Roll Call - Please (Re) Introduce Yourself!

[Matt Quinn]

Let's see how many folks are out there!

Please post:

Your name (or username) and hometown
Number of tanks / fish you keep
ACA member or not (and why)
Top couple of ideas to improve the ACA
Thanks much,
Matt

[Matt Quinn]

I'll start:

1) Matt Quinn, Potomac, MD
2) ~50 tanks of (mostly) new world acaras, eartheaters, convicts and chanchitos
3) Member
4) Joining the ACA BOT

Who's next?

[Vaudeville]

Rob Shelby Twp
5 tanks till we move to larger place
Mostly African peavocks and haps
Easier joining methods

[paddysdaddy]

Thanks for posting this and asking important questions, Matt. I encourage everyone reading this forum to respond as each opinion is critical to our continued success.
1. Scott Jackson from central Kentucky
2. Approximately 126 tanks, 6,000 gallons total and keeping Victorians, Madagascars and various SA/CA/Tanganyikan cichlids, Synodontis and other catfish. Yes, catfish.
3. ACA member? Yes because I feel we must band together for the future of our hobby. This reason has not been discussed very much but I feel anyone keeping any pets other than cats and dogs must keep a vigilant eye towards legislation preventing "exotic" animal ownership. As with all laws, blanket terms like "exotic" can be interpreted widely and that is UNequal protection under the law. Just last year a bill was introduced outlawing "exotic" species nationwide and thankfully, this bill was defeated. If a law like this passes, "They won't come for fish", you say? No, not fish first, but eventually "they" will and will use any force necessary to enforce laws. Any proposed law that is defeated will return with a slightly different bent and we must (IMHO) be watchful and be ready to battle with numbers on our side. If this type of law never returns, I'll apologise for being paranoid, but for now, I'll keep company with as many like-minded hobbyists as is possible, so I desire larger membership numbers here.
4. Top ideas to improve the ACA: Reach out, recruit and retain members, I favor atypical members so we may expand our foundation as an organisation-they will recruit their friends, neighbors and family and so on. Targeting young people is crucial because no matter how fervent each of us are, we will not live forever! Secondly, we must find out what current and prospective members WANT so we may better serve those needs within the Mission Statement and Bylaws of our ACA.
Just my opinions, if you disagree, please don't throw old fruit!:D
Thanks again, Matt!

[TKC747]

Hi Matt congrats on being elected to the board!
1. TKC747 Tommy, Queens NY
2. 1 10 gallon with vietnamese white clouds, corydoras panda, 1 betta splendens in a bowl
3. Member (with no cichids at the moment! Drats!)
4. wish I was creative with ideas but I am not.

The reason I have no cichlids is that I have Renal failure and will have to move soon, a 10 gallon is easy to tear down, and in my fish club, not many members keep african cichlids, so I would have trouble rehoming them, which was a challenge when I got rid of my 55 gallon.

...and finally, my "you should post more often" message is gone! YAY!!!

[MikeMann]

1. Mike Mann Twin Cities, MN
2. 10 tanks running will be doubling that soon, keeping SA/CA cichlids
3. Used to be an ACA member but let it lapse when I went on fish hiatus a while back. I have another username here mrmann but was unable to use it due to inability of password recovery software to work properly and give me my forgotten password :(. Will be renewing/redoing membership soon.
4. Agree with above that it is crucial to band together and make sure that we are able to protect our fish from "big brother". Also agree with recruitment of new members.

It's nice to be back here and back into fish with a vengeance :D

[oldcarbuff]

1. Dick Powell; living in Christiansburg, VA (hometown Minneapolis, MN)
2. 87 tanks from 75-2 gallons; 5 varieties of angels, a single discus, Montezumae swordtails; longfin white clouds, Odessa and Pentazona barbs; a few types of corys; and several types of killlies
3. Member, also AKA and CAKC member
4. ???

Many of my tanks are currently empty due partly to health issues, but mostly due to potential job relocation. I actually moved 75 tanks from Minnesota to Virginia, all but 14 in the back of my pickup in one trip! Couldn't do that if all my tanks were for monster cichlids!

[Mikeinco]

Michael Atkins
6 Tanks and have no desire for any more. (126 tanks is totally insane on so many levels)
Member
Getting more AVERAGE hobbiests to join the ACA.

[TKC747]

Michael Atkins
6 Tanks and have no desire for any more. (126 tanks is totally insane on so many levels)
Member
Getting more AVERAGE hobbiests to join the ACA.

Mike, may I suggest to each his own?:huh: If I recall correctly, Scott (Paddysdaddy) drives all the way to Chicago for the GCCA meetings, isn't that right Scott? Kudos to a very devoted Aquarist.:)

Mike, perhaps 6 tanks is a good number for you, what do you keep in them? The number of tanks does not necessily mean anything, just the amount of time and money someone may have...I long for the day that I used to have 5 tanks *sigh* :mad:

[freesoul]

Henry LaClair
8 tanks
SA...CA...Lake Malawi ...LakeTanganyika...West Africa
Member Yes
Having the CARES helping out more with fish selling or trading

[Mikeinco]

Mike, may I suggest to each his own?:huh: If I recall correctly, Scott (Paddysdaddy) drives all the way to Chicago for the GCCA meetings, isn't that right Scott? Kudos to a very devoted Aquarist.:)

Mike, perhaps 6 tanks is a good number for you, what do you keep in them? The number of tanks does not necessily mean anything, just the amount of time and money someone may have...I long for the day that I used to have 5 tanks *sigh* :mad:

How much water do you suppose it takes to maintain 126 tanks? I feel like my 6 tanks is a bit much these days but I'm sure I am in the minority here for even suggesting 126 tanks is insane. Sorry for derailing a really good thread though.

