Upcoming Events
Biotope Aquascape Demo
CAPS MEETING - April 27th FROM 1:00 - 3:00 PM CST
Hanover Park Branch Library, 1266 Irving Park Rd, Hanover Park, IL 60133
The Chicago Aquatic Plant Society welcomes guest speaker Melanie Holmes, she will give a presentation titled "Biotope Aquascapes" and then lead a captivating live aquascaping Demo.
Melanie was raised in Wuerzburg Germany, nurse by trade, lover of all things blackwater and botanicals. Having always been drawn to nature style aquariums she finds inspiration not only from research but from hours spent outside. She has truly fallen in love with blackwater / botanical style aquascaping not only for its beauty but also due to its undeniable benefits and the world it creates within.
https://www.aquascapeguide.com/post/blackwater-aquascaping-with-melanie-holmes-the-queen-of-blackwater
**Completed demo scape consisting of a rimless UNS tank and hardscape will be raffled off to one lucky winner! Must be present in person at the time of the drawing to win**
CAPS also hosts free plant trading and a giveaway raffle for all in-person attendees at the meeting (must be present to win the raffle). Bring your plant clippings to trade and get your aquatic plants or aquascaping questions answered!
If you are a paid member and interested in borrowing a book or the PAR meter from our CAPS library please contact Beth Lang at librarian@chicagoaquaticplants.com. You can pick it up at our next meeting or we can make other arrangements.
Remember to sign-up on our website to receive monthly newsletter emails about our future events.
Mark your calendar for these future events:
May 19th - 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM - CAPS Wabi Kusa Workshop - Friendship Park Conservatory, 395 W Algonquin Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60016
Wabi Kusa Workshop 2024
At our workshop you will learn how to create the substrate ball, how to plant the ball, and how to maintain these small gardens over time. We supply all the materials, including plants, to create your own wabi-kusa. RSVP is required to attend.
You must be a paid member to participate.
Mark your calendar:
September 22nd - 9:30am - 1:00pm - GCCA swap meet, Hilton Northbrook 2855 N. Milwaukee Ave. Northbrook, IL.
Water Chemistry For The Planted Aquarium
CAPS MEETING - Saturday June 22nd From 1:00 - 3:00 PM CST
The Chicago Aquatic Plant Society’s Michelle Conrey will be giving a presentation titled "Water Chemistry For The Planted Aquarium". In this talk you’ll learn how to find and interpret your water chemistry report, set targets for your water parameters, use additives to achieve those parameters, troubleshoot CO2, and keep your plants and fish happy! Understand what is in your water, what your plants and fish want in your water, and why?
Michelle Conrey has been a planted aquarium keeper and enthusiast for more than 30 years. Her MTS (Multiple Tank Syndrome) started in her gap year before university, when she picked up a job managing the care and maintenance of 40 or so fish tanks in her local pet store. After completing an undergrad degree in plant physiology and biochemistry, Michelle instead pursued a career in business, allowing her to fully apply her love for plants and plant science to her hobbies. She is currently the proud maintenance-slave to more than half dozen planted ‘high-tech’ tanks.
This will be a hybrid meeting so anyone can attend in person or via Zoom. The meeting will be from 1-3pm CST on June 22nd at the Deerfield Public Library. 920 Waukegan Rd, Deerfield, IL 60015 or you can attend via ZOOM.
CAPS also hosts free plant trading and a giveaway raffle for all in-person attendees at the meeting (must be present to win the raffle). Bring your plant clippings to trade and get your aquatic plants or aquascaping questions answered!
Remember to sign-up on our website to receive monthly newsletter emails about our future events.
Mark your calendar for these future events:
Stay tuned for more info!
GCCA Tropical Fish Swap Meet
April 7th - GCCA swap meeteet, Hilton Northbrook 2855 N. Milwaukee Ave. Northbrook, IL.
