Improving the aquarium hobby by sharing knowledge and promoting conservation since 1967.
The Durham Region Aquarium Society (DRAS) was established in September of 1966 to assist in the advancement and improvement of the aquarium hobbyist. We held our first annual show and created a monthly bulletin in 1967. Today we continue that tradition with monthly events, an annual mega-auction and dinner DRAS also works with local, national, and international aquatic organizations toward the shared goal of conservation.
Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Speaker: Mike Majer
*****NEW LOCATION*****
Doors open at 7pm | Meeting begins at 7:30pm
Speaker begins at 8pm | Auction begins at 9pm
(times are approximate)
“The Aquatic Redneck!”
Mike has been working at Big Als Hamilton for over 18 years. A member of the Hamilton & District Aquarium Society. He has held or currently holds these postions on HDAS executive: VP (currently and past), President and Sponsorship and Donation Chairman. He is also jumped into the auctioneer roles too for Hamilton and St. Catharine’s and is getting certified as a show judge in the future. Mike has entered into the world of guest speaking and as he likes to put humor in his presentations and was asked to do an all humor presentation and the Aquatic Redneck was born.
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Meetings are in person
75 Bayly Street, Ajax, ON
PLEASE SEE FLYER AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE FOR MORE DETAILS
Paid DRAS members can access the talk on zoom if unable to make it in person (zoom waiting room enabled).
NEW** This meeting will be recorded and can be sent to paid DRAS members who are unable to watch live!
PLUS:
Monthly Auction
Fish in a Bag Game (Sponsored by Big Al’s Whitby)
Upcoming Meetings/Events
(Monthly Meetings take place at a NEW LOCATION! 75 Bayly Street West, Ajax, ON)
March 10, 2026: Mike Majer: Aquatic Redneck
April 12, 2026: Aquariama Expo
April 14, 2026: Franky Sebastiao: Live Aquascaping
May 12, 2026: Elections and Henry Yu: Live Cultures
June 9, 2026: SpeakerTBD
May 23, 2026; Annual Dinner @ the Toronto Zoo
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ITEMS aVAILABLE aT mONTHLY MEETINGS:
Preorders of bags or fish food is always encouraged so we can ensure we bring enough to the meeting.
email contact.dras@gmail.com to place your order
Sera Vipan Flake (bulk food from Angelfins)
This flake is a mix of earthworm, vitamin booster and egg fish flakes and it is designed to produce speedy growth of your juvenile fish.
1 pound (453 g) = $40
200 g = $20
100 g = $10
Cichlet Pellets 1 kg = $40
Kelp Wafers 400g = $20
Brine Shrimp Eggs = $5
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FISH BAGS
Sizes and $ are as follows:
25 - 2 mL 4 x 18” $2
50 - 2 mL 6 x 18” $6
25 - 2.25 mL 8 x 18” $4
25 - 2.25 mL 10 x 20” $5
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Contest 1:
BAP Contest Running until our June meeting $100 Gift card
BAP CONTEST RULES:
You must be a paid member
Fill out the form https://www.dras.ca/conservation to enter
Points are awarded using the BAP point system
Fish must be added to the BAP (BAP rules apply)
If you have already bred that species for BAP you can still get the points for that species for the contest
There will be a separate section for points then BAP on the website
Advertise on our fb page or band what fish you are bringing in to try get more money for your fish and draw people in
If you have any questions you can email contact.dras@gmail.com
Contest 2:
Best Tank Contest Running until our June meeting $100 Gift card
BEST TANK RULES:
1. Eligibility and How to Enter
Open to all club members in good standing
Three entries per household
Send a video that shows you with your tank(s) to contact.dras@gmail.com in order to prove the tank is yours and at your home
Also email a photo that can be printed and used for judging purposes
Each entry will receive a number in order to remain anonymous during judging
2. Aquarium Size/Type
Tank can be any size
Freshwater or saltwater
3. Aquarium Setup
There are no restrictions other than the following:
Fish must be healthy, well-cared-for, and suitable for the size of the aquarium (at the discretion of the Executive)
No harmful or invasive species (as per the Ontario Invasive Species Act)
4. Judging Process
The contest will take place during the Year-End Club Meeting in June 2026 from 7pm, when the doors open, to 8pm, when the meeting starts
The winners will be announced before the end of the meeting
All members will participate in judging by voting for their favorite tank
Members can only vote once, and they should not vote for their own tank
Photos will be numbered to ensure anonymity
5. Judging Criteria
Members should consider the following when choosing their favourite tank:
Aesthetic Appeal: Visual harmony, design, creativity etc.
Aquarium Health: Water clarity, plant health, fish wellbeing etc.
Aquarium Knowledge: Proper fish and plant species selection, equipment choice
Maintenance & Cleanliness: Overall cleanliness and organization of the tank
6. Prizes
Prize of a $100 gift card to a sponsor of your choice will be awarded to the First-Place winner
7. Deadline
All entries must be submitted by the May Monthly meeting
These rules keep things clear, fair, and easy to follow, with a focus on both creativity and tank health.
If you have any questions you can email contact.dras@gmail.com
Contest 3:
AHAP Contest Running until our June meeting $100 Gift card
AHAP RULES:
You must be a paid member
Fill out the form https://www.dras.ca/conservation to enter
Plant must be added to the AHAP (AHAP rules apply)
If you have already received points for that species for AHAP you can still receive points for that species for the contest
There will be a separate section for points then AHAP on the website
Advertise on our fb page or band what plants you are bringing in to try get more money for your plants and draw people in
If you have any questions you can email contact.dras@gmail.com