[TKC747]

How much water do you suppose it takes to maintain 126 tanks? I feel like my 6 tanks is a bit much these days but I'm sure I am in the minority here for even suggesting 126 tanks is insane. Sorry for derailing a really good thread though.

Sorry, my fault, let's return to Matt Quinns (dogofwar) line of thought...
1. Who are you,
2. What tanks and species do you keep
3. Are you a member of the ACA
4. How can you make the ACA better?

Mike, I do apologize, and to Matt Quinn as well

[Mikeinco]

Sorry, my fault, let's return to Matt Quinns (dogofwar) line of thought...
1. Who are you,
2. What tanks and species do you keep
3. Are you a member of the ACA
4. How can you make the ACA better?

Mike, I do apologize, and to Matt Quinn as well

And I aploogize too, this really is a good thread, thanks Matt.

[Jimcormier]

Jim Cormier
down to 75 tanks
I keep a little of everything
I am a member, have been a member off and on for 18 years.

[fishandfire]

1. John Winters. Silvis, IL
2. Only 11 tanks right now. Will be tripling within the next year. SA/CA. Madagascar cichlids. Alvarezi swordtails. Few corydoras. One saltwater aquarium (don't judge...it's the wife's. Allowing her to have one permits me to have more. :-) Evil planning!)
3. ACA member
4. Would like to get more of my local club members more involved with the ACA.

[jb1edlover]

JB Edmundson "jb1edlover" Living in Hampton VA... but hometown "San Antonio TX"
84 tanks with mostly Victorians and a few tanks with some wild caught TX Cichlids.
Member
Get more involved with the ACA Cares program...

[Narwhal72]

Andy Hudson Oak Creek, Wi
9 tanks running. 70+ more in storage and waiting to be setup. Keep a little of this, a little of that...
ACA member
Continue to associate and build the relationships between the local clubs and the ACA.

[tjudy]

Ted Judy, Stoughton WI
74 aquariums
ACA member
see 300+ ACA members at the convention in Indianapolis next Summer

[kcmatamata]

Keith Chitwood/Charlotte, NC
20 Fish Aquariums/32 Aquatic Turtle Tanks&Tubs....
Fish- little of this and that. West African Cichlids are a focus.
ACA Member
I'd like to get more of my local hobbist join the ACA.

[Matt Quinn]

No worries at all, folks!

How about a future thread (or BB article) on "How to keep 126 aquariums and not go insane" :) Auto-water changing system?

Matt

And I aploogize too, this really is a good thread, thanks Matt.

[baldtaxguy]

1. Scott Womack, Palatine, Illinois
2. 20 tanks, Amphilophus, Crenicichla, Cichla and convict species, also psittacus
3. Yes
4. ?

[smitty]

Jeffrey Smith (smitty); Philadelphia, PA (City of Brotherly Love)
3 tanks: 150gal Dovi (mating pair); 180gal 8 Managuense; 200gal Amphilophus Hogaboomorum, Vieja Bifasciatus/Synspilum/Zonatum
ACA member

[Pam Chin]

Pam Chin, Northern California

i don't count my tanks, that way I don't know if I have too many or not. We are working with Tanganyika and Malawi, we dabble in Centrals.

Yes I am a member because I love the ACA. It has given me the opportunity to find and keep unique and rare cichlids. It is because of meeting other hobbyists in the ACA that I have had the opportunity to observe cichlids in their natural habitat. I have also made friends for a life time.

The ACA needs to work Species Maintenance, or we won't need an ACA!

Cichlid Power!
Pam

[turfboss]

(1) turfboss (George Cowan) - Severn MD new member now for 7 days
(2) 1-29 gal tank now with Platys and Tetras - 2nd 20 gal tank in process for Cichlids (which my son is giving me - Bumblebees or Convicts - 3rd 50 gal tank being prepared as well for another set of as yet undefined Cichlids.
(3) Member ACA as well as the CCA (Capital Cichlid Assoc) here in the Baltimore Washington Area - I believe supporting these organizations is critical both for their sustainability but also for our own growth in the hobby - taking advantage of others experience - sharing ideas and having a market for buying and selling equipment and livestock.
(4) Find it somewhat difficult to traverse this site - I think new members might be a bit intimidated so a bit more - how do I get started information - might be useful.

[CKcylindricus]

Chuck Krumenacker, Ckcylindricus East Rockaway NY
only 5 tanks mostly SA cichlids, just getting back into the hobby...after 9 years w/o any tanks.....talk about withdrawal....ACA member for the first time in 20yrs, glad to be back

[dreday]

Andres Alvarado, Apollo Beach Fl. (near Tampa)

Around 30 tanks. I just moved this weekend and only have about 16 set up. I have to build some more stands and a recirc system to get everything back up. I keep mostly vics but do have some discus, rams, and geos along with other random SA fish.

Not a member. Never made the plunge.

I am not sure since I have only been apart of local clubs and nothing national.

[Gill Plate]

1. John Krepper Indianapolis, IN.

2. 20 tanks 5) over 100 G and then down to my 7) 20 G for the nursery - Lake Tanganyika cichlids rule

3. I first joined in the 70's and been a member for most of the time since (I was out of the hobby from 1993-2004)

4. Promoting the hobby at local and national levels to protect and preserve our interest. Keeping in mind that we grow by enjoying the hobby and friendships.

[Montbard]

Andrew Scheppler
Martinsburg, WV
10, 20L, 33, 55, 29 and picking up a 75 and 40 today.
Just getting started in Tangs and Malawi.
Joined ACA and CCA about two months ago so just getting my feet underneath me.

