Touring Florida Aquatic Nurseries | 2012 ALA Convention | The Livebearer Vault

Welcome to The Livebearer Vault, a series from the American Livebearer Association dedicated to preserving the history of the livebearing fish hobby through classic convention presentations, interviews, tours, and other archival footage. In this installment, we travel back to the 2012 American Livebearer Association Convention in Tampa, Florida, where ALA members had the opportunity to tour Florida Aquatic Nurseries and get a behind-the-scenes look at the production of aquatic plants on a commercial scale. Florida Aquatic Nurseries has a remarkable history in the aquarium industry. Founded in 1957 by Dr. William McLane, the company grew from McLane's enthusiasm as an aquatic-plant hobbyist into one of America's leading producers of aquarium plants. Following his death in 1972, his sons Brad and Bruce continued the family business, and in 2005 Brad's son Brandon joined the company, bringing a third generation of the McLane family into Florida Aquatic Nurseries. Over the decades, Florida Aquatic Nurseries has played an important role in introducing new aquatic plants to the aquarium trade. The company has developed and patented new cultivars and has also searched internationally for new species and varieties to introduce to the U.S. aquarium market. The scale of the operation is impressive. According to Florida Aquatic Nurseries, its growing facilities have expanded to approximately 15 acres, including 500 outdoor concrete production tanks, 50 marginal plant beds, and seven greenhouses providing more than 100,000 square feet of growing space. The company also produces more than 250 varieties of water-garden plants and has become known for its work developing new waterlily cultivars. Florida Aquatic Nurseries is a WHOLESALE grower. While hobbyists may encounter their plants at aquarium stores and through other retailers, the nursery itself supplies the aquarium and water-garden trade rather than operating as a traditional retail aquarium shop. Florida Aquatic Nurseries has also been a supporter of the aquarium hobby at the grassroots level. The company supports local hobbyists through donations of plants to aquarium clubs for auctions and other club activities. These donations help clubs raise funds while putting quality aquatic plants directly into the hands of hobbyists. LIVE PLANTS AND THE AQUARIUM Aquatic plants aren't just decoration. In a well-maintained aquarium they can become an important part of the aquarium ecosystem. Live plants can: • Absorb nutrients such as nitrate from the water as they grow • Provide shelter and security for fish • Give fry and juvenile fish places to hide • Provide surfaces for microorganisms and natural foods to develop • Compete with algae for nutrients • Produce oxygen during photosynthesis • Encourage natural behaviors in many species • Create a more natural and visually appealing environment For livebearer keepers in particular, dense plant growth can be extremely useful. Plants provide cover for newborn fry and can allow young fish to survive and grow alongside adults in appropriately managed aquariums. LEARN MORE ABOUT FLORIDA AQUATIC NURSERIES Visit Florida Aquatic Nurseries: https://floridaaquatic.com About Florida Aquatic Nurseries: https://floridaaquatic.com/about ABOUT THE LIVEBEARER VAULT The Livebearer Vault is the American Livebearer Association's archival video series, preserving historic presentations, interviews, convention events, fish room tours, facility tours, and other footage from the history of the ALA and the aquarium hobby. By preserving and sharing this material, we hope today's aquarists—and future generations of fishkeepers—can learn from the people, places, and organizations that helped shape our hobby. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AMERICAN LIVEBEARER ASSOCIATION Website: https://www.livebearers.org YouTube:    / @americanlivebearers   If you enjoy these trips into the history of the aquarium hobby, please LIKE the video, SUBSCRIBE to the American Livebearer Association YouTube channel, and share The Livebearer Vault with other aquarists. #TheLivebearerVault #AmericanLivebearerAssociation #FloridaAquaticNurseries #AquaticPlants #PlantedAquarium #Livebearers #Fishkeeping #AquariumHobby #AquariumHistory #ALAConvention