Mark your calendar for these future events:
April 4th - 7th - AGA Convention - Hilton Raleigh North Hills, 3415 Wake Forest Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609
April 27th - 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM - CAPS Meeting - Biotope Aquascapes - Hanover Park Branch Library, 1266 Irving Park Rd, Hanover Park, IL 60133
May 19th - 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM - CAPS Wabi Kusa Workshop - Friendship Park Conservatory, 395 W Algonquin Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60016
Aquatic Gardeners Association Convention 2024 Raleigh, NC
Aquatic Gardeners Association 2024 Convention
Hosted by the Raleigh Aquarium Society
Mark your calendars for April 4th - April 7th.
There will be workshops, live aquascaping demos, an incredible auction, and so much more. You will also have the opportunity to participate in one workshop (as long as slots remain open), the aquarium and supplies you take home from either workshop more than make up for the cost!
There will also be a field trip to the Juniper Level Botanic Garden where you can mingle with like-minded aquarium plant nerds from around the world!
Registration is now open, please visit the AGA website to register!
Algae and Strategies for control
CAPS MEETING - Sun March 17th FROM 1:00 - 3:00 PM CST
The Chicago Aquatic Plant Society’s Bailin Shaw will give a presentation titled "Algae And Strategies For Control".
The presentation will explore the different types of algae found in our tanks, what are the root causes for those types of algae, and strategies on how to mitigate and clear your tank of the problem. The presentation will also hit on how nutrients, lighting, maintenance, and other factors can lead to algae. We will have a Live Q&A answering all your tank algae
CAPS also hosts free plant trading and a giveaway raffle for all in-person attendees at the meeting (must be present to win the raffle). Bring your plant clippings to trade and get your aquatic plants or aquascaping questions answered!
If you are a paid member and interested in borrowing a book or the PAR meter from our CAPS library please contact Beth Lang at librarian@chicagoaquaticplants.com. You can pick it up at our next meeting or we can make other arrangements.
Remember to sign-up on our website to receive monthly newsletter emails about our future events.
Mark your calendar for these future events:
April 4th - 7th - AGA Convention - Hilton Raleigh North Hills, 3415 Wake Forest Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609
April 27th - 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM - CAPS Meeting - Biotope Aquascapes - Hanover Park Branch Library, 1266 Irving Park Rd, Hanover Park, IL 60133
May 19th - 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM - CAPS Wabi Kusa Workshop - Friendship Park Conservatory, 395 W Algonquin Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60016
GCCA Tropical Fish Swap Meet
February 25th - GCCA swap meet, Hilton Northbrook 2855 N. Milwaukee Ave. Northbrook, IL.
Mark your calendar for these future events:
March 17th - 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM - CAPS Meeting - Algae and strategies for control - Fountaindale Public Library 300 W Briarcliff Rd, Bolingbrook, IL 60440.
April 4th - 7th - AGA Convention - Hilton Raleigh North Hills, 3415 Wake Forest Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609
April 27th - 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM - CAPS Meeting - Biotope Aquascapes - Hanover Park Branch Library, 1266 Irving Park Rd, Hanover Park, IL 60133
May 19th - 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM - CAPS Wabi Kusa Workshop - Friendship Park Conservatory, 395 W Algonquin Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60016
Live Aquascaping Demo by Luis Navarro
Live Aquascaping Demo
** RSVP is required for paid members **
This event will include an aquascpaing demo by famous aquascaper Luis Navarro. The event is generously sponsored by Seachem.
The meeting will be between 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM on Saturday, February 17th, 2024, and will be located at Zooaxe, 222 Dundee Ave, Elgin, IL 60120.
Our meetings are also family friendly, so feel free to bring the kids and get your aquatic plant or aquascaping questions answered!
Mark your calendar for these future events:
Sunday February 25, 2024 - 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM GCCA Tropical swap meet - Click here for more info!
Principles Of Aquascaping
Principles Of Aquascaping
The presentation will go over basic design and layout principles to guide novice aquascapers on how to create an attractive aquascape that can be easily set up and maintained over time. The presentation will describe various “tricks of the trade” used by expert aquascapers when setting up an aquascape and will describe the various styles popular in the hobby today.