[Matt Quinn]

"Not a member. Never made the plunge."

Why not?

Matt (honestly wondering)

Andres Alvarado, Apollo Beach Fl. (near Tampa)

Around 30 tanks. I just moved this weekend and only have about 16 set up. I have to build some more stands and a recirc system to get everything back up. I keep mostly vics but do have some discus, rams, and geos along with other random SA fish.

Not a member. Never made the plunge.

I am not sure since I have only been apart of local clubs and nothing national.

[slimbolen99]

Brian Bolen
Shawnee, KS
Sixteen 75's, twenty-four 10's, and now eight 20 highs; 48 tanks with 1,600 gallons
I keep mostly Apistogramma and Nanochromis, and their companions.

I think I'm a member; I paid last year, but not sure if it's setup on automatic renewal, or if I have to go and do that. Haven't gotten an email from the system to remind me to pay; and it still says ACA Member under my name, so I guess I still am!


I think for 2012, the ACA needs to come together to stream-line processes and procedures for all the various functions. From what it seems, there are a few people doing a LOT of the work. This year I'd like to help with some administrative duties (maybe helping stream-line membership, or setting up an email system for the BOT so they all have @cichlid.org email addresses).

[DogFish]

Brian Bolen
Shawnee, KS
Sixteen 75's, twenty-four 10's, and now eight 20 highs; 48 tanks with 1,600 gallons
I keep mostly Apistogramma and Nanochromis, and their companions.

I think I'm a member; I paid last year, but not sure if it's setup on automatic renewal, or if I have to go and do that. Haven't gotten an email from the system to remind me to pay; and it still says ACA Member under my name, so I guess I still am!


I think for 2012, the ACA needs to come together to stream-line processes and procedures for all the various functions. From what it seems, there are a few people doing a LOT of the work. This year I'd like to help with some administrative duties (maybe helping stream-line membership, or setting up an email system for the BOT so they all have @cichlid.org email addresses).

Hi Brian,

When the Buntbarsche Bulletin is mailed to you assuming that you have regular ($25.00) membership. There is a date that your membership will expire on along with your ACA membership number. This is located above the name and recipient on the envelope the BB is mailed in.

Jim

[Red Tiger]

Russell LaHue
Knoxville, Iowa
15 tanks running mostly amphilophus & astatheros
no
?

[dstuer1950]

Duane Stuermer Milwaukee WI
9 tanks running at the moment.
Paretroplus, Gymnogeophagus, Herichthys, Alcolapia and a few stragglers'
Member, but need to renew.
Also a couple small ponds for the Gymnos and ceibals in summer

[Matt Quinn]

568 views...and less than 30 people who have introduced themselves.

Go ahead, say HI!

Matt

[Nickaronamus]

Ron Felscher -( Nickaronamus) - Lynchburg, Va
8 - Tanks ( Largest Tank is 125 Gallon)
I currently keep Central American Cichlids (a few SA's as Well) and several Tanganyikans.
Two of my new Faves: Theraps Wesseli & Parachromis Motaguensis
Sadly, I believe I am the lone member in my city. Member since about 1999.
I would like to see a monthly email version of the old trading post.
Merry Christmas!
Cichlid Power!

[Decker504]

1. James Decker/New Orleans
2. 17 tanks, Mostly South Americans: FESTAE, Cichla, Crenicichla, Hypselacara, Geos, Red Ceibals w/ some Centrals, Rare Plecos and Predatory Catfish.
3. ACA Member, Trying to go to Indy in 2012
4. Anything to increase membership and traffic on the ACA site, whether it be advertising or lowered rate membership drives, etc.

[dreday]

Well I have been on the forum for about 2 years and did not think the money was worth the BB issue. I did not see much of a benefit to join up. I would if i could make it out to a convention. I missed GA for work, then the next was to far and this year i planed to go but ran out of $$$. I did a lot of traveling this year and just could not afford it.

I should get my membership once i get my tax return this year.

[Matt Quinn]

We're talking $25 for a regular (print) membership and $15 for a web one.

Is that really that much of a "plunge"?

Matt

Well I have been on the forum for about 2 years and did not think the money was worth the BB issue. I did not see much of a benefit to join up. I would if i could make it out to a convention. I missed GA for work, then the next was to far and this year i planed to go but ran out of $$$. I did a lot of traveling this year and just could not afford it.

I should get my membership once i get my tax return this year.

[DogFish]

I should get my membership once i get my tax return this year.


I plan on holding you to this. LOL:D

Jim

[dreday]

when all i do is spend money on fish and the wife is watching me, yes it can be a lot. HA

[jb1edlover]

I'm responsible for about 20 of those views! I go back a couple times a day and read the "new" posts!
JB

[Dean Hougen]

Great thread, Matt!


Dean Hougen, Norman, OK (home of the University of Oklahoma)
11 tanks, from 300 gallons down to 20. I've got plans for another three 20s and maybe a 85 extra tall cube, if I get stands made. Mostly South American cichlids (Satanoperca, Geophagus, 'Geophagus', Biotodoma, Guianacara, Uaru), some catfish (Farlowella, Ancistrus, Hypancistrus, Panaque, Corydoras, Megalechis, Synodontis), and a few miscellaneous.
Yes! Because the ACA rocks.
Besides the ideas I've expressed previously, I think the best idea I have for 2012 is to ask for more input from cichlid enthusiasts, listen carefully to what they say, and judge each idea on its merits.



Dean

[Matt Quinn]

909 views...and about 40 folks have introduced themselves...

