Seachem / Zooxae Aquascaping Demonstration
August 22, 2025 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM | 1441 Timber Drive Elgin, Illinois (Zooxae Coral Farm)
Join Zooxae and Seachem for an exclusive, hands-on Aquascaping demonstration featuring internationally recognized Aquascaper MJ Aquascaping, all the way from the Netherlands. Whether you're a seasoned hobbyist or just starting out, this is a rare opportunity to watch a world-class aquascape come to life right before your eyes. The evening also includes a guided tour of Zooxae's impressive coral facility, exciting free giveaways, and food trucks available from 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM to close out the night.
Admission is $20 per person, and every attendee will receive a $20 Zooxae Gift Card upon arrival so your entry pays for itself.
5:00 PM – 5:20 PM
Arrival & Welcome
Arrive and settle in. This is a great opportunity to browse the Zooxae head office and connect with fellow aquascaping enthusiasts before the main event gets underway.
5:20 PM – 5:35 PM
Opening Remarks
Zooxae and Seachem kick off the evening with a warm welcome, an overview of the night's program, and a brief introduction to the products and tools that will be featured in the demonstration. Learn how Seachem's planted tank lineup supports thriving aquariums.
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Live Aquascaping Demonstration
Speaker: MJ Aquascaping (Mark-Jan Fioole), Aquascaper and Content Creator
The centerpiece of the evening. Watch MJ Aquascaping build a stunning aquascape from the ground up, walking you through every decision from hardscape placement and substrate selection to plant positioning and compositional technique. This is a rare, up-close look at the creative process behind world-class aquascaping, with expert commentary throughout. Plus, don't miss your chance to win free giveaways distributed during the demonstration.
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Kids Aquascaping Workshop with MJ Aquascaping
Admission is $20 per person, and every attendee will receive a $20 Zooxae Gift Card upon arrival so your entry pays for itself.
Give your child a chance to build their very own Aquascape and take it home the same day.
What it is: A fun, guided workshop where children design and build a small aquascape from start to finish.
Who it's for: Young nature lovers and budding hobbyists. No experience needed just curiosity and a little imagination.
What your child will do:
- Arrange natural wood, rocks, and substrate into a mini aquascape
- Learn simple design ideas from MJ Aquascaping, a respected name in the hobby
- Discover how tiny aquatic landscapes come together
- Take their finished creation home to enjoy
This is more than a craft session. Kids build patience, creativity, and confidence as they shape their own scene using real, quality materials. With MJ Aquascaping guiding each step, they'll pick up genuine techniques while having plenty of fun.
Remember just about any container can be an aquascape. Feel free to bring your own container or small aquarium to scape. Small aquariums, lighting, and filtration will also be available for purchase.
Some smaller aquascapes should not contain fish, please consult with store staff if you are not sure about your setup.
Q&A & Zooxae Livestock/Coral Facility Tour
Bring your questions. Sal Mendaz will open the floor for a live Q&A about the Coral Farm, coral importation, dipping and acclimatizing methods and water testing.
Following the Q&A, enjoy a guided 20-minute tour of Zooxae's stunning livestock and coral facility a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the area's premier aquatic coral collections.
7:45 PM
Socialize with fellow hobbyists and staff
To close out the evening, food trucks will be on-site from 7:30 PM until 8:00 PM, giving you the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow hobbyists and the Zooxae team over some great food!