[GSAS-Member] Passing it on

[clayton anderson <naturalart@earthlink.net>]

On 12/07, after many emails back and forth and up and down, Christine 
Reneggar and I finally got together to head down to Ed Stansbury's 
place in Lacey to retrieve what was left of his fishroom. The day 
started out fairly nice considering it being December in seattle. It 
was partly cloudy but pleasant. On the ride down Christine mentioned 
that Ed had told her that it was raining "cats and dogs" down at his 
house. We couldn't believe it considering what we saw out the minivan 
windows: rolling clouds, but nothing threatening. But sure enough, 
about a mile from his house, the showers started. Upon arriving at the 
end of the cul-de-sac we were pleasantly, greeted, despite the showers, 
by the shores of Long lake. Eds house was waterfront and peaceful. We 
knocked on the door a few times, and initially the pet dog answered; 
who wanted nothing more than to play with us through the storm door's 
colored glass until Ed showed up. The dog turned out to be a beautiful 
black and white standard poodle. It was the first time Christine or I 
had ever seen that color combination on a poodle. Beautiful dog.
        Ed suggested that we come around to the lower back end of the house 
which faced the lake. The route down was a rain soaked lawn which gave 
me and Christine some trepidation. If she got stuck that would be a 
problem. Ed reassured us that everything would be fine, that 'the 
substrate was firm enough and not to worry'. We slowly pulled down and 
Ed showed us the pile of tanks and materials that needed to go. He then 
gave us a tour of what use to be his old fishroom. An @14'x14' room 
lined (ceiling and walls) with insulated sheetrock. With that type of 
insulation, Ed said that the 2 simple shoplights overhead were enough 
to heat the room to tropical temps. He also explained the huge, purely 
mechanical water changing system he'd built from scratch himself. From 
what I could understand it sounded like a huge toilet flushing system, 
with float valve(s) connected to the constant pressure of the houses 
supply line(s). Ed's father was in the hobby as well and passed alot of 
his experience on to Ed. Because Ed is from the 'old school' he 
remembers when aquarist had to make most everything they needed; 
including submersible heaters! Ed had been in the hobby for 45yrs.! 
which is a long time to be involved in anything! He said he has bred @ 
100 species in his time. And considering his in depth knowledge and the 
amount of energy he has devoted to the hobby I dont doubt it. A couple 
of Eds 'mainstay' species were angels and cories. Ed also has written 
extensively about his experience in the hobby and has been widely 
published through many books, pamphlets and trade magazines. Ed then 
showed us what was once his expansive library/office. We marveled at 
the huge card catalogue he kept, cross referencing  hundreds of 
tropical fish mag articles he has since sold off. Since the computer, 
how many of us still remember card catalogues? (man, do I feel old).
        As we continued to talk about other subjects in the hobby, we 
proceeded to load the tanks and all the other 'aquastuff' into 
Christines van. Christine had brought a bunch of blankets and Ed 
donated old styrofoam boards for packing materials. In the beginning we 
were very efficient; nesting tanks inside tanks and more stuff inside 
that. Toward the end as we packed toward the ceiling we were just 
jamming stuff anywhere we could, and Christine and I laughed at our 
slowly eroding packing job. Ed kept coming up with more cool stuff I 
felt any respectable aquarist (well, actually I) couldn't say no to. 
And Christine started to give me that look of 'I think we've got 
enough'. To our surprise we were able to get everything in. I asked Ed 
one last time if he would come up to a club meeting and give a 
presentation; and after he declined one last time he explained that he 
had done plenty of that sort of thing in the past and with the schedule 
he keeps now he just didn't have the extra time. After exchanging 
appreciations, expressing our thanks and taking one last look out over 
placid Long lake Christine and I again waved goodbye  to Ed and his 
poodle and worriedly drove up the wet lawn without stopping (for fear 
of getting stuck!) and out of the cul-de-sac. After stopping to pickup 
a packing box at the local grocery store Christine broke out some 
homemade chai which was delicious and just what the doctor ordered. It 
gave us enough energy to get back to Seattle just in time for the 
Seahawks 'after party' wall to wall traffic. But Christine handled our 
juggernaut like captain kirk and we got through slowly but safely.
        Volunteering to help with this project was very satisfying. Not only 
are we doing out part for a 'green economy' recycling/reusing used 
materials, I had the good fortune to meet a great guy and fellow 
aquarist. So I hope the next time fellow GSAS aquarist and club members 
are looking at, refurbishing or using the tanks etc. that Ed has passed 
on to the club, maybe we can appreciate the many years of service that 
tank, pump or whatever has seen and the history we're building on.

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