Come on folks, take 30 seconds to say hi...whether you're a member or not!

Thanks,
Matt

[Mike Wise]

OK, here's my 30 seconds:
1. Mike Wise, Denver, Colorado
2. 35 tanks running now, mostly 20L & 30L or smaller. My largest are 2, 55s: 1 used for making blackwater, the other for Mugsy, my culling fish - a 16" electric catfish. My primary interests are dwarf cichlids, mostly rare apistos.
3. First joined the ACA in 1983 (Lord, that long ago? Am I really that old??).
4. Keep the conventions reasonably affordable for the average cichlidophile, but don't ask me how.

[Matt Quinn]

Thanks Mike.

We're over 1,000 views... and still only about 40 people have introduced themselves.

Who's next?

Matt

[freesoul]

once again
Henry LaClair Eugen Oregon (go Ducks)
1-Tanganyika Tank
2-Lake Maliwe
1-SA Tank
1 ca Tank
2- West Africa (lake Baronmbi-Mbo)

[Matt Quinn]

Thanks Henry!

We're now past 1,100 views...

Please take 30 seconds and introduce yourself!

Thanks,
Matt

[jgentry]

J.D. Gentry Gallatin, TN
I currently have 23 tanks going that range from a 600g indoor pond to a 20g tanks.

I keep pretty much only cichlids with a few catfish. I keep a little of everything but have mostly madagascar, CA, SA and malawi cichlids.

Not currently a paying member, was for a while and now only pay if I'm going to the conventions. I just do not see that I get anything out of the money if I'm not attending the convention.

A lot of people keep cichlids and are not members, a lot do not even know of the ACA. Many that do think it's just a bunch of grumpy old aquariumist that think they are better then everyone else. The entire atmosphere of the ACA and how people perceive it needs to change or I'm afraid the club is not going to last.

[Tony]

Tony Horos - Gaithersburg, MD
25 or so tanks set up now. Keeping mostly Malawi and Tanganyikan cichlids. Just got into a few cool new world species. A few cool plecos and synos.
I am a member - mostly because of the convention (attended 2010 and 2011 and will be in Indy this year)
With the new year, leave *that* argument in the past. Nothing turns folks off more from a new forum than seeing a bunch of members (who should be friends) crapping on each other over the same old BS.

[Mattman]

Matt Maciejewski
3 tanks-16 gallon, 100 gallon
All sorts of African Cichlids
Making it easier to ask questions (can't tell if anyone replies to me)

[riftlaker]

1. Matt Anderson-Mason City, IA
2. 15 tanks South American and Tanganyikan cichlids
3. life member
4. increase membership
love to attend the annual convention

[dakwas1940]

Hi,
Dennis Kwas, newbie. Glendale Hgts., IL
1 55 gal. First Cichlids purchased this mo., 5 Yellow Lab. Added 3 male Ciclids since.
ACA Member

Looking forward to the challenge..

[jonclark96]

Jon Clark - Frederick, MD
12 tanks, ranging from 180 to 5 gallons, mostly New Worlds with one Mbuna tank.
ACA member - I joined a few years ago.
We need to get the website open and active. I check for new messages everyday, but there are rarely many things worth reading.

[Matt Quinn]

I count a total of 34 people who have invested the moment to introduce themselves (thank you!)...and over 1,300 views...

Come on folks!

Thanks,
Matt

[notho2000]

I'm Jim Cumming (notho2000) from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada



I'm presently maintaining 42 tanks housing CAs, SAs and Madagascans.



Was a long time member of the ACA in the 80s and 90s. Presently the value of the ACA to me in Canada is very limited. The Internet is the vast resource for information. I can get all the desirable fish I want through Spencer Jack at AFISHionados. Also moving fish across the border either way is prohibitive. The online ACA for me is a way of keeping in touch with developments in the hobby.
Really wondering how the CARES program works effectively to distribute fish. I maintain several fish on the CARES list and can't really distribute them outside Canada. And I have little idea as to how to obtain a species.

[Gerry]

Gerry Verrier from Winnipeg, Canada.

6 tanks ranging from 72 gallon bow front to 360 gallon.

Currently keeping mostly asian arowanas and datnoides but do keep a pair of heroes notatus, a group of pike cichlids and what's left of my group of V. Melanurus that I got from Rusty W. Did extensive breeding of various tropheus variants in the recent past.

I am an ACA member for the purpose of supporting the CARES programs. Otherwise as Jim stated, the ACA offers very little value to me as a Canadian.

Would like to see an occasional ACA event in Canada or more than one event in the US of A. I do think a lot of what can be said has been said on line and I certainly think people would value meeting face to face as opposed to being online. I know so many knowledgeable people who want nothing to do with the internet, mainly due to flaming nut jobs.

Cheers.

[andregurov]

---- James McPherson (andregurov) from New Orleans, Louisiana

---- 13 tanks (and 1 outdoor pond) of about 900 gallons, with plans to set up more small tanks to raise livebearers; I mostly keep large Asian cyprinids and oddballs along with some Central American cichlids and Madagascar cichlids. I'd love to get back into Crenicichla ... so many new and fascinating species are available. My heartbeat is Herichthys, though.

---- I am not currently an ACA member, although I had been for several years. For some reason my last membership didn't result in any BB ... and I used to count on that to remind me to renew. I'll renew today. {And maybe get my BBs?}

---- I've never been able to go to an ACA convention, so although I'd list that as a reason for joining, it really isn't. I did make it to the FOTAS convention this year, and that whetted my appetite to "hang" out with people with similar interests, and get some cichlids back in my tanks. How to make the ACA more attractive? I dunno. But energizing the Trading Post (and encouraging members to post in it!) would help! The only thing more exciting than learning about a new species ... is acquiring it.

