Greater Pittsburgh Aquarium Society, Inc.

June 2019 GPASI Meeting
Friday June 28th, 2019

Chris Carpenter "Shell Dwellers From Lake Tanganyika"

Chris Carpenter is the vice president of the Grand Valley Aquarium Club in Grand Rapids Michigan. Chris has won awards, such as Breeder of the year, Aquarist of the year, Master Breeder, Old World Cichlid Specialist, and Master. Chris became serious about the world of fish when he gave up drugs, and alcohol almost 11 years ago. He has learned a lot in the last ten years and focused a great deal of his time in the hobby on the cichlids from Lake Tanganyika, particularly the Shell Dwellers. Chris has kept, and bred many of these species, and is honored to have the chance to share what he has learned with you.

My fascination with Lake Tanganyika, and its cichlids started early on in my journey into the aquarium hobby. Many of the cichlids have one-of-a-kind behaviors and appearances. The lake itself holds many wonders. One of its distinct features is the unusual water chemistry. For a freshwater lake, it has an extremely high pH, and high mineral content, leading to a unique phenomenon: “The shell beds of Lake Tanganyika”. Snail shells wash into the shallows, where they’ve collected for thousands of years, creating piles of shells, miles long, and anywhere from 10-30 ft. deep. In any other lake, these shells would slowly dissolve, but in Lake Tanganyika they become harder, and encrusted with calcium.

July 2019 GPASI Swap Meet
Friday July 26th, 2019

Back by popular demand for the July 26th meeting is our Members Swap Meet! Any Member in good standing who wants to sell some of their fish and related items at their set price can have a space to sell from at the meeting. Members and nonmembers are welcome to buy. Doors will open & set up begins at 6:15 PM. Members will have time to mingle and purchase from the swap meet floor until 8:45PM. There will be our regular hard goods raffle and regular auction.  Items for auction need to be labelled per our usual rules and must be on auction table by 9:00 PM.  BAP and AHAP submissions are still welcome and refreshments will be on hand.

Summer Picnic - August 10th
Babbling Brook Grove, North Park

Hi All,

The GPASI summer picnic is going to be at North Park again this year, Same location as last year! Join us Saturday August 10th at the Babbling Brook Grove beginning at 1:00pm. The club will supply burgers, dogs, and drinks. We ask the attending members to bring a side dish or desserts. It is near the lake so bring your fishing and collecting gear (PA license required). There will be raffles for club related products. Please let Steve Grendzinski know what you are bringing so that it is not doubled.

  Steve Grendzinski contact info: email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

August 2019 GPASI Meeting
Friday August 23rd, 2019

Scott Fellman (Tannin Aquatics and Blackwater Aquariums) will be speaking

My name is Scott Fellman, and I’m the consummate “fish nerd”! I bleed saltwater! And yes, I think there’s a lot of freshwater in there, too!

Much of my life centers around tweaking protein skimmers, scraping algae, cleaning up spills, or figuring out how to unglue my fingers. I’ve been keeping marine aquariums since I was a kid, and during that time, I have maintained all sorts of aquariums, fish bowls, plastic boxes, and just about anything that can hold water. My passions are aquascaping and marine biotope aquariums. I love this hobby and the crazy people in it!

I’ve mentored fellow hobbyists for over ten years, starting on Bob Fenner’s WetWebMedia.com site, where I was also Co-Editor of WWM’s Conscientious Aquarist online magazine for a couple of years. In 2006, I served as president the Marine Aquarium Society of Los Angeles County.

I’ve written a number of articles for publications such as the late Freshwater and Marine Aquarium Magazine, Ultramarine UK, Tropical Fish Hobbyist, Marine Fish and Reef USA Annual, and many online venues, such as Reef Addicts, Advanced Aquarist, and Reef Builders, where I've blogged on a variety of reef-related topics from time to time.And of course, Reef2Reef, where we discuss all sorts of crazy reef stuff!

In addition to my writing, I have racked up the frequent-flyer miles, traveling all over the U.S. and internationally, speaking at clubs and events about all sorts of reef-and aquarium-related stuff. I have presented at MACNA XIX in Pittsburgh, MACNA XX in Atlanta, MACNA XI in Atlantic City, MACNA XXII in Orlando, MACNA XXII in Des Moines, MACNA XXIII in Dallas, Miami, as well the old IMAC Conferences in both Chicago and Long Beach. I’ve spoken several times at Reef-a-Palooza in my native So Cal, as well. I keep threatening to complete a book on marine biotope aquaria and aquascaping before this century is over, and I’m sure my aquariums are due for a water change at some point!

I was co-owner of Unique Corals from 2012 until just recently, when I left to pursue other business interests, including my new venture, Tannin Aquatics, a freshwater niche specialty vendor. I still have a pretty active speaking schedule, and will be all over the US this year!

When I’m not trying to replicate the ocean or other aquatic environments in my aquariums, I’m usually surfing in it at my local beach, dining at new restaurants (another great love), watching ice hockey, working in my garden, or cooking

Visit: https://tanninaquatics.com/ 

About Our Meetings

Club Address:    
GPASI
P.O. Box 22452 
Pittsburgh, PA 15222     

Club Email Address:
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DOORS OPEN AT 6:30 PM for those who want to get there a little early to socialize. 

Meeting Starts at 7:30 SHARP!