Quest

2003:
7/08/03
6/21/03
6/13/03
5/19/03
5/06/03
4/20/03
3/25/03
3/23/03
2/18/03
1/5/03

2002:
11/11/02
10/11/02
10/03/02
9/1/02
8/10/02
7/14/02
7/2/02
6/4/02
4/6/02
3/14/02

2001:
6/28/01
5/31/01
4/26/01
3/29/01

2000:
11/30/00
10/24/00
9/28/00
8/21/00
7/27/00
6/22/00
5/25/00
4/20/00
3/10/00
2/24/00

Q U E S T 8 / 21 / 00 monthly bulletin of the Madison Aquatic Gardeners

Summary of the 7 / 27 / 00 meeting:

Attending: were Mark Adams, Linda Horvath, Pat Cannon, Andrea Diss, Bob Gilbertson, Thomas Givnish, John Glaeser, Melissa Maurer, Nate Polnaszek, Wayne Rayfield, Dave Stalowski, Keith Strade, Mark Subramanian, Rebecca Grossberg and Susan West. Special welcome to guests Jim Stich, Scott L. Gordon, Davie Reese and Tom Tarrolly.

What a grand tour it was! Thanks Melissa Maurer, for leading us along the garden pathways. We were impressed. Everything was at the peak of loveliness. The waterways, bridges and serpentine pathways provided a surprise at every turn. Folks were amused by seeing swarms of juvenile bullheads that had taken residence in the ponds, thanks to the overflowing banks of Starkweather Creek. Olbrich has exciting prospects for future development and we are sure Melissa will keep us up on the latest.

Thanks to Linda for heading up the refreshments committee and for donating the tasty sandwich makings. And thanks to Susan, Pat, John, Mark and Rebbecca for the cookies, nuts, plastic ware, plates, sodas and juice.

NEWS

1. Iron Test Finally, a reliable, affordable one! Comes form Hagen and has 50 tests. Costs between $8 and $12. Accuracy is reasonably close to a $250 Hach professional, digital read-out kit. Quoting from the kit brochure, " Iron is an important component for proper metabolism in most terrestrial and aquatic plants. It is required for a number of enzyme controlled photosynthetic processes. Iron is also linked with plant respiration, chlorophyll synthesis and plant protein production. It is an essential element in the formation of plant cell membranes." 0.25 to 0.5 mg/L is and ideal level for iron. Testing tells you if you are low or have too much.

2. Additions to the Library

AQUARIUM PLANTS by Barry Jones, Tetra Press. This introduction to the planted aquarium experience is a classic from l986. For a small book, this is quite complete. Solid content!

Hagen Aquarium Master Test Kit. Want to understand your aquarium water? Check out this kit like you would a book or magazine. Testing is fun!

3. Planted Aquaria Magazine / Summer, has arrived. Pick up your personal free copy. It has neat stories: Cryptrocoryne field trip to the Philippines, analysis of substrates, discussion about Algae and an illustrated article by John on starting an aquarium club.