Saturday 5th April 2008 saw the most successful UKAPS meet yet, hosted by The Green Machine.
A wholehearted thanks to all involved - Jim and Mark for the warm reception and wonderful hospitality throughout the day, Andy and Elaine for their inspirational talk and biotope aquascape display. Thanks also to all UKAPS members who made to trip and helped to make the day the success it was.
I am sure all participants will agree it was very significant day for UKAPS, The Green Machine and most importantly, the planted tank and aquascaping hobby. A true “win win†scenerio.
Here are a few photo journal-style highlights of the event, including the small gathering at Graeme’s lovely house at the end of the day. I hope it gives you an idea of how well the day went.
Starting with Andy Mack’s lectures and aquascaping display…
Andy gives a comprehensive talk on a host of subjects including sustainability with reference to the collecting of hardscape materials, geology (strata etc.), composition, plant selection, rock positioning, gravel choices, water purity (RO vs. tap, dangers of fluoride etc.)
Graeme, Daniel and Andy
The step-by-step biotope aquascape created by Andy with assistance from his lovely wife, Elaine.
1. Gravel already installed. Base layer of Tropica stuff topped with Unipac Zambezi and Andy’s collected gravels
2. Initial stones arranged
3. Almost complete stone layout
4. Filling slowly with water
5. After water filling. Note the excellent layout of the gravels and stones...
6. Some of the high quality Tropica plants used for the display - Cryptocoryne balansae, C. parva, C. wendtii 'Green' and 'Brown', Microsorium pteropus
7. Andy planting with tweezers after me convincing him they were less messy to use than fingers! He later switched to UKAPS long angled tweezers
8. Fully planted with Redmoor wood added. Water still cloudy unfortunately
9. Full tank shot - very impressive for an 'instant' aquascape
Now for some in-shop photos...
Small selection of the Redwood available and some of the immaculate fish sale tanks
My favourite - an 8 foot Iwagumi
Iwagumi from behind - my prefered perspective...
Jungle Massive!!
The 10 footer that nearly ended Jim's marriage when it turned up at his home!!
One of a few off-the-shelf displays
A 35 litre Arc Tank set up by Graeme
Dan and Graeme enjoying themselves...
Most of the UKAPS members that made the visit. Apologies to those I missed.
Back row, left to right -
Garuf, John (John Starkey), Daniel (Daniel19831123), Clark (Superman), Lisa (Lisa_Perry75), Sam (Themulous), Mark (Arana), Steve (DevUK), Chrissi (Ulster Exile)
Front row, UKAPS Founders -
Graeme Edwards, me, Dan Crawford
And finally a few shots from the end of the evening, taken in Graeme's home
Folk chatting around Graeme's main tank
John admiring Graeme's 8 litre nano
Lisa multitasking - photographing whilst eating pizza
And as if some of us hadn't drank enough during the day...
Cheers!
A wholehearted thanks to all involved - Jim and Mark for the warm reception and wonderful hospitality throughout the day, Andy and Elaine for their inspirational talk and biotope aquascape display. Thanks also to all UKAPS members who made to trip and helped to make the day the success it was.
I am sure all participants will agree it was very significant day for UKAPS, The Green Machine and most importantly, the planted tank and aquascaping hobby. A true “win win†scenerio.
Here are a few photo journal-style highlights of the event, including the small gathering at Graeme’s lovely house at the end of the day. I hope it gives you an idea of how well the day went.
Starting with Andy Mack’s lectures and aquascaping display…
Andy gives a comprehensive talk on a host of subjects including sustainability with reference to the collecting of hardscape materials, geology (strata etc.), composition, plant selection, rock positioning, gravel choices, water purity (RO vs. tap, dangers of fluoride etc.)
Graeme, Daniel and Andy
The step-by-step biotope aquascape created by Andy with assistance from his lovely wife, Elaine.
1. Gravel already installed. Base layer of Tropica stuff topped with Unipac Zambezi and Andy’s collected gravels
2. Initial stones arranged
3. Almost complete stone layout
4. Filling slowly with water
5. After water filling. Note the excellent layout of the gravels and stones...
6. Some of the high quality Tropica plants used for the display - Cryptocoryne balansae, C. parva, C. wendtii 'Green' and 'Brown', Microsorium pteropus
7. Andy planting with tweezers after me convincing him they were less messy to use than fingers! He later switched to UKAPS long angled tweezers
8. Fully planted with Redmoor wood added. Water still cloudy unfortunately
9. Full tank shot - very impressive for an 'instant' aquascape
Now for some in-shop photos...
Small selection of the Redwood available and some of the immaculate fish sale tanks
My favourite - an 8 foot Iwagumi
Iwagumi from behind - my prefered perspective...
Jungle Massive!!
The 10 footer that nearly ended Jim's marriage when it turned up at his home!!
One of a few off-the-shelf displays
A 35 litre Arc Tank set up by Graeme
Dan and Graeme enjoying themselves...
Most of the UKAPS members that made the visit. Apologies to those I missed.
Back row, left to right -
Garuf, John (John Starkey), Daniel (Daniel19831123), Clark (Superman), Lisa (Lisa_Perry75), Sam (Themulous), Mark (Arana), Steve (DevUK), Chrissi (Ulster Exile)
Front row, UKAPS Founders -
Graeme Edwards, me, Dan Crawford
And finally a few shots from the end of the evening, taken in Graeme's home
Folk chatting around Graeme's main tank
John admiring Graeme's 8 litre nano
Lisa multitasking - photographing whilst eating pizza
And as if some of us hadn't drank enough during the day...
Cheers!