The meeting will be between 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM on Saturday, January 20th, 2024, and will be located at the Deerfield Public Library, 920 Waukegan Rd, Deerfield, IL 60015. Our meetings are also family friendly so feel free to bring the kids as well.
CAPS also hosts free plant trading and a giveaway raffle for all in-person attendees at the meeting (must be present to win the raffle). Bring your plant clippings to trade and get your aquatic plants or aquascaping questions answered!
Mark your calendar for these future events:
Sunday February 25, 2024 - 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM GCCA Tropical swap meet - Click here for more info!
GCCA Tropical Fish Swap Meet
January 7th - GCCA swap meet, Hilton Northbrook 2855 N. Milwaukee Ave. Northbrook, IL.
Mark your calendar:
Stay tuned for more info!
Holiday Party 2023
-CAPS 2023 HOLIDAY PARTY – FOR PAID MEMBERS ONLY, SATURDAY Dec 16th FROM 5:00 – 8:00 PM – RSVP REQUIRED -
Friendship Park Conservatory, 395 W Algonquin Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60016
The annual Chicago Aquatic Plant Society Holiday Party will be on Saturday Dec 16th from 5:00 – 8:00 PM at the Friendship Park Conservatory at 395 W. Algonquin Rd., Des Plaines, IL. CAPS will be providing a catered buffet-style dinner. Paid members may bring one guest. Chilled beer and wine will be available for purchase. Paid members will be receiving an email with a link to RSVP for the event. We cordially ask that you RSVP no later than Tuesday, December 12th.
In addition to the food and festivities, CAPS will also be having a huge silent auction to raise funds for CAPS to continue our programs in 2024. Many items have been donated by our sponsors with a full list of items to be posted later. If you are interested in donating something for the silent auction, please message Jo Ann Fujii directly.
We will also have a Free Stuff Table so bring your used but working aquarium items. If you would like to become a paid member and join us for the Holiday Party, use the link below and sign up on our website: http://www.chicagoaquaticplants.com/join/
Looking forward to seeing everyone at the party! Come out for a great time, great food, and to support CAPS!
Planted Dwarf Shrimp Tanks
The next Chicago Aquatic Plant Society meeting will include a presentation titled, “Planted Dwarf Shrimp Tanks.” The presentation will cover basic dwarf shrimp care, low tech plant care, and how to create the balance that optimizes both shrimp and plants. The meeting will be between 1:00 - 3:00pm on November 11th and will be located at the Des Plaines Public Library. 1501 Ellinwood St, Des Plaines, IL 60016. We are in meeting room A. Our meetings are also family friendly so feel free to bring the kids as well.
CAPS also hosts free plant trading and a giveaway raffle for all in-person attendees at the meeting (must be present to win the raffle). This time around we will have SHRIMP included in the raffle! Bring your plant clippings to trade and get your aquatic plants or aquascaping questions answered!
Mark your calendar for these future events:
Saturday December 16, 2023 - 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM CAPS 2023 Holiday Party for paid members, RSVP required - Click here for more info!
GCCA Tropical Fish Swap Meet
October 22nd - GCCA swap meet, Hilton Northbrook 2855 N. Milwaukee Ave. Northbrook, IL.
Mark your calendar:
Stay tuned for more info!
Fauna for the planted tank
The October Chicago Aquatic Plant Society meeting will include a presentation titled, "Fauna for the planted tank" by Bailin Shaw. This will be a HYBRID meeting so anyone can attend via Zoom or in person. The meeting will be from 3-5 pm CST on October 15th.
CAPS also hosts free plant trading and a giveaway raffle for all in-person attendees at the meeting (must be present to win the raffle). Bring your plant clippings to trade and get your aquatic plants or aquascaping questions answered!