ADDENDUM: I hoped to meet more local ACA members via the forum; that hasn't happened. Are there just no Louisiana members (outside of Decker504)?

[finnyas]

Jim Davie,Van Etten,NY
20 tanks ,60 in storage
Mostly Haps and Mbuna,some Tangs, but moving towards Victorians
ACAmember, good resource for information and the convention is a blst

[Cichlidfever]

Carl Talley, Bowie MD.
3 Tanks; (360 gallons, 100 gallon & 90 gallons) Central/South American Cichlids
ACA member good information & networking
Not sure how to make it better; it would be nice if it was more activity on the site. A lot of members, but not very many post on a day to day basis :(

[Matt Quinn]

Thanks for introducing yourself, folks!

Anyone else?

Thanks,
Matt

[Mikeinco]

Thanks for introducing yourself, folks!

Anyone else?

Thanks,
Matt

Matt, maybe now we should start a thread on benefits or potential bendfits of being an ACA member? Seems like several people have mentioned that it isn't worth it to join. What could we do to change this mindset? I have to admit the real reason I am a member is to support the club and not because of the BB. I propose letting potential members forfeit the BB and somehow or another give directly to CARES or another area needing funds. In other words, let them decide how they want their membership dues used. It would interesting to know how many actually read the BB? I could see a huge increase in revenue if ACA membership is placed in sometype of donation basis and members or potential members give moneys to various club conservation efforts. I would feel good about that. Does all the money collected in membership dues go towards funding the BB?

[jb1edlover]

Man I must be sick, I'm agreeing with Mike on this one......!! Seriously I haven't even received my BB in the last 2 yrs. I think it must be going to my old address, which is fine. While the BB no doubt is a great piece of literature I don't like reading anyway! I would definately like to see my dues go to the CARES side of things. I would gladly forfiet my BB and just use the electronic version, not that I'd read that either!

JB

[blaciarmd]

Happy New Year!!!

[d_frag]

After my self imposed hiatus from all things the ACA...

1. David Fraguglia, Santa Clara, Ca
2. 7 filled, 36 in storage, a smattering of everything.
3. Indeed a member, oft wondering why.
4. Make me go back through my notes will ya. Soon.

frog

[Matt Quinn]

Thanks to everyone who has posted.

Some great points and I agree that we should start threads on some of the opportunities for improvement that have been identified.

I think my biggest concern is the lack of engagement from such a large segment of the membership.

It would appear that a lot of people come to the site...and view this thread (lots of hits), but relatively few people are willing to introduce themselves.

Matt

[tiedyeman]

1. Bruce Haynes; South Bend, IN
2. 43 tanks, mostly New World species --no tank busters, biggest tanks are 75 gallons. Also have some West African species.
3. Being a member of the ACA supports our hobby on so many levels.
4. Perhaps have smaller regional satellites of the ACA that meets regularly and reports back to the larger organization---sort of like the 50 states in the union. :)

[jb1edlover]

Bruce I like it... I think the ACA should have more "smaller" functions at regional levels and then the big "convention". I'd vote for that in a heartbeat. While not an ACA sanctioned event the HCCC had a FOTAS event in Nov. which was very similar in feel to the ACA Convention. Great speaker line-up and a good number of the ACA convention go'ers anyway. I can't speak for everyone but sometimes a yearly activity doesn't keep folks energized enough. Based on what I've read and I've read these posts 2-3 times folks only join for the convention, so you want more to join then have more conventions, even if they are "mini" ones.
Something to consider.
JB

[Aspencer]

1. Leo Tsou, Bend Oregon
2. 3 tanks running, two in classroom and one at home
1. 10 g long planted with Endlers
2. 20 g planted with Kribensis and Xray tetras
3. At home, 55g planted with Mbipia cf lutea
3. Recently a new member on Pam Chin's rec
4. Like Pam, I believe in species maintenance (gives a good real concrete reason to keep fish) and member outreach to those who, like me, did not know that such organizations exist until pointed in that direction.

[Lisachromis]

Please post:

Your name (or username) and hometown - Lisachromis, Ontario Canada
Number of tanks / fish you keep - Ummmm, over 30, and no idea on how many fish. :)
ACA member or not (and why) - Life member, why would you not want to support a group that you're interested in??
Top couple of ideas to improve the ACA - That's pretty tough. I find many members of ACA are quite resistant to any change. We definitely need some younger members joining up.

[Mikeinco]

Man I must be sick, I'm agreeing with Mike on this one......!! Seriously I haven't even received my BB in the last 2 yrs. I think it must be going to my old address, which is fine. While the BB no doubt is a great piece of literature I don't like reading anyway! I would definately like to see my dues go to the CARES side of things. I would gladly forfiet my BB and just use the electronic version, not that I'd read that either!

JB

Well I've always suspected there was something wrong with you. Hope you get well soon. Seriously though, I love the smaller regional satellites of the ACA idea. Could be a great way to increase membership if done properly.

[Dean Hougen]

1. Leo Tsou, Bend Oregon
2. 3 tanks running, two in classroom and one at home
1. 10 g long planted with Endlers
2. 20 g planted with Kribensis and Xray tetras
3. At home, 55g planted with Mbipia cf lutea
3. Recently a new member on Pam Chin's rec
4. Like Pam, I believe in species maintenance (gives a good real concrete reason to keep fish) and member outreach to those who, like me, did not know that such organizations exist until pointed in that direction.

Way to go Pam! And welcome Leo!


