SPLASH OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MILWAUKEE AQUARIUM SOCIETY INC AUGUST In this issue:

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1 SPLASH OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MILWAUKEE AQUARIUM SOCIETY INC AUGUST 2011 In this issue: Flowering of the Madagascar Lace plant Aponogeton madagariensis Oberon FMR Product Review

2 Milwaukee Aquarium Society Society Officers: President: Andy Hudson (262) Vice President: Austin Braganza (414) Treasurer: Jerry Michels (414) Secretary: Danielle Jirik Sgt. At Arms: Jim Everson (414) Board Members: Board Chairman Ken King (262) Splash Editor Tim Pilat (262) Board Members: Don Hinske (262) John O Conner (414) Ted Judy Justin Winch Committee Chairpersons: Breeders Award Program (BAP) Andy Hudson (262) Horticulturists Award Program (HAP) Aaron Glass (262) Fish Store Liaison Don Hinske (262) Librarian Jim Everson (414) Participation Awards Program (PAP) Ken King (262) Speaker Chair Jim Everson Visit Us at Our Website

3 From the Fish Room of the President Well this letter is about a month overdue. I apologize to everyone for holding the Splash up. It s been a very busy month for me. We found out that my wife Leah is pregnant so we stepped up our home buying plans last month and closed on our first home a few weeks ago. Before and since then we have been extremely busy as anyone who has bought a home before can tell you, and it s been hard to find time to sit down and write. I have a ton of aquariums sitting in the basement just waiting to be setup! As I am writing this my family in coastal Delaware is weathering hurricane Irene. So far they seem to be alright and only have a few more hours to go. I spend some time on several of the east coast forums and there have been a lot of talk about what to do with their aquariums in the aftermath of the storm. Let s hope that these folks all make it out ok and their fish don t suffer. This is one of the reasons why it s important for more people to get involved in programs like CARES. If species are kept in just a few hobbyists hands in one area the chance of these species being lost by a widespread environmental disaster is greater. Spreading fish across the country helps prevent that from happening. This Fall is very busy for MAS. There are our usual meetings, swap, and auction but we are also attempting to organize a Shop Hop, and the Aquarium Beautiful contest for kids on November 12th through the 19th. And MAAH is having an event this fall too that promises to be a lot of fun. I encourage everyone to volunteer to help with these events and look for new fish to add to their fish rooms too! See you all soon! Andy Narwhal72 on

4 Important Dates! M.A.S. September Board Meeting September 3 1:00 at Ted Judy s home, (608) Matthew Way Stoughton WI Everyone is welcome M.A.S. September Meeting September 16 Shop Hop - Chicago Area September 18 Aquarium Beautiful sign-up October 1 M.A.S. October Meeting October 21 M.A.S. Fall Auction October 9 Aquarium Beautiful set-up November 12 M.A.S. Fish-O-Ramma (swap) November 13 M.A.S. November Meeting November 18 Aquarium Beautiful tear down November 19 M.A.S. Christmas Party December 4 M.A.S. Fish-O-Ramma (swap) January 8, 2012 M.A.S. January Meeting January 20 M.A.S. February Meeting February 17 For more information visit Also visit

5 We will begin including a calendar of events for Species Clubs and surrounding City Clubs. Please submit your entries to tim.pilat@gmail.com. MAAH general meetings: September 17, October 22 MAAH Fall Fish Fest; October 29, 30 see page 18 GCCA swap September 18 Speakers for 2011 M.A.S. Meetings Here are the speakers for 2011 and the probable topics: September - David Boruchowitz (TFH editor in chief) - Freshwater Nanoaquariums October - Steve Ehrlich - Shedd Aquarium's Amazon Rising November - Rachel O Leary - Snails and Shrimp The following Stores Support M.A.S. Aquatics Unlimited 3550 S. 108 th St Greenfield, WI (414) Hoffer s Tropic Life 7323 N. 76 th St. Milwaukee, WI (414) Smiley s Pets N Things 5869 S. Packard Ave Cudahy, WI (414) Pet Supply Port 620 E. Green Bay Ave. Saukville, WI (262) Best Fish 1335 N. 3 rd St. Milwaukee, Wi (414) REMEMBER to show your M.A.S. membership card to possibly receive discounts on your purchases.