Mark your calendar for these future events:
October 22nd 9:30 am – 1:00 pm GCCA Swap Meet, Chicago Hilton Northbrook
New and Popular Aquatic Plants of the Hobby: Propagation and Care
The September Chicago Aquatic Plant Society meeting will include a presentation titled, "New and Popular Aquatic Plants of the Hobby: Propagation and Care" by Bailin Shaw and Matt Kowalczyk. This will be a HYBRID meeting so anyone can attend via Zoom or in person. The meeting will be from 2-4pm CST on September 23rd.
CAPS also hosts free plant trading and a giveaway raffle for all in-person attendees at the meeting (must be present to win the raffle). Bring your plant clippings to trade and get your aquatic plants or aquascaping questions answered!
Mark your calendar for these future events:
October 22nd 9:30 am – 1:00 pm GCCA Swap Meet, Chicago Hilton Northbrook
Tips and tricks for the planted tank
The August Chicago Aquatic Plant Society meeting will include a presentation titled, "Tips and Tricks for Planted Tanks". This will be a HYBRID meeting so anyone can attend via Zoom or in person. The meeting will be from 2-4pm CST on August 19th.
CAPS also hosts free plant trading and a giveaway raffle for all in-person attendees at the meeting (must be present to win the raffle). Bring your plant clippings to trade and get your aquatic plants or aquascaping questions answered!
Mark your calendar for these future events:
September 17th 9:30 am – 1:00 pm GCCA Swap Meet, Chicago Hilton Northbrook
Habitats, fish and aquatic plants of the Pantanal Wetlands
'Habitats, fish and aquatic plants of the Pantanal Wetlands by Tai Strietman'
Tai has spent many hundreds of hours exploring the rivers, streams, lakes, flooded meadows and forests and swamps of the Pantanal wetlands in Brazil. In this talk he will provide an overview of the habitats, fish and plants, especially those of interest to aquarium enthusiasts. He will also provide guidance on how to create your own 'Pantanal planted display' and tips and suggestions on setting up natural-style aquaria in general.
CAPS also hosts free plant trading and a giveaway raffle for all in-person attendees at the meeting (must be present to win the raffle). Bring your plant clippings to trade and get your aquatic plants or aquascaping questions answered!
Mark your calendar for these future events:
August 19 - Tips And Trick for Planted Tanks. Des Plaines Public Library 2-4 pm CST. 1501 Ellinwood St, Des Plaines, IL 60016.
September 17 - GCCA Swap Meet, Chicago Hilton Northbrook 9:30 am – 1:00 pm.
Live Aquascaping Demo
Schaumburg Community Recreation Center
505 N Springinsguth Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60194
Second floor Excellence Room
Get ready for an exciting live demo with international aquascaping champion Marvin Lo!
Marvin will be showcasing his skills in a captivating live aquascaping demo, where he will create a stunning underwater landscape. Marvin will demonstrate his techniques for selecting the right aquatic plants, arranging them in a visually pleasing manner, and maintaining a healthy and balanced ecosystem.
Whether you're an experienced aquarist or a beginner, you won't want to miss this opportunity to learn from one of the best. Marvin has competed in many in person and online competitions and placed #65 in IAPLC 2021, #45 in IAPLC 2017, and top 10 in AGA International Aquascaping Contest 60-120L 2017. He has also had the honor of being a judge for the AGA competition as well.
Join us for an unforgettable live aquascaping demo with Marvin Lo!
** Completed scape including 17-gallon Rimless Aquarium, LED Light, Filtration, Hardscape, and Plants will be raffled off to one lucky winner! **
CAPS also hosts free plant trading and a free giveaway raffle for all in-person attendees at the meeting (must be present to win the raffle). Bring your plant clippings to trade and get your aquatic plants or aquascaping questions answered!
Mark your calendar for these future events:
6/25 - 1 - 3 PM CST - Tai Strietman - Habitats, fish and aquatic plants of the Pantanal Wetlands - Schaumburg Public Library
August - General meeting. Stay tuned for more information!