Dean

[Dean Hougen]

... Seriously though, I love the smaller regional satellites of the ACA idea. Could be a great way to increase membership if done properly.

At the risk of causing the universe to collapse on itself, I wholeheartedly agree with you.


Dean

[jb1edlover]

Dean it just stands to reason.... the biggest obstacle to the ACA is cost.... last year I was blessed with ACA being in Washington DC since I lived 3 hours away! The economy is tough out there and folks may not have the extra money to take off across the country. I don't think having some smaller regional things is going to keep the "ACA Conventionalist" from the annual convention! However I do think it will give a nice boost to the membership and maybe get the numbers headed in the right direction. This is something to think about. If we treat these regional meetings like "recruiting tools" and get the word out to folks it should be to our benefit. I don't know if a 4-5 day event is needed but a Friday-Saturday (Sunday auction) deal would be great. Maybe get a couple of ACA speakers along with some "local" to the region talent to speak you could do wonders with this idea. Maybe just getting some folks on board to set up a booth at some of the other events would be a good idea. At the HCCC Fotas we had a pretty darn good turnout but no real way to "promote" the ACA at all. Again most of the folks were ACA anyway but I'd say we probably had 50 people I'd never seen before at the auction on Sunday and a good 20+ during the convention.
JB

[Narwhal72]

Remember that the ACA does not actually put on the convention. The host club does. Finding clubs that would be willing to put on these regional mini conventions would be difficult to say the least. The larger clubs already put on their own mini conventions and the smaller ones don't have the manpower to do it.

I suggested last year that we have regional ACA "meets" at restaurants for lunch or dinner with some of the BOT (possibly tied in with a local club event such as a swap or auction). But there wasn't much support for it.

And you don't have to go to the convention to be a member of the ACA. So I would not consider $15 a year (electronic membership) a serious cost obstacle.

If you are only in the ACA to go to an auction then the ACA isn't the right organization for you as that is really a benefit of a local organization.

Andy

[jb1edlover]

Andy I agree that $15 isn't a big obstacle for joining the ACA the problem is people aren't. We need to figure out a way to get them to join and then get them to stay. Even at local small levels we seem to get a big interest on forums around "auction time." Once you get these folks at the auctions you have to give them something to make them want to stick around. They hybrid debate was ugly but it's died down so we need to try to take this "calm" period and try to do some growing!
I also agree what you don't have to go to the convention to be a member...however read the responses on this thread, one of the reasons folks didn't join was because they felt the convention wasn't enough reason to join....
JB

[Narwhal72]

Every club gets a bump around auction or swap time. Every MAS auction I see 30-40 people I never see any other time.

Maybe it's just me but I joined the ACA because I wanted to put something into the hobby, increase my cichlid knowledge (thanks to the BB!), and make new friends. Not for the auction or even the convention.

If it came down to it a smaller organization of selfless individuals working to better the hobby and preserve cichlids and cichlid habitat or a large organization of empty shirts looking for cheap fish, I will take the former.

Quality is more important than quantity.

Andy

[jgentry]

I keep hearing that $15 or $25 isn't much? While it is not a large amount of money to me I feel like I get nothing for that money so why spend it. I personally feel like the ACA is nothing but a convention. While the convention is great if I'm not going to it I get nothing for that money.

I originally joined the ACA because that is were I thought most of the cichlid specialists were at. The people that were collecting the fish, researching them in the wild, conserving habit, breeding newly collected cichlids to supply to other hobbiest, speaking at the convention, etc. I quickly found that these folks mainly are only at the conventions. They are almost never online here and hardly contribute. Also seldom are new fry available because they prefer to sell them to distributers rather then trade with ACA hobbiest.

To me that shows that the very speakers at most of the conventions do not believe in the ACA or it's cuase. They are generally never around, seems like conserving wild type cichlids would also involve getting them out to other hobbiest to continue the breeding. That generally does not occur either. A few people do, but not many. I will gladly ship fry to anyone on here for the price of shipping and I have before several times. Everyone wants to have the next hot thing or try to make money off there fry now. The fellowship is long gone!!!

[Aspencer]

I think there is a group of people, this is how I became an ACA member, that would welcome a reason to keep fish not that doing it for a hobby is not a real reason. When I first met Pam, she gave me the idea and then a couple of clubs that I could hang around and then, when opportunity knocked, got envolved with maintaining a line that was endangered.

As I met folks on-line and exchanging information, they became interested in doing the same thing. They just didn't know that such a thing existed. It might be a good idea to start some kind of outreach to people who are knowledeable about fish but not deeply into the hobby and excited to do more.

I hope I am not being to nieve.

[jonclark96]

I keep hearing that $15 or $25 isn't much? While it is not a large amount of money to me I feel like I get nothing for that money so why spend it. I personally feel like the ACA is nothing but a convention. While the convention is great if I'm not going to it I get nothing for that money.

I originally joined the ACA because that is were I thought most of the cichlid specialists were at. The people that were collecting the fish, researching them in the wild, conserving habit, breeding newly collected cichlids to supply to other hobbiest, speaking at the convention, etc. I quickly found that these folks mainly are only at the conventions. They are almost never online here and hardly contribute. Also seldom are new fry available because they prefer to sell them to distributers rather then trade with ACA hobbiest.

To me that shows that the very speakers at most of the conventions do not believe in the ACA or it's cuase. They are generally never around, seems like conserving wild type cichlids would also involve getting them out to other hobbiest to continue the breeding. That generally does not occur either. A few people do, but not many. I will gladly ship fry to anyone on here for the price of shipping and I have before several times. Everyone wants to have the next hot thing or try to make money off there fry now. The fellowship is long gone!!!

