What do you like about GWAPA and why?

[Rick Dotson]

I just wanted an open post about why you have joined our club and why you participate?

Personally, I like the wide variety of experience we have in the club. If I have a problem or want to try something new there is always someone in GWAPA who has done it or has solved the same problem. This used to be the Local Petshop but with the Petsmarts and the internet they are having a harder time hiring qualified people.

I hope to hear a lot of different ideas on my you like our club.

Rick

[ingg]

Information and plants!


I have been able to learn so much. The club has so many styles and so many methods used by the members that it offers solutions for just about anything. The knowledge and information available is incredible, and comes from just striking up a conversation or just asking, folks always have been super about it for me.

Plants, out the wazoo and so many varieties! Getting to yet a rare species, or great clean growth, or being able to see how something grows in different conditions. I think it is sometimes taken for granted how lucky we are as a group to have many of our rank be so dedicated to finding and growing those rare ofduties and species, doing local collecting, etc. I know the value of it didn't hit home to me at first anyhow, but I have come to realize and truly appreciate it!

Last but not least, the friendships. I have made a lot of good friends with some truly great folks, and even if I shut down my tanks, I would want to keep in touch and keep that alive. There are a lot of great folks in the club!

[Judi]

So many things!

Being able to get together with people who share this obsession, for one. I started keeping tanks when I was a kid, but had never before belonged to any kind of club or even known anyone else who was into aquariums.

When I attended my first GWAPA meeting, I was a little worried that I might be getting in a bit over my head, or that I would feel out of place since I was so new at plants. But I discovered there were people of all different experience levels, with many varied approaches to keeping plants. More important, I was made to feel welcome and found that people were more than happy to share their knowledge.

I always learn something at meetings whether it's from the planned topic, the "mini" auction, chatting with someone at the meeting, or all of the above.

I enjoy seeing other people's tanks, seeing the different possibilities that exist, and maybe asking questions about their set ups.

The variety of plants available from club members is simply astounding. I can't remember the last time I bought plants anywhere else. I know that the plants I get through the club will be healthy and in excellent condition. Even if I was able to find this variety and quality elsewhere, I'd rather give my money to the club and the member who grew the plants than anyone else. The auctions are great fun, too.

Most of all, I think it's the people who make this club what it is. It wouldn't matter how knowledgeable people were or what cool plants they brought to the auction if they weren't any fun to be around. If people were too full of themselves, or didn't know how to laugh, I would not keep coming back every month.

[chris_todd]

I joined to gain more knowledge, because knowledge is Power, and because Power leads to world domination... through planted aquaria! (Thanks, Sean, for clarifying GWAPA's mission statement! )

Seriously, though, I would second everything Rick, Dave and Judi said, particularly about the people - y'all are just Good People. That you're aquatic plant experts is a bonus. I really did join to gain more knowledge (which I've done, and will continue to do forever), but I've been pleasantly surprised at just how much fun this is!

[Rick Dotson]

Judy, I too had always had planted fish tanks but had to learn the hard way because often I knew more about plants than the "experts" at the fish shop.

I also think hanging out with people discussing pH, nitrogen or phospate levels isn't weird. While my non-fish friends enjoy my tanks it is not the same discussing how it where it is now. Which is hopefully nice looking because every so often I still get an algae attack which still gets me flustered.

So it is back to the people and the fun of sharing experiences about something I love.

[rich_one]

great advice... great deals on plants... cool stories and incredible, awe inspiring pics... all tied to a hobby I am always trying to get better at.

I mean seriously... I may not make meetings much, but was is there NOT to like about this very cool organization?

[JSnyder]

+1 to all of the above

I jumped into the hobby without really knowing what I was doing. I had seen what a planted tanks could be, with the myriad of colors, textures, and shapes, all elegantly composed to resemble a little slice of nature. I was immediately hooked. I fitted our 110xt with a lighting retro from ahsupply, "complete" co2 system from Florida driftwood, and a mess of plants from Freshwateraquariumplants.com It was a major learning experience for me, and a lot of trial and error. (more error lol) I then became a member of The Planted Tank, APC, and a few other plant forums/websites. I was amazed by the amount of info available, and how many aquascaping styles and plants existed. It seemed like for every member there was a different way of doing things.
This led me to Gwapa, I truly believe we have one of the best clubs, with the best plants, the best info, and aquascapers that rival the best in the country. (world?) Gwapa is an amazing resource for anybody involved in the hobby, it has elevated my planted tank game exponentially. The members are willing to go out of their way to help you. I also agree with the fact that it gives me a chance to "talk plants" and other things of a technical nature with people who understand it. Usually I try to dumb it down for non planted tankers and still get clueless looks lol.

[SCMurphy]

I joined to gain more knowledge, because knowledge is Power, and because Power leads to world domination... through planted aquaria! (Thanks, Sean, for clarifying GWAPA's mission statement! )

Dude, we need to send you back to evil laugh class because I'm just not feeling it here.

[PaulS]

I agree with everything previously mentioned and especially the comments about what great people we have. That's really what makes this club stand out the most for me.

[Sonny Disposition]

I would have to say the information and the people. Or, more accurately, the people and the information.

I'm really not that into plants. I keep a few types--either floaters or rooted plants in tubs in bare bottom tanks. But you always have knowledgeable speakers who know what they're talking about, and I always learn something interesting. I always learn something and have a good time, so I keep coming back.

GWAPA really is a good group. The experienced people in the club readily share what they know. For example, I like the way that Dave and Ghazanfar patiently explained the requirements of the plants they auctioned off at the last meeting.

I also like the fact that a lot of you share my interest in native fish and collecting. I never expected to find that in a plant club, but it's pretty neat, nonetheless.