“On the Edge” Plants for Damp and Wet Habitats
The Chicago Aquatic Plant Society is pleased to have Michael Kolaczewski speak, he will give a presentation titled “On the Edge” Plants for Damp and Wet Habitats.” This presentation will explore plants that grow in damp to wet conditions. There are a number of plants that can be utilized in home gardens, in natural or constructed pond habitats, contained water plantings, and perhaps even terrariums and Paludariums. This will be a hybrid meeting, Join us on Zoom.
We will also discuss habitat requirements, substrates, and other criteria.
Michael Kolaczewski has been involved in the Horticultural field for a considerable time now. He started his own company in the early 1980’s, working with typical Garden plant materials, along with Native plantings, Tropical plants, and Aquatic Habitats. Michael got started in the aquarium hobby in the late 1960’s, keeping all types of Fresh Water fishes, planted tanks, along with Marine Aquariums.
CAPS also hosts free plant trading and a giveaway raffle for all in-person attendees at the meeting (must be present to win the raffle). Bring your plant clippings to trade and get your aquatic plants or aquascaping questions answered!
Mark your calendar for these future events:
5/21 - 1 - 3 PM CST - Aquascaping demo. Schaumburg Park District Recreation Center, 505 N Springinsguth Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60194.
6/25 - 1 - 3 PM CST - Tai Strietman - Habitats, fish and aquatic plants of the Pantanal Wetlands - Schaumburg Public Library
GCCA Tropical Fish Swap Meet
April 2nd - GCCA swap meet, Hilton Northbrook 2855 N. Milwaukee Ave. Northbrook, IL.
Mark your calendar:
Stay tuned for more info!
Wabikusa Workshop
At our workshop you will learn how to create the substrate ball, how to plant the ball, and how to maintain these small gardens over time. We supply all the materials, including plants, to create your own wabi-kusa. We will also be auctioning 8 UNS 16T tanks which are beautiful rimless tanks perfect to showcase your new creation in your home. RSVP is required to attend.
You must be a paid member to participate.
Mark your calendar:
April 2nd - GCCA swap meet, Hilton Northbrook 2855 N. Milwaukee Ave. Northbrook, IL.
GCCA Tropical Fish Swap Meet
February 26th - GCCA swap meet, Hilton Northbrook 2855 N. Milwaukee Ave. Northbrook, IL.
Mark your calendar:
March 2023 - CAPS Wabikusa Workshop, Stay tuned.
CAPS Meeting - Nutrient Balance in a Planted Tank
Saturday February 11, 2023 3-5 PM CST
Bailin Shaw will be presenting, the talk is titled “Nutrient Balance in a Planted Tank”
Expanding on last month's meeting which focused on maintaining a high energy tank without CO2, this month's topic will discuss maintaining a high energy, high tech planted tank with an emphasis on proper dosing and CO2 injection. The presentation will discuss the importance of balanced nutrient dosing and will also have a section on CO2 with a demo showing how to properly and safely set up a CO2 system.
Mark your calendar:
GCCA Swap Meet, Sunday February 26, 2023 - 10am-1 pm. Hilton Chicago Northbrook, 2855 Milwaukee Ave, Northbrook, IL 60062.
CAPS Meeting - Non-CO 2 Supplemented High Energy Tanks
Saturday January 21, 2023 1-3 PM CST
The Chicago Aquatic Plant Society is pleased to host guest speaker Sudipta Shaw. Sudipta will be presenting on Non-CO 2 Supplemented High Energy Tanks.
Sudipta currently works as a Researcher at the St. Paul campus of University of Minnesota. Sudipta holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in microbiology from India. Sudipta earned his PhD in biochemistry from Utah State University in 2017. His research experiences include biological nitrogen fixation, bacterial phosphate uptake system and biological CO 2 reduction to form value added products.
Apart from conducting research at the laboratory, he enjoys visiting parks and forests to photograph wild birds and animals. Although he has been keeping fish, and growing plants since he was a kid, his planted tank journey only started in the summer of 2018. Sudipta also maintains a pressurized CO 2 injected high-tech tank, but absolutely loves growing plants in non-CO 2 supplemented soft water tanks.