Well said JD. I agree 100%.

[Mikeinco]

I'm amazed at how many people, even on other forums that have no knowledge of the ACA. I have even asked some of my LFS's if they are members and even they have no idea what the ACA is or what it stands for. How is that even possible? If you have a shop and are selling Cichlids you should at least have a vague knowledge of the ACA, at least in my opinion.

[Nwatson]

1) Nwatson

2) 6 tanks currently running and working on the 7th. Pair of Dovii, pair of Managuense, male Umbee, grow out A. Labiatus (5) , grow out Festa (6).

3) Yes

4) Ideas...tough. I like the experience and knowledge on this site as opposed to others. It seems there is less floaters on here and less promotion as "hype".....people trying to make money off the hobby. I'm more into the larger species as of now but don't think anything less of smaller species. This site does not seem to be that active.....that is the slight knock against it.

Without much thought the design seems to be out of date.... "redesigned". There needs to be more pulled in to expand the site. Then you will get floaters. I don't know just a few thoughts

The more that participate the better.........in a way. I know I did not answer the most important question, at least you have my thoughts.

[richb]

Hi All,

Congrats on your board position, Matt. It is nice to see you busy in the aquarium hobby (sadly on the opposite coast).

I have about 110 tanks, ranging from 10 to 1,000 gallons plus a 4,000 gallon tub.

I have Old World (Africa and Madagascar), New World (both Central and South America) cichlids.
Lots of CARES fish. Would like to see the program overhauled to be easier for local clubs to use.
I also keep a bit of everything else, wild-type livebearers, cories, plecos, big predatory cats, synos, Tang eels, rainbows, and oddballs.

[Lotsapetsgarfhts]

John Chapek
Maple Heights, Ohio
about 30 tanks mostly Killifish but I am getting back into Eartheaters and some other South & Central Americans again. I've been a member int the past and paid my dues today. I also hybridize daylilys as a hobby. I can't really make any suggestions about the ACA at this time I have not been a member in quite a few years. Any of my old friends PLEASE feel free to message me I would love to hear from you.

[Lido]

My name is Lido or Casey
I am from Orange County California
I keep 4 tanks and have a few different Cichlids but looking to get into breeding some of the more rare ones
and i am not a member yet but plan on it.

[Dean Hougen]

Welcome Lido/Casey!


Dean

[KevinB]

1.) KevinB = Kevin Bauman, Columbus, OH

2.) 20 tanks set up at the moment (from 180 to 10 gallon), plus a few empty spares. A few mbuna but almost exclusively Victorians now.

3.) I’ve been an ACA member for a lot of years but my membership frequently runs out because I just don’t pay all that much attention to the expiration date on the BB. Considering all the time and money I invest in this hobby, why would I not become a member of a group of like-minded people that promote the hobby. The BB is nice and the conventions are fun, (although pretty much the same activities every year) and have very little to do with being willing to throw a few bucks toward the ACA every year.

4.) a.) If I don’t renew a magazine subscription I get lots of reminders. If I forget to renew my ACA membership there is dead silence.
b.) I’m not sure if the ACA web site has any chance at all to be relevant to many people. This web site came late to the party and other sites already served the needs of the average hobbyist. Besides, ACA members are more experienced than the average hobbyist and ask fewer questions generating fewer posts. The fights about hybrids have mercifully died down but the boring ACA self-examination posts remain. (I mean really...the banner on the web site still advertises last years convention.)
c.) Ask yourself this. Would a relatively new hobbyist attending his/her first ACA convention feel that they are actually a part of a group, or would they feel like a person surrounded by a crowd of longtime friends they didn’t know? It’s true that everyone at the conventions are indeed very friendly, yet there is a cliquish feel to some things (like the inside jokes at the awards dinner.)

The ACA is what it is and I’m okay with that. It’s run by volunteers that generously give of their time for a hobby we all love. I’ll continue to enjoy the benefits of membership and continue to support the organization financially.

[Matt Quinn]

Thanks for the feedback, Kevin...

Anyone else?

Matt

[bsommer]

Bernie Sommer
bsommer
Grand Island, NE
2 - tanks. One Tanganyika and one salt water. I would have more tanks, but we had a house fire due to a ballast in one of the florescent lights failing. My wife is an Angel for letting me get back into fish.
Yes - ACA Member
My suggestion to improve the ACA. The web site is hard for me to get around. It might just be me. There needs to be a way to get directly to certain things like ACA Convention information and memberships or renewals. I really enjoy Cichlids. My son has cichlids also.

[Florent de Gasperis]

Hi !

1, Florent de Gasperis from France

2, Variable number of tanks, now only 6 but a lot in my mind for future. Mainly interested in south american and west african cichlids

3, new ACA member this year, I want to read the BB but I'am still awaiting my membership number (if somebody read this :rolleyes: )

4, wait and see :D

[Alleycat]

Alleycat aka Glen Mason, SW Ohio
50+ tanks (5g -150g), 98% Tanganyikans, 2% BAP fish
Became a member in 08 or 09, did not renew last year, but will at the convention in Indy! I can't wait!!!
Notify me when my membership has lapsed. As well as being a GCAS member, I belong to 4 clubs, and re-new when I visit for an event. I missed the convention last year... I also stopped frequenting this site when no one answered questions posted on the forum. I went elsewhere, no biggie. However, I think KevinB summed it up best, the ACA is what it is, and run by volunteers who donate their personal time. I thank those folks who do. Without them, the club would not be what it is today.

