try to cover all the bases within the fish keeping realm.

I do not say no to a planted tank club, I am just letting you know early that you may be disappointed at the out come of your poll.

We have a multitude of diversity when it comes to speakers as well. And, we try our best to satisfy any requests, for special types of speakers, as well as any specific speakers that people may be interested in seeing. If you take a look at our line up for speakers, you will see that we have them coming here from all over the world. That is a neat thing about having such a large club verses a small one, is we can do things to increase our savings, so as to bring in the big names and such. There is a forum for suggestions for speakers, and anyone can suggest a speaker they might like to see, specific or just general area such as plants. You can also look back at the line up over the years, and see all the diversity we have had in speakers; lighting, plants, native fish, killifish, salt water, specialized cichlid talks, all other types of fish, specialized to specific environments or bodies of water, specific land areas, etc. The list is a long one.

Personal history blurb; I laughed when I first heard about the GCAS about 20 years ago. Had 35 tanks, and did not think anyone was as crazy as I was. I laughed about the club about 15 years ago, when I heard about it again. Had about 50 tanks then. And about 8 or so years ago, I went to a meeting. Now have over 125 tanks (with plants in about 90% of them), 300+ different species of fish and water critters, and over 4000 fish! I HAVE NEVER MISSED A MEETING SINCE THE FIRST ONE I WENT TO!

[J.Sipes]

I think the concept is a great idea,but agree with Marc that it would not hold out long or the results will be less than you expect. Most people will simply attend the GCAS meetings...If we togther build the planted tank hobby through the GCAS we can educate and draw interest from everyone. I know several people in the club who are getting more and more into the planted tank aspect simply by suddle introductions to plants and catching a view of them in variuos homes they visit.

I believe because of the diversity within the club we do a great job with the planted tanks....With Tom Barr coming this year I know the interest will peak and more people will be responding to the HAP program and the planted tank world.

[matpat]

Acidrain, thank you for your well thought out response. This is exactly the type of response I was looking for. I know folks don't have a lot of time now days with children's activities, club meetings and other outside interests and I had hoped to see if there was interest in a Planted Tank only club. I barely have time to maintain my 3 planted tanks with a two year old running around but would be willing to sacrifice a little more of my time if there was interest in this.

My goals were not to compete with GCAS but see if there was interest in the Plant Specific side of the club. I was hoping for a more informal type club where us Plant Geeks could get together and exchange ideas. Maybe something similar to the Progressive Tank Tour for Planted Aquaria but on a monthly or less frequent basis. Nothing gets people going on Planted tanks like seeing a nice one in person. Something like this may well be covered in the monthly GCAS meetings but my ignorance prevails on this topic as I have yet to attend a meeting.

In the five years I was in Southern Maryland, I only met one person who was into planted tanks. In the five months I have lived here, I have had three people express interest in planted aquaria and I was curious if there were others out there. Maybe this topic will bring them out of their "lurker" status and get them posting!

I would still be interested in GCAS, just for the diversity you mentioned, and did not intend to break away from this club. I know John Sipes has put a lot of work into the HAP program and the last thing I would want is to take away from his work in any way. However, when searching for planted tank specific clubs/info before moving here, I did not find much info out there. The home pageon this site really doesn't mention anything about the Planted side. I would like to thank Klaus for pointing me in this direction or I would still not have found this site!

I may be one of the few Planted Tank nuts that are interested in the plants mainly and the fish secondarily. I would llike to know if there are others out there also. I do realize there are folks out there who are interested in all aspects of Aquaria and a specialized club would not be in their interest. However, I myself do not have much interest in Cichlids or breeding fish for that matter Not to say I won't have in the future...however, since seeing my first planted tank in person over ten years ago, I have wanted to keep one! Since maintaining one, I do not have the desire to keep a tank that is not loaded with plants. Unfortunately, this leaves little room for fish, especially most Cichlids

I have seen the list of topics for the meetings and I am interested in Klaus' North American Natives topic as well a Tom Barr's topic (of course). I would have been interested in John Janda's Acrylic fabrication topic as well if I had found this site sooner!

Again, I am just hoping to gauge interest in this.

[matpat]

I think the concept is a great idea,but agree with Marc that it would not hold out long or the results will be less than you expect.

The only realistic expectation I have from a Plant Club is a chance to get together with others who enjoy this side of the hobby as much as I do. Whether meetings are held monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly, it would be nice to swap ideas, plants, and general BS about this side of the hobby with others who enjoy it. If it were to grow into anything more than this I would be tickled!

