Aquascape Artist Sam Rutka Sheds Light on Planted Aquaria
Aquatic gardening, whether in ponds or aquaria, is both a science and an art. Just the right mix and quantity of plants and an expert touch can mean the difference between a tank with plants and an aquascaped masterpiece!
My guest today, Sam Rutka, is the freshwater manager, aquascaper, and plant specialist at Easy Aquariums, a specialty aquatics and reptile store in Gorham, Maine, as well as a master underwater gardener. Join us, as Sam leads us through the art and science of aquascapes!
BIO:
Sam Rutka is the freshwater manager, aquascaper, and plant specialist at Easy Aquariums, a specialty aquatics and reptile store in Gorham Maine. He is a contributor to AMAZONAS Magazine, holds the legislative chair in the Northeast Council of Aquarium Societies and is a sitting member on an expert panel currently working to improve Maine state law and relieve restrictive regulations regarding freshwater invertebrate and fish.
He has been keeping fish and amphibians since childhood and dug his first water garden with his mother at age 6 which is still self-sufficient to this day. Sam has competed in aquascaping and aquatic plant layout competitions from the Midwest to New England and consistently placed within the top five competitors and will be judging this years aquascaping competition at the NEC this April in Cromwell CT.
Specializing in building habitats and displays for aquatic and terrestrial animals, Sam has had the opportunity to plant multiple exhibits at the New England Aquarium in Boston and built dozens of paludariums and terrariums that can be found in the Portland Children's Museum, daycares, doctors’ offices, and living rooms all over Maine. You can find Sam’s work featured on the cover of AMAZONAS Magazine volume 7 issue 1 which showcases some of his personal and professional tanks and paludariums with instructions on how to build your own.
Follow him on Instagram at @Captainduckweed to keep up to date with his current projects and adventures.