Plant Fest 2026 — A Different Side of the Aquarium Hobby

When we first heard about Plant Fest 2026 (Fitz’s Fish Ponds), we expected something closer to a traditional aquarium expo — vendors, aquascaping booths, and freshwater products everywhere.

What we found instead was something very different.

And honestly, that made it better.

Hosted entirely by Fitz’s Fish Ponds on their own property, Plant Fest 2026 felt less like a commercial trade show and more like an open-house celebration of aquatic life.

The event was completely free to attend. Guests parked off-site and were shuttled onto the property, where attendees checked in, received raffle tickets, and explored the grounds — koi ponds, greenhouses, aquatic plants, filtration systems, and hobbyists from all corners of the aquatic world. Raffles ran throughout the day, guest speakers rotated through presentations, and visitors moved between ponds, greenhouses, and the main store discussing everything from filtration to fish.

The Intersection of Pond Keeping and Aquarium Ecosystems

One of the biggest takeaways from the event was realizing just how connected the aquarium and pond hobbies really are.

Even though the focus leaned heavily toward koi ponds and outdoor aquatic systems, the same core ideas showed up everywhere — biological filtration, water movement, aquatic plants, nutrient management, fish health. The scale was different, but the philosophy was familiar.

Walking through the property, you could see exposed plumbing, centralized water systems, rotating drum filters, chillers, and large-scale pond infrastructure all operating in real time. Unlike many display systems where equipment is hidden, much of the filtration and plumbing here was visible — which made the event feel genuinely educational rather than purely decorative.

For freshwater aquarium hobbyists, it was fascinating to see those same principles scaled into massive outdoor environments.

The Koi Side of the Hobby

The koi presence was hard to ignore.

Large ponds filled with healthy koi surrounded the property, with some fish reaching prices in the thousands of dollars — a clear sign of just how serious and established this side of the hobby is.

Younger attendees — many likely discovering the event through Instagram and social media — appeared more connected to the freshwater aquarium and planted tank world. Conversations throughout the day revealed that some visitors had expected more traditional aquarium products and aquascaping vendors.

Instead, Plant Fest offered a look into another branch of aquatic keeping that many aquarium hobbyists may never fully experience.

Aquatic Plants, Greenhouses, and Ecosystem Design

The greenhouses were one of the standout parts of the experience.

Large structures housed rows of lotus, water lilies, floating plants, and a wide variety of aquatic vegetation — showing how deeply plants are woven into both pond keeping and aquarium care at every scale.

There was even a bonsai tree section, which fit surprisingly well alongside the koi ponds. It felt like another expression of the same ideas — patience and long-term cultivation.

Inside the store, a smaller submerged plant section featured aquatic species in simple display tanks. Two 40-gallon breeders held a variety of species, including several beautiful red plants. For planted tank hobbyists, seeing higher-demand red plants in relatively simple systems — rather than ultra high-tech aquascapes — was a quiet reminder that the plants are the point, not the gear.

One thing that stood out were several small planted glass bowl setups on display. Some contained nothing more than aquatic plants, hardscape, and small shrimp colonies — including one setup with red cherry shrimp.

The bowls were beautifully arranged. No fish, no filtration equipment, no complexity — just plants, shrimp, substrate, and balance. They demonstrated something worth remembering: you don’t need a large aquarium or expensive equipment to create something visually engaging and biologically active. The same principles at work in those massive koi ponds outside were operating in a glass bowl on a shelf.

Beginner Questions Were the Same Everywhere

One moment stuck with us — a beginner asking whether the store sold aquasoil for planted aquariums after seeing the aquatic plant displays.

The staff explained that they mainly focused on pond-related substrate products. But the interaction pointed to something bigger.

Whether someone is building a nano planted tank or a multi-thousand-gallon koi pond, the foundational questions are nearly identical:

• What substrate should I use?
• How do aquatic plants grow?
• What filtration do I need?
• How do I keep a system stable?
• How do I reduce maintenance over time?
• How do ecosystems balance themselves?

Aquarium and Pond Equipment Observations

One brand that appeared heavily throughout the store was Oase, particularly in pond filtration and water management equipment.

The event also highlighted how much crossover now exists between higher-end aquarium hobbyists and pond keepers. Some attendees immediately recognized premium planted tank equipment like Chihiros lighting systems just by appearance — a small moment that said a lot about how fluidly many hobbyists move between different areas of the aquatic world.

An Unexpected Purchase: Carnivorous Plants

One unexpected part of the trip was leaving with two carnivorous plants: a Sarracenia pitcher plant and a Drosera sundew.

We had considered picking up some of the red aquatic plants from the submerged display tanks. But right now at FishKeepingLifeCo, we’re mid-experiment on one of our 29-gallon planted tanks — specifically working to reduce maintenance and minimize water changes while observing how the system stabilizes long-term.

So instead of introducing new plants and changing variables, we held off. Instead, we stayed consistent with the current setup and continued observing how the tank matured over time.

Sometimes progress in this hobby comes less from constantly adding things and more from learning when to leave a system alone.

The carnivorous plants became a fun side addition to that broader interest. During the event, we even mentioned feeding them aquarium water — though staff recommended sticking with distilled water instead.

Final Thoughts

Plant Fest 2026 turned out to be something different than expected — and that difference was the whole point.

Rather than a traditional aquarium convention, it felt like stepping into a living aquatic facility where pond keeping, aquatic gardening, koi culture, shrimp keeping, and even bonsai cultivation all overlapped in the same afternoon.

The aquarium hobby is much broader than many people realize. And events like this one are a good reminder of that.

From planted tanks to shrimp bowls. From greenhouse ponds to industrial-scale filtration systems.

We’re all really exploring the same thing: how to build thriving aquatic environments.

Questions This Blog Answers

• What happens at Fitz’s Fish Ponds Plant Fest?
• What is the difference between pond keeping and aquarium keeping?
• What is a rotating drum filter?
• Can aquarium hobbyists learn from pond keeping?
• What is a low-tech shrimp bowl setup?
• Can shrimp live in planted bowls?
• What are red cherry shrimp?
• How are aquatic plants used in ponds?
• What are the benefits of aquatic plants in ecosystem balance?
• What equipment is commonly used in koi ponds?
• Are Oase filters good for ponds and aquariums?
• What are some beginner-friendly aquatic ecosystem ideas?
• What is ecosystem-style fishkeeping?
• Why is aquarium stability important?
• Can you reduce water changes in a planted aquarium?
• What are Sarracenia pitcher plants?
• What are Drosera sundews?
• Can carnivorous plants use aquarium water?
• How are ponds and aquariums connected through ecosystem design?

FAQ

What happens at Fitz’s Fish Ponds Plant Fest?

A free open-house style event featuring koi ponds, aquatic plants, filtration displays, raffles, speakers, and greenhouse tours.

Can aquarium hobbyists learn from pond keeping?

Yes. Both sides of the hobby share core principles: filtration, water movement, plant growth, nutrient management, and system stability.

Can shrimp live in planted bowls?

Yes. The event showcased planted bowl setups with shrimp colonies, including red cherry shrimp, in low-complexity planted displays.