Mark your calendar:
GCCA Swap Meet, Sunday February 26, 2023 - 10am-1 pm. Hilton Chicago Northbrook, 2855 Milwaukee Ave, Northbrook, IL 60062.
GCCA Tropical Fish Swap Meet
January 15th - GCCA swap meet, Hilton Northbrook 2855 N. Milwaukee Ave. Northbrook, IL.
Mark your calendar:
Caps Meeting Saturday January 21, 2022 - 1-3 pm Guest speaker Sudipta Shaw.
Holiday Party 2022
2022 Annual Holiday Party - Saturday December 10, 2022 2-5 pm Rolling Knolls, Event Pavilion 11N Rohrssen Rd, Elgin, IL, 60120
The CAPS Annual Holiday Party is back! The CAPS annual party was always a fun time to celebrate the holidays, socialize, and purchase some great items donated by our valued sponsors! CAPS will also be providing a catered buffet style lunch for paid members and 1 additional guest. If you are a paid member you should have already received an e-mail containing an EvenBrite RSVP link.
We are in the process of collecting donations from our sponsors to support the auction fundraiser and the event will be held on December 10th. Only paid members will be invited to RSVP via EventBrite for this in person event. Last year we had items such as tanks, filters, fish food, live plants, wood, rock, gift certificates, subscriptions, and many other items.
Keep a watch on the CAPS page for more details about this event! We are excited to host this event and hope you can attend! If you would like to become a paid member click here
GCCA Tropical Fish Swap Meet
December 4th - GCCA swap meet, Hilton Northbrook 2855 N. Milwaukee Ave. Northbrook, IL.
Mark your calendar:
2022 Annual Holiday Party Saturday December 10, 2022 - 2-5 pm Rolling Knolls Event Pavilion11N Rohrssen Rd, Elgin, IL, 60120
Live Aquascaping Demo Series
Come join us for the November CAPS meeting as we start the first of our Aquascaping Series where we will present and set up an aquascape and go over principles that are more focused on the novice hobbyist. In the upcoming meeting, we will talk about appropriate equipment, substrate, principles of hardscape layout, and planting techniques that any hobbyist can do in their home tanks.
And as an added bonus, we will raffle the completed aquascape after the meeting to one lucky attendee to bring home!
Mark your calendars:
December 4th - 10:00 am - 1:00 pm GCCA tropical fish swap meet Hilton Chicago/Northbrook 2855 Milwaukee Ave, Northbrook, IL 60062
December 10th 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm Annual Holiday Party 2022 - Rolling Knolls Event Pavilion11 Rohrssen RoadElgin, IL, 60120
GCCA Tropical Fish Swap Meet
October 30 - GCCA swap meet, Hilton Northbrook 2855 N. Milwaukee Ave. Northbrook, IL.
Algae and Strategies for control
CAPS HYBRID MEETING - SUN Oct 16th FROM 1:00 - 3:00 PM CST
The Chicago Aquatic Plant Society’s Bailin Shaw will give a presentation titled "Algae And Strategies For Control".
The presentation will explore the different types of algae found in our tanks, what are the root causes for those types of algae, and strategies on how to mitigate and clear your tank of the problem. The presentation will also hit on how nutrients, lighting, maintenance, and other factors can lead to algae.
CAPS also hosts free plant trading and a giveaway raffle for all in-person attendees at the meeting (must be present to win the raffle). Bring your plant clippings to trade and get your aquatic plants or aquascaping questions answered!
If you are a paid member and interested in borrowing a book or the PAR meter from our CAPS library please contact Beth Lang at librarian@chicagoaquaticplants.com. You can pick it up at our next meeting or we can make other arrangements.
Remember to sign-up on our website to receive monthly newsletter emails about our future events.
Mark your calendar for these future events:
October 30 - GCCA swap meet, Hilton Northbrook 2855 N. Milwaukee Ave. Northbrook, IL.
