Missouri Aquarium Society April 2007 Workshop recap by David Ramsey
The Missouri Aquarium Society had their annual workshop and auction April 21 & 22, 2007. I was invited to be one of the speakers on Saturday. The previous Thursday night I bagged up fish to take and donate to the club for their Sunday auction. I got up way too early Friday morning so I could get out of Atlanta before the traffic become too congested. It is almost a 600 mile drive. That is a long day with the backside in one position.
As I neared St. Louis, I called Charles and Sue Harrison to let them know I was getting close. They had invited me to stop by and see their fishroom. This was the first of many special treats that went along with this weekend. Charles is very well known as a good breeder of all kinds of killies. Touring his fishroom, I never realized how many other non-killie fish he works with. He has some really nice fish. Not too shabby with the plants either. He was busy bagging plants to take to the auction. He graciously took the time to show me all through his fishroom, and give me a demonstration of how he does water changes and refills tanks. His method of draining water is so simple and efficient, and portable, that I knew I was done carting buckets at my house. He also showed me the pumping system he has done for tgank refills. It is very similar to what people have described to me, but seeing it in action is the motivator for me. I put the tank draining part together on the Monday after the weekend. All I needed was a nice long no kink water hose and a big clamp. I already had the couple of other parts. I have bought the supplies I need to get the refill system put together this weekend. Last but not least, I also got to play with the Corgis for a few minutes. I have a definite soft spot for Corgis.
Next stop for Friday evening was over to Jost Chemical where Jerry Jost had so incredibly offered to host the event. I arrived at Jost Chemical shortly after 5 pm. Jerry let me in and showed me around. He has the finest planted aquariums I have ever seen. Two really big ones in the main lobby and a side area has more smaller ones. All are just percolating along looking fantastic. The streams of O2 coming off the plants is nonstop and everywhere. Tucked away in these tanks are some very happy fish.
This is one of two huge tanks in the main lobby.