If we togther build the planted tank hobby through the GCAS we can educate and draw interest from everyone..

That is very true! GCAS would have a bigger target audience and the availibility of more members to introduce to this side of the hobby. I am just making the assumption that there may be others out there who would be interested in a plant specific club. There are many springing up around the country, some starting with very few members and growing rapidly as more folks get introduced to this side of the hobby.

Six months ago I think there were only three Plant Specific Clubs listed on Aquatic Plant Central. GWAPA, SFBAAPS, and DFWAPC. Five new Plant Clubs have "sprouted" since then I'm sure the other Plant sites have had an increase in local clubs also. Nothing like free advertising on Plant Related Sites that are sponsored by Plant Related Sponsors to get interest going in planted tanks!

I know several people in the club who are getting more and more into the planted tank aspect simply by suddle introductions to plants and catching a view of them in variuos homes they visit.

That was exactly what I was thinking when I replied to Acidrain's post. It would be nice to have a Progressive Planted Aquaria Tour. Unfortunately, most folks with planted aquaria do not have a "Plantroom" so to speak. It is just too labor intensive to maintain a lot of planted tanks and would not be a good thing for a tour type setting. That is where having monthly meetings at different folks houses would come into play. Most planted tanks have to be seen to be appreciated. Pictures just don't do them justice.

I believe because of the diversity within the club we do a great job with the planted tanks....With Tom Barr coming this year I know the interest will peak and more people will be responding to the HAP program and the planted tank world.

Having Tom Barr come and speak was what made me decide to go the membership route before even attending a meeting! Even if that is the only meeting I attend for the whole year, I will get my $10 worth just by attending that one meeting. It will be nice to be able to thank him in person for all of the help he has given to me and to this hobby.

[Jack W]

I think a plant Discussion Group within the GCAS is great idea. The shared knowledge about this fringe aspect of our hobby will only make a great club better and stronger. I would jump at the chance to meet with other plant geeks to see their setups and get ideas about aquascaping and equipment.
I don't look at this as splintering the GCAS. I look at it as increasing the information database that we all can draw from.
In the short while that I have known Matt he has helped me over some technical hurdles that have greatly increased my plant keeping abilities and reduced my learning curve time (I know what NO3 is now . I'm sure there are others that would benefit and welcome the help and encouragement that a plant dedicated discussion group would offer.
Besides, I like the idea of trading plant "frags".

Jack

[ACIDRAIN]

a plant Discussion Group within the GCAS is great idea

"Within" being the important word. I was thinking the same thing. I think this would be a great idea. If anyone is interested, I think they should talk with Mark M. (the prez) about how to go about setting this up.

[matpat]

As suggested by Acidrain, I sent Mark an e-mail on this. If you are interested in the Planted Aquaria side of this hobby, please let us know by posting!

Even if you're not interested let everyone know!

If you would prefer not to post, feel free to PM me or send me an e-mail. Thanks to those who already have!

Thanks

[ucinn]

I would be very interested in this. I have a 30 gallon cube planted. This is my 5th aquarium and only my 2nd planted aquarium and I'm sure there is still much for me to learn and some fantastic ideas that others know about to make mine even better.

[Robin]

Hey Matt,

I am always open for new things to do with aquariums and as you know I am interested in the planted side as well as fish.....I love the way the planted aquariums look and will most certainly be up for any seminar or meeting with the planted aquariums. I don't think it will take away from the club I think it would inhance it and maybe even interest more folks. I wonder though, is there a group or society up in the Dayton area that might be interested in what you have to share? I like the idea just agree with most that time is of the essence which most of us don't have and would be a factor.

There are many club members that keep planted tanks or some that want to (ME) and are looking for ideas, money saving tips, and for those with money to blow...lol, that obviously are interested and I do know that Tom Barr?..I think that is right, will be here but will his input be enough to satisfy....

Just my 3 cents worth

Robin

[jrings]

Count me in. I would love to pick your brains about getting involved more with planted tanks. Swapping stuff is always better than buying stuff!!

[jonathan]

As suggested by Acidrain, I sent Mark an e-mail on this.

What did Mark say?

[matpat]

He gave me his number and told me to give him a call this week sometime. I have not had the time to do so yet. It is next to impossible to carry on an adult conversation with a 2 year old running around Hopefully I will be able to call him by Friday. If not I will e-mail him again and see if next week will work for the call!