Saturday, September 26, at 1:00pm

Location: Herndon, VA — hosted at GWAPA member John Gonzalez’s home

“Planted Discus & Dutch Aquascaping“

Get ready for a fantastic afternoon of planted aquariums, discus, and aquascaping inspiration at our September GWAPA meeting!

John will kick things off with a short talk about his impressive 210-gallon Planted Discus Tank, giving us a look at how he balances the needs of discus with a lush planted aquarium.

Then, we’ll dive deep into the world of Dutch Aquascaping with Tim Gross! Tim will give a detailed presentation on the history, techniques, plant selection, composition, and design principles behind the classic Dutch style. He’ll also share insights from his own experience, including his award-winning AGA Dutch Aquascaping entry from 2025.

Whether you’re a longtime Dutch-style enthusiast or have always wondered how those incredible rows of perfectly arranged plants come together, this is a talk you won’t want to miss!

Come hang out with fellow GWAPA members, check out John’s 210-gallon tank, and get inspired to try something new in your own aquarium.

About the speaker:

Tim’s passion for planted aquariums began in 1991, when he was 12 years old and received my first 10-gallon aquarium for his birthday. Inspired by Barry James’s Aquarium Plants and its beautiful examples of Dutch aquascaping, he quickly became fascinated with creating planted tanks. What began as a friendly competition with childhood friends grew into a lifelong passion for aquatic plants, aquascaping, and the aquarium hobby.

Tim has been a member of the Greater Pittsburgh Aquarium Society, Inc. (GPASI) since 2002 and served for 15 years as coordinator of its Aquatic Horticultural Awards Program (AHAP), where he became a Master Horticulturalist. He was also a founding member of the Pittsburgh Area Planted Aquarium Society (PAPAS). Since joining the Aquatic Gardeners Association (AGA) in 2006, he has competed in its international aquascaping contest since 2017, earning multiple top finishes, including First Place in Wabi-Kusa, Second Place and two First Place finishes in the Dutch category, and Top Ten and Second Place finishes in the Aquatic Garden category.

After more than three decades in the hobby, Tim continues to learn, experiment, compete, and share my enthusiasm for planted aquariums and aquascaping with others.

GWAPA & JRAS Collecting Trip Adventure!

August 29th, 10am-4pm (rain date will be the following Saturday)

Hardware River Wildlife Management Area Boat Ramp

5128 W River Rd., Scottsdale, VA 24590

Ready to get your feet wet and spend a day exploring nature with fellow aquatic hobbyists? Join GWAPA and our friends from JRAS for a fun-filled collecting trip at the Hardware River as we search for native aquatic plants, fish, and other fascinating freshwater critters! Whether you’re a seasoned collector or trying it for the first time, this is a fantastic opportunity to learn, share techniques, and enjoy a day outdoors with great company.

Don’t Forget to Bring:
• A valid Virginia fishing license (required for all participants)
• Sunscreen
• A hat
• Plenty of fluids to stay hydrated
• Snacks
• Collection containers, buckets, or bags for your finds
• A change of clothes
• A towel
• Shoes you don’t mind getting wet and muddy

Expect to get a little muddy, discover some hidden aquatic treasures, and have plenty of laughs along the way. Whether you come home with a few new plants or simply great memories, it’s always a fun day in the field.

Come join us for an adventure—you never know what we’ll find!

Keep coming back for exact meeting location closer to the trip!

Join us for the GWAPA Annual Picnic on Saturday, June 27th at 1:00 PM.

Whether you’re a long-time member or brand new to the club, this is one of the most relaxed and fun events of the year. Come hang out with fellow plant geeks, fish keepers, aquascapers, and aquarium enthusiasts while enjoying an afternoon outdoors. Tim Koles is our host.

GWAPA will be firing up the grill and providing burgers and hot dogs. We ask everyone to bring their favorite side dish or dessert to share. It’s always fun to see what everyone brings, and somehow the food is almost as impressive as the aquariums we talk about!

We’ll have plenty of time to talk tanks, swap stories, share tips, and maybe even debate the best way to grow that “easy” plant that refuses to cooperate. Bring a lawn chair, your appetite, and your latest aquarium adventures.

This is a great chance to meet members outside of our regular meetings and connect with the amazing community that makes GWAPA such a great club.

Come hungry, bring a side dish or dessert, and get ready for a fun afternoon with your GWAPA friends!