6 Oberon FMR Product Review by Bob Borger - Captain Bob s Fishtails Recently, I had the opportunity to test a new product. It is a natural fish meal replacement (FMR) product for fish food. My food trials marked the first time this type of additive was used in tropical fish food. With a protein content of 63-66% and very interesting pond test results, as well as being a natural, nonchemical product, I was anxious to get started. I added the FMR to my stock Livebearer fish food blend at a rate of 30% FMR - 70% fish food. My stock blend ingredients are basic: fish meal, corn gluten meal, krill meal, Omega fatty acids, garlic, and several algae. Tests were started the day I received the sample product. My test subject was the Endler Live Bearer. Housed in two separate twenty-long fish tanks, one tank received only my stock fish food, while the new blend was used in the other tank. In two weeks the size increase and color enhancement was easily observed by sight. Total strangers could see the difference between the tanks without prompting. When asked if there was any difference in the two tanks, the FMR tank was singled out each time as larger and more colorful fish. Only then did I explain the test to them. Samples were sent to fellow fish keepers with instructions on how to feed the food and check results. Spawns were split into two or three tanks. Gobies, plecos and angelfish showed the same results. A thirty to fifty percent growth increase and more vivid color was noted in each study. A friend s blue Betta fish that had traces of red in the pectoral fins turned pink while on an exclusive diet of the thirty percent food. I purchased a similar blue betta, fed according to the same constant with the same results. As my fish turned pink, I reduced the percentage of FMR to fifteen percent. The fish returned to its blue color with beautiful red highlights, while maintaining stellar health and vigor. The additive is scheduled for release to the open market in the last quarter of Testing this additive on pond fish has shown a positive prognosis for the human consumption market. Using a green product rather than chemically

7 enhanced methods to increase healthy growth rates bodes well for the future of farm raised fish. Tests on tropical fish so far have shown a dramatic growth increase which will allow breeders to cut the time from fry to finish, while naturally maintaining strong immune systems and brilliant color.

8 Flowering of the Madagascar Lace plant Aponogeton madagariensis by Rob McLure Milwaukee Aquarium Society I first obtained my Madagascar Lace plant in early June, I purchased it from a local fish store immediately noticed that it had a rather large (approx. 4 cm) bulb. I brought it home and carefully removed 3 brown leaves that looked dead, leaving the plant with 3 green leaves. I placed the plant about dead center in my 36 gallon corner aquarium. At this time I had very strong lighting (near 5 watts per gallon), but no fertilization and the only carbon I was adding was through daily dosing with Seachem Excel. The plant looked like this at the time: Near the end of June I reorganized my tank and moved the lace plant to the middle rear of the tank as I read in an online forum that this was the best placement for it. Shortly after I added CO2 with the installation of the larger Fluval CO2 system. The plant began to grow new leaves daily. By the end of the week the lace plant had 9 leaves that reached the top of the 18 tank. The first weekend in July I decided to begin the use of a fertilization regimen and added KNO3 to the tank. Unfortunately I had read an online forum post wrong

9 and added way too much! My nitrate levels spiked and were reaching over 200ppm. I quickly did a few 50% water changes in the next few days and the levels evened out. But it was during this time that I noticed the lace plant put out even more leaves and on the 4th of July I first noticed the spathe. It looked like a small flower bud, about 2 inches from the gravel in the center of all the lace leaves. By the 8th of July it had nearly reached the top of the tank and looked like this: I assumed once it hit the top of the water it would open, but I was wrong. Once it reached the top the spathe turned a right angle and began to float horizontally on top of the water. By the 11th of July the stem had stretched out quite a bit and it looked like this:

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11 At this point I was concerned I needed to do something to help it bloom so I posted on plantedtank.net asking for advice. Thankfully multiple people said to leave it alone and let nature do its thing. I did and the stem of the spathe continued to grow and grow until it had circled the top of the tank twice and was well over 3 feet from the base of the plant. I had just about given up hope, when on July 20th a full 2 weeks from when I had first seen the spathe I woke up one morning turned the lights on and saw this:

12 Over the next 7 or 8 days the flower continued to grow larger and open up more and more. I attempted to artificially pollinate it with a paint brush but I haven t found out if that worked yet. Here are a couple more pictures: Full Flower:

13 A close up you can see the pollen pretty well:

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15 Milwaukee Aquarium Society General Meeting Minutes August 19, 2011 Membership report: We currently have 41 paid members. Treasurer s report: Current balance is $ , of which the library has $ The June mini auction had 25 items which sold for $96. The running total for this year s mini auctions is 79 items for $300. Splash: Please write articles for Splash. Webmaster Report (Ted Judy): Ted requested everyone to please use the website and especially the forum. Library (Jim Everson): no report BAP (Andy Hudson): Check your results on the website. PAP (Ken King): The Christmas party is planned for December 4, Mark you calendars. New Business: The Milwaukee Aquarium Society plans to have a southern shop hop where we rent a 15 passenger van and tour the local fish stores as a group. We will meet at the Southbound Park and Ride on College Avenue between 7:00 A.M. and 8:00 A.M. we will depart promptly at 8:00. The fee is $10. Contact Andy for more info. We have some great speakers coming up - September - David Boruchowitz (TFH editor in chief) - Freshwater Nanoaquariums October - Steve Ehrlich - Shedd Aquarium's Amazon Rising November - Rachel O Leary - Snails and Shrimp See the advertisement for MAAH Fall Fish Fest to take place October They will have some great speakers. Also, there is a Madison meeting Saturday at 11 am at Dream Lanes. A new Midwest fish distributor is looking for local fish breeders.

