Monthly Meeting

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Speaker: Cathy Cope

*****NEW LOCATION*****

Doors open at 7pm

Beginner-Friendly Aquarium Plants:
A Guide for New Hobbyists

Cathy claims that she is by no means an expert or even an intermediate fish keeper, but she did enjoy her goldfish tanks as a tween into her early adult years. Her tanks back then ranged from 10 to 30 gallons and she admits that compared to today’s standards, she did everything wrong but somehow, her fish thrived and even endured a move from Montreal to Cobourg! In September 2024, Cathy started fish keeping again. This journey once again began with a 10-gallon goldfish tank …. which ended badly, so that became a betta tank! Fast forward a year and Cathy has 16 tanks ranging in size from 10 to 65 gallons. Cathy keeps many bettas, community and nano fish, snails and shrimp. But her true passion is plants and creating beautiful and natural aquascapes for her fish friends. Cathy hopes to help new fish keepers like she was take the fear out of trying real plants and CO2!

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Meetings are in person

75 Bayly Street, Ajax, ON

PLEASE SEE FLYER AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE FOR MORE DETAILS

Paid DRAS members can access the talk on zoom if unable to make it in person (zoom waiting room enabled).

NEW** This meeting will be recorded and can be sent to paid DRAS members who are unable to watch live!

PLUS:

Monthly Auction

Fish in a Bag Game (Sponsored by Big Al’s Whitby)

Upcoming Meetings/Events

Monthly Meetings

(NEW LOCATION! 75 Bayly Street West, Ajax, ON)

January 13, 2026: Cathy Cope: Plants for Beginners

February 10, 2026: Matt Jackett: Salt Water Beginner Guide

March 10, 2026: Mike Majer: Aquatic Redneck

April 14, 2026: Franky Sebastiao: Live Aquascaping

Annual Dinner: May 2026 Date TBD

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ITEMS aVAILABLE aT mONTHLY MEETINGS:

Preorders of bags or fish food is always encouraged so we can ensure we bring enough to the meeting.

email contact.dras@gmail.com to place your order

Sera Vipan Flake (bulk food from Angelfins)

This flake is a mix of earthworm, vitamin booster and egg fish flakes and it is designed to produce speedy growth of your juvenile fish.

1 pound (453 g) = $40

200 g = $20

100 g = $10

Cichlet Pellets 1 kg = $40

Kelp Wafers 400g = $20

Brine Shrimp Eggs = $5

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FISH BAGS

Sizes and $ are as follows:

25 - 2 mL 4 x 18” $2

50 - 2 mL 6 x 18” $6

25 - 2.25 mL 8 x 18” $4

25 - 2.25 mL 10 x 20” $5

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Contest 1:
BAP Contest Running until our June meeting $100 Gift card

BAP CONTEST RULES:

1. You must be a paid member

2. Fill out the form https://www.dras.ca/conservation to enter

3. Points are awarded using the BAP point system

4. Fish must be added to the BAP (BAP rules apply)

5. If you have already bred that species for BAP you can still get the points for that species for the contest

6. There will be a separate section for points then BAP on the website

7. Advertise on our fb page or band what fish you are bringing in to try get more money for your fish and draw people in

   If you have any questions you can email contact.dras@gmail.com
   

Contest 2:
Best Tank Contest Running until our June meeting $100 Gift card

BEST TANK RULES:

1.     Eligibility and How to Enter

• Open to all club members in good standing

• Three entries per household

• Send a video that shows you with your tank(s) to contact.dras@gmail.com in order to prove the tank is yours and at your home

• Also email a photo that can be printed and used for judging purposes

• Each entry will receive a number in order to remain anonymous during judging

2.     Aquarium Size/Type

• Tank can be any size

• Freshwater or saltwater

3.     Aquarium Setup

There are no restrictions other than the following:

• Fish must be healthy, well-cared-for, and suitable for the size of the aquarium (at the discretion of the Executive)

• No harmful or invasive species (as per the Ontario Invasive Species Act)

4.     Judging Process

The contest will take place during the Year-End Club Meeting in June 2026 from 7pm, when the doors open, to 8pm, when the meeting starts

• The winners will be announced before the end of the meeting

• All members will participate in judging by voting for their favorite tank

• Members can only vote once, and they should not vote for their own tank

• Photos will be numbered to ensure anonymity

 5.     Judging Criteria

Members should consider the following when choosing their favourite tank:

• Aesthetic Appeal: Visual harmony, design, creativity etc.

• Aquarium Health: Water clarity, plant health, fish wellbeing etc.

• Aquarium Knowledge: Proper fish and plant species selection, equipment choice

• Maintenance & Cleanliness: Overall cleanliness and organization of the tank

6.     Prizes

• Prize of a $100 gift card to a sponsor of your choice will be awarded to the First-Place winner

7.     Deadline

• All entries must be submitted by the May Monthly meeting

These rules keep things clear, fair, and easy to follow, with a focus on both creativity and tank health.

If you have any questions you can email contact.dras@gmail.com

Contest 3:
AHAP Contest Running until our June meeting $100 Gift card

AHAP RULES:

1. You must be a paid member

2. Fill out the form https://www.dras.ca/conservation to enter

3. Plant must be added to the AHAP (AHAP rules apply)

4. If you have already received points for that species for AHAP you can still receive points for that species for the contest

5. There will be a separate section for points then AHAP on the website

6. Advertise on our fb page or band what plants you are bringing in to try get more money for your plants and draw people in
   
   If you have any questions you can email contact.dras@gmail.com