Greater Seattle Aquarium Society

We are incredibly lucky to have Bart Laurens as our May speaker -- shedding light on the topic of Dutch Aquascaping, a classic aquarium planting style that predates Nature Aquarium by decades. Normal room (SPU, Otto-Miller Hall 109), normal time (6:30 social/setup, 7:30 meeting start).

Bart Laurens started his first aquarium at the age of 8, and became a member of the Dutch aquascaping organization N.B.A.T. at age 10. His specialty is Dutch Aquascaping, as typified by his ten-foot-long 260-gallon award-winning aquarium.

Bart has given 40 presentations in The Netherlands, and maintains a website about his hobbies. He has also worked with terrariums, breeding reptiles, amphibians and insects. He is also an enthusiastic photographer.

We will also have a small monthly auction, if you couldn't get enough of the recent April blowout!

Here we go again Seattle... One of the largest aquarium societies in the country is having their largest event of the year. The annual General Auction is scheduled for April 22 at the West Seattle Christian Church, 4400 42 Ave SW. There is nothing related to the aquarium hobby you won’t be able to find at this event. Last year we had a blast and so far this year it is shaping up to be even bigger. Check out our Facebook page for all updates and photos of just a sampling of what will be at the auction. This is one event that you will not want to miss.

There is plenty of free parking both on-street and in nearby lots. Registration starts at 9AM and we start the auction at 10AM. We don’t stop until everything is gone at around 4PM. So come out for a few minutes or stay all day and see what great items you can get for a bargain.

We have new items donated by both the local sponsor stores and major aquatic companies. Our members bring amazing items that they have collected over their years of aquarium keeping that are considered treasures in the hobby. Come on out and don’t let that deal of the year slip past you.

You can even help out by printing out one of the five collectible posters, and hanging them on local boards that allow it.

Short version: March 14th, 7:30 PM, SPU Otto-Miller Hall 109, Home Show Video, Judging and Awards!

You've been hearing the hype for months, now come see the show -- Our panel of judges and photographers invaded eight homes in the Puget Sound area. At our next meeting, we will present a 45-minute video of it all, followed by an awards presentation of the best aquariums. If this is the first time you've seen a home show, take a look at last year's video.

Here is a quick commercial for the meeting:

As always, following the presentation, we will have our monthly auction.

Tuesday, February 14, 7:30 PM meeting start, usual meeting location Otto-Miller Hall, SPU.

We are excited to have plant luminary Tom Barr (pictured in photo examining plants in Lake Washington) once again visit us from Sacramento California! Owner of the Barr Report website, promoter of EI fertilization, supplier of those excellent mystery stem plants at the November auction, and creator of excellent large aquascapes, Tom will speak this time around on Care of Aquatic Plants. Whether it's the critical element of trimming, or the essentials of CO2, Tom will no doubt have tons of advice how to keep your plants in top shape.

A big thanks to everyone who participated in our big plant auction this month... Florida Aquatic Nurseries, who gave us hundreds of dollars worth of free plants, Wholesale Fish and Pets who gave us a nice discount on our order and included some freebie tissue culture bags, Aquarium Zen who spontaneously donated some new and unusual species, and the mysterious new Member #1160 who donated all the items she brought.

Thanks also to auctioneer Phil and his record time of 2.85 items per minute, our crack team of recorders, registrar, preview entry kids, and runners.

Finally, thanks to all of you who came and purchased things. We are hoping to have two very cool plant speakers next year to make up for the recent drought on the topic.