Aquatic Gardeners Association Convention 2022 Chicago
Aquatic Gardeners Association 2022 Convention Hosted by CAPS
We are very excited to announce that CAPS will be hosting the next AGA convention this fall in Chicago. This is a "can't miss" event. If you love planted tanks, then you absolutely must come--it is going to be blast! So mark your calendars for September 29th - October 2nd.
CAPS is the hosting club this year, and we have some great speakers coming in from around the world, including a good friend of the club George Farmer amongst others! There will be workshops, live aquascaping demos, an incredible auction, and so much more. If you are a paid member of CAPS, you get in for the entire weekend for only $60. You will also have the opportunity to participate in one workshop (as long as slots remain open), the aquarium and supplies you take home from either workshop more than make up for the cost! There will also be a happy hour (hosted by CAPS), banquet, and a field trip to the Shedd Aquarium where you can mingle with like-minded aquarium plant nerds from around the world!
Registration is now open, please visit the AGA website to register!
Learn More
Water Chemistry For The Planted Aquarium
CAPS HYBRID MEETING - SUN Aug 14th FROM 1:00 - 3:00 PM CST
The Chicago Aquatic Plant Society is pleased to host guest speaker Michelle Conrey, who will give a presentation titled "Water Chemistry For The Planted Aquarium". In this talk you’ll learn how to find and interpret your water chemistry report, set targets for your water parameters, use additives to achieve those parameters, troubleshoot CO2, and keep your plants and fish happy! Understand what is in your water, what your plants and fish want in your water, and why?
Michelle Conrey has been a planted aquarium keeper and enthusiast for more than 30 years. Her MTS (Multiple Tank Syndrome) started in her gap year before university, when she picked up a job managing the care and maintenance of 40 or so fish tanks in her local pet store. After completing an undergrad degree in plant physiology and biochemistry, Michelle instead pursued a career in business, allowing her to fully apply her love for plants and plant science to her hobbies. She is currently the proud maintenance-slave to more than half dozen planted ‘high-tech’ tanks.
This will be a hybrid meeting so anyone can attend in person or via Zoom. The meeting will be from 1-3pm CST on Aug 14th at the Schaumburg Township District Library. 130 S Roselle Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60193 or you can attend via ZOOM.
CAPS also hosts free plant trading and a giveaway raffle for all in-person attendees at the meeting (must be present to win the raffle). Bring your plant clippings to trade and get your aquatic plants or aquascaping questions answered!
Remember to sign-up on our website to receive monthly newsletter emails about our future events.
Mark your calendar for these future events:
September 29 - October 2 - Aquatic Gardeners Association Convention 2022, Hosted by CAPS in Schaumburg, IL.
SR Aquaristik Workshop and Tour
We are excited to host our next event on Saturday, June 25th, from 1-3 pm at SR Aquaristik, 1441 Timber Dr Elgin, IL 60123.
This event will include a warehouse and gallery tour, demo on aquascaping basics and maintenance, and mini hands-on workshop on gluing/tying plants to rock. The CAPS plant trading table will be available and we will be raffling off tissue cultured plant cups to attendees.
This event is for paid members only with an option to invite one guest per member. To RSVP to the event, all current paid members will have already received an EventBrite invitation which you must use to RSVP. Due to space limitations, we will only be able to host a total of 50 people at this event so please RSVP as soon as you receive the EventBrite invitation. If you're not a paid member, and would like to participate in the event, you can join/renew at www.chicagoaquaticplants.com/become-a-member.
CAPS and SR Aquaristik will be following current CDC mandates on mask-wearing to this indoor event.
If you have any questions about your membership please send Eloy Villagran a message. Any questions about the event, please send Jo Ann Fujii a message on FaceBook or email at info@chicagoaquaticplants.com.
Mark your calendar for these future events:
Sept 29 - Oct 2 – Aquatic Gardeners Association convention 2022 Chicago, IL, Hosted by CAPS in Chicago