16 The Milwaukee Aquarium Society Board Meeting Minutes August 9, 2011 The Board meeting was held at Tim Pilat s house. the meeting was called to order at 3;30 P.M. Present: Ted Judy, Andy Hudson, Jerry Michels, Tim Pilat, David Miller, Danielle Jirik, Ken King, and Don Hinske. We all welcomed Danielle as the club s new secretary. Treasury: $ , incl library at $141.04, June mini auction 25 items for $96 - year to date 79 items for $300. Splash: The June edition was completed with the help of an article from Aquarticles. Ted will provide Tim with information about MAAH activities for future editions. Don will provide some old society journals. Exchanges: Don is working on moving to digital exchange and he is also cross referencing for bad addresses. Manufacturers Liason: Bonnie K will take this job over. Andy gave Ken a list of companies. PAP: Ken indicated that all is on track for Xmas party and we should have plenty of stuff for the auction. BAP: Andy indicated the point totals are almost fully updated. Many members need the very difficult double D. Ted mentioned the GCCA life time membership for ultimate breeder. Andy will send Ted an updated list. Auction: Our Fall auction will occur on October 9th at New Berlin Bowl. GCCA is offering MAS a promo table at their next auction on September 19th. Fish-O-Ramma (swap): The next dates are November 13 and January 8. Speakers: The August general meeting will featured Andy with a presentation on lighting for planted tanks and Ted with a presentation on substrates for planted tanks. The MAAH club will provide plants as a way of saying thank you to the MAS club. The plants will be in the auction and offered as door prizes.

17 September - David Boruchowitz (TFH editor in chief) - Freshwater Nanoaquariums October - Steve Ehrlich - Shedd Aquarium's Amazon Rising November - Rachel O Leary - Snails and Shrimp We are still arranging for speakers for Feb. Apr. Jun. Nov. - fish disease based upon conditions Terry F? - marine topic with local marine club SEWReefers? Old Business Aquarium Beautiful Nov 12 and 19, (9 A.M. to 1 P.M.) - need volunteers to help kids set up aquariums at Hoffer s. Austin is the chairman. Will someone write an article for the Splash? The Chicago Shop Hop will occur 9/18. We plan to rent a van and the fee is $10 per person. Andy is coordinating. Meet at the College Avenue Park and Ride at 8:00 A.M. New Business Christmas party fee - price set same as last year. Consider ALA 2013 or MCA 2012/2013 Ted will do exploratory. Should we conduct a survey? - Ted will research. Next Meeting - September 1:00. Ted hosts. Splash Classifieds FOR SALE: 2 1/2 gallon aquarium tanks (used) $6.00 each 10 gallon aquarium tanks (used) $10.00 each contact John O Conner (414) Goodea atripinnis (livebearer) $ 7.00 pr. Ameca splendens (livebearer) $ 7.00 pr. Xenophorus captivus (livebearer) $ 7.00 pr. Limia variatta ( livebearer) $7.00 trio. Xenotoca eiseni (red-tail Goodea - livebearer) $8.00 pr. contact Ken King (262) ( will not ship out fish ) (Place your Ad Here for items you wish to sell or are looking for) Contact Jerry Michels or Andy Hudson for ad information.

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19 THE SPLASH The Splash is the official publication of the Milwaukee Aquarium Society, and is published six times per year under the direction of the Board of Directors. Articles are always welcome. Please submit them to the editor (Tim Pilat) no later than the first day of even numbered months to be included in the next issue. Articles should be submitted in digital format to We will gladly exchange our publication with all interested societies. Please mail exchanges to Exchange Editor, P.O. Box , Milwaukee, WI Reprints of articles published in the Splash are always permitted and encouraged, provided that credit is given in reprinting to The Splash, author and Society. It is also requested that a copy of the issue containing the article reprinted be sent to the address above to be shared with the author. This would be in addition to any exchange copies. Please inform the editor of any address changes in forwarding of this publication to members or other societies. THE MILWAUKEE AQUARIUM SOCIETY The Milwaukee Aquarium Society is an organization devoted to the hobby of tropical fish, both freshwater and saltwater. Its membership consists of hobbyists gaining expertise in all phases of raising and breeding tropical fish, as well as area retailers. Our membership expertise covers a wide range, from beginners to expert breeders, but all members are interested in promoting the hobby and encouraging others to join in the fun. General meetings are held monthly, the third Friday of the month, 7:30 p.m. at Hoffers s Tropic Life Pets, 7323 N. 76th Street, Milwaukee. We thank them for their hospitality. Free parking is available, and guests are always welcome. No general meetings are held in July or December. Annual membership dues are $20.00 for a Family and $15.00 for an individual. Membership dues provide for the Splash, monthly speakers, community support, annual events, and show support. A yearly subscription to the Splash is available for $ New or renewal of membership dues should be sent to the treasurer: Jerry Michels 6333 W. Boehlke, Milwaukee, WI 53223

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