Planted aquariums are currently seeing a boom in popularity in the hobby with a steady evolution of tanks simply used to grow plants to spectacular aquascapes with creative use of plants and hardscape materials to replicate nature.  The presentation will discuss the use of artistic principles, describe different styles of aquascaping, and then provide recommendations on the best ways to create an easy and successful aquascape anyone can enjoy in their own homes.

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Bailin Shaw's first Christmas gift was an aquarium given to him when he was 3 years old and he has kept a fish tank off and on since that day.  To get some relief from the drudgery of graduate school, he became interested in planted tanks and has since been passionate about promoting this aspect of the hobby.  He is a co-founder and current president of the Chicago Aquatic Plant Society and a board member for the Aquatic Gardeners Association, where he has served as a judge and the chair of the AGA International Aquascaping Contest since 2007.  Prior to that he also co-founded the Oklahoma Aquarium Association (formerly Oklahoma City Aquarium Association), Dallas Fort-Worth Aquatic Plant Club, and the New England Aquatic Plant Society, having served as the president for each organization while residing in each state.  Professionally, he is a research scientist where he studies cancer biology and is an avid gardener when he's not tinkering in his tanks.