[hicks_fish]

1. Bob Hicks, North New Jersey
2. 50+ (mostly small) tanks, wide variety of fish
3. New member, but have been planning to join for a while
4. I'd love to see some closer partnerships or joint programs between the national and local level clubs. For just one example, maybe a national level BAP recognition program that's administered by the local club BAP.

[paddysdaddy]

We have yet to hear from the guy with 200 tanks, the one with 600 tanks or the fellow "up north" with 16,000 gallons in his custom home. All of these examples are at the owner's residence, not their place of business. These are just folks I've spoken with, and I don't know many so there are many many more avid fish keepers out there, all of these folks are ACA members, two post here a few times a year.
Why would we NOT hear from them?
Not calling these guys out, just curious why some of the biggest have remained silent...They have huge amounts of information and experience under their belts.

[Jack D]

Jack from SW Ohio
23 tanks @ the moment, mostly African cichlids w/ a couple SA's & a couple pleco species
New member
I am new to the ACA so I am still feeling my way around...

[kitty2234]

Hi Friends,

I am very new to this site and will be joining the ACA very soon. Hello Everyone!! I have 5 yellow labs at this time and a large collection of sailfin mollies, catfish, plecos, and cory cats.

I am hoping to get more yellow labs, since I am concerned that the ones that I bought are probably closely related to each other. I still do not know which sexes that I have, yet. But, either way I will need more females.

I plan to start a multiple style business. So far, I have begun the tropical fish raising. I am working on creating my own color of Sailfin Mollies. (I still have a long ways to go). I am working on creating a black body with an orange head.

kitty2234

[Andy100]

Cichlid friends

Andy Young
Guildford
Surrey
For my American pals 30 miles from London
12 tanks
into Centrals, for 30 years
Would love to see ACA style convention in the UK
and would love to attend the ACA (oneday)
paid up member

Andy

[mlancaster]

Hi All,

1. Matt from Morro Bay, CA

2. 4 tanks - my favorites are new world cichlids

3. ACA Member

4.A. I am a huge fan of the Buntbarsche Bulletin; therefore, I would suggest a continued focus and effort for printing high quality articles on a timely basis.

4.B. I also like the sharing fry by mail threads, weather for C.A.R.E.S. or not. Being an online club and that many cannot make it to the conventions, I believe there should be continued efforts for affordable sharing of fry amongst members through the mail.

Thanks,
Matt

[Jshakour]

1. James Shakour
2. 22 tanks and counting mainly Malawi's
3. ACA member
4. Just joined and I am very excited!

I am also a member of the Ohio Cichlid Association.

[williemcd]

Bill in Richmond, Va.
Back into the hobby now 13 months. After a 20 year hiatus.
10 Tanks, 700 gallons with about 300g more awaiting me to tap into my electrical service panel to provide for lighting/heating and filtration. Also will be running a hot/cold water source to my "man-cave" aka, garage. This bucket brigade process is driving me nuts!

Angels and Discus and German Blue Rams with compatible community fish. (3 pair of Angels that are steady breeders)
Not a member at this time and won't be until I start selling off some of the Angel fry. (1st batch was spawned Thanksgiving Day.. )
How to make ACA better? On my local fish club, less than a year old, I've begun posting articles I've developed thru my own research on the web. My latest is "Fry Foods" in which I write up the care/culture and benefits of Micro Worms. Next will be BBS, Vinegar Eels, etc.
I plan on selecting an advanced topic for my next thread.
I'd like to see the Beginners section expanded to provide a knowledge platform to address the most basic issues newbies face up to care and breeding of the various specie of fish that beginners normally start with.
Bill

[Dwarfophile]

Don, also in Richmond area.

I've been keeping tropical fish on and off 30+ years. Mostly cichlids.

I have two setups right now. A 55g and a 29g. Both planted. Apistogramma cacatuoides "double red", Keyholes and compatible tetras/cories. Nothing really exotic.

More Buntbarsche Bulletins please (ACA member).

[THEONLYSONIC]

theonlysonic-Moreno valley , CA
2 / variety of cichlids
not a member new to cichlids
none

[Shay]

Shay - Lebanon,OR - have kept fish for 40 years now though not always cichlids that addiction started later and been my primary focus for the last 10+
South Americans, Mbuna, Tang, Westerns, Vics and various other fish
35+tanks
Not a member yet but I will be joining
Don't have a suggestion for "making it better" but would like to thank the person who posted the info to get my C.A.R.E.S. fish registered

[Leigha2179]

Leigha, Nolanville, TX
One 125 gal. tank...just starting it this month.
Just joined today, because I want to learn as much as I can to keep the fishies I love happy and healthy by speaking to others who also love cichlids.

This weekend we put water in the tank...new tank, new canister filter, new everything. I'm a bit nervy! :mellow:I have not purchased our new additions to the family yet. Trying to make sure I've got everything right and running. Still have a bit of learning to do before we get a couple or so to make sure everyone gets along...don't want to get someone and add someone else without knowing they'll get along and end up being an accessory to murder. lol

[SpokaniteMike]

1 - 75 gal (Just getting set up again after a few years on the move.
New Member - as of today.

Have kept tropicals on and off over last 40 years - mostly community tanks, including some of the peaceful SA cichlids. Going to give Africans a go this time.

Recently moved to Spokane - Eastern Washington state. Anyone know of any good local fish stores in the area?

[JanS]

Great thread!

Your name (or username) and hometown - Jan Schmid, Hibbing, MN.
Number of tanks / fish you keep - 13 tanks and how many fish I have no idea.
ACA member or not (and why) - Member since 2003 and counting
Top couple of ideas to improve the ACA - I think things are run pretty efficiently as it is, but maybe some beginner guides for new people getting into Cichlids would help promote the org and keep people interested.