![\"\"](\"http:\/\/gwapa.org\/articles\/workshop_2003\/people1%5B2%5D.jpg\")
<\/p>\nOne of the goals of GWAPA is to attract more people into the planted
\naquaria aspect of the hobby and help them grow plants successfully. To
\nsupport that cause, on October 5th 2003, GWAPA had its first major
\nevent – The Beginners Workshop.<\/p>\n
We weren’t really expecting a large turnout but one of our members,
\nSherry Mitchell, wrote a fantastic article in the Washington Post about planted aquaria and plugged GWAPA’s event.
\nThe result – BIG TURNOUT! (Thanks Sherry!!)<\/p>\n
It’s a good thing we got the larger room or we’d have been in trouble.
\nAbout 100 people showed up for the event, some from as far away as New Jersey,Delaware and southern Virginia!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The workshop program was as follows:
\nAn hour for a social and refreshments.
\nPresentations by Robert Rickets, Rick Doston, and myself, Ghazanfar Ghori.
\nAn auction
\nA raffle<\/p>\n
Robert Ricket’s presentation was about substrates, which he
\ncovered comprehensively. He also talked about the different filtration equipment and lighting options that are available. A very informative
\ntalk from which everyone, even the more experienced hobbyists,
\nwalked away learning something.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/gwapa.org\/articles\/workshop_2003\/speaker2%5B1%5D.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
In Rick Dotson’s talk about plants, he explained the differences between
\nrosette plants, stem plants and epiphytes – showing several examples
\nof each type and passed them among the audience. Rick also talked about
\nfertilization, covering everything from substrate fertilization to CO2.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/gwapa.org\/articles\/workshop_2003\/speaker3%5B1%5D.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Next came my turn, my talk about aquascaping. I explained basic
\naquascaping principles and using local rocks & donated plants,
\nsetup a 20G Long tank to demonstrate some of the things I had
\ntalked about.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/gwapa.org\/articles\/workshop_2003\/Ghazanfar6%5B1%5D.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/gwapa.org\/articles\/workshop_2003\/Ghazanfar8%5B1%5D.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
After a short break, we went on to the auction! We had over 200 items!
\nSome of those came from vendors who generously donated their products
\nto be used as auction items and raffle prizes. Andrew Blumhagen (President of PVAS) volunteered to be the auctioneer.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/gwapa.org\/articles\/workshop_2003\/plant_table%5B1%5D.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/gwapa.org\/articles\/workshop_2003\/plant_table2%5B1%5D.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
We had raffle draws in between the auction, and David Snell walked away with the #1 prize – a fully setup established planted tank!
\nHere’s a picture of the prize!<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/gwapa.org\/articles\/workshop_2003\/20G_1%5B1%5D.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Prize #2 was the ‘demonstration’ tank – again fully planted. The third prize was a collection of products from Seachem and a certificate for a 1 year AGA membership.<\/p>\n
In all, the workshop was a huge success! GWAPA got 9 new members
\nand encouraged many more to get more involved in this wonderful hobby.
\nI’d like to thank everyone who helped out and all the vendors who supported us.<\/p>\n
I’d especially like to thank,<\/p>\n
Aquarium Garden Charley Sabatino Hello Lights Seachem The Aquatic Gardeners Association Wet Pets Inc.
\nwww.aquariumgarden.com<\/a>
\nAn online source for great quality aquarium plants!<\/p>\n
\nbeadgc@nyc.rr.com<\/a>
\nCharley imports rare aquatic plants – if you crave the uncommon, he’s your man.<\/p>\n
\nwww.hellolights.com<\/a>
\nYour aquarium lighting superstore!<\/p>\n
\nwww.seachem.com<\/a>
\nSeachem is a manufacturer of innovative aquarium products. They
\ngo over and beyond their call to help support the hobby.<\/p>\n
\nwww.aquatic-gardeners.org<\/a>
\nAn international nonprofit organization of aquatic plant enthusiasts.
\nIf you’re into aquatic plants, you need to join this organization.<\/p>\n
\nwww.wetpetsinc.com<\/a>
\nWet Pets is the largest and most professional aquarium service in
\nthe Washington D.C. area.<\/p>\n