Each September, the GLEE Exhibition fills several Halls at Birmingham's BEC with every delight that the words 'Garden Leisure Equipment' can conjure up.

One popular Hall (OK, Halls 6-8!) was especially attractive to pet owners and the aquatics area more than others. Amongst all the exhibits our wandering reporters picked up one or two innovations.

The RENA Smartheater caught the eye with its totally different shape and stylish appearance.

Its design and performance were certainly new to the hobby. It's said to be unbreakable as its contstruction involves no fragile glass tube so presumably it's also indestructible by the likes of Oscars and safe to touch (even when it's 'on.')

Water is heated as it passes upwards through the totally submersible unit by convection.

An indicator light shows when the temperature is below or above that set by the fishkeeper.

If it's above, then this may indicate a high ambient temperature in the fish-house, or maybe the tank is in direct sunlight for too long or that any metal halide lights are overheating the water.

It can also be connect via a suitable adapter to any external filtration system.

Many visitors to Hampton Court Palace Flower Shows in past years have been disappointed to learn that the colourful Tropical Water lilies are not for our climate, but that has all changed with the introduction of the THERMOPLANTER from Anglo Aquarium Plants
(see www.thermoplanter.co.uk )

Basically, this 'heater in a bucket' device keeps the soil around the water lilies roots at the proper temperature. It is far cheaper than heating the pond (!) or even a greenhouse and it will aid over-wintering for those popular 'Lilies in a tub' species such as N.pygmaea.

Using the Thermoplanter will allow the stocking of tropical water lilies more practicable in our temperate climate.

Marine fishkeepers will be familiar with the 'Miracle Mud' miniature filtration systems wherein macroalgae cultured in an outside 'hang-on' box under a miniature fluorescent lamp removed nitrates from the aquarium water.

In response to popular demand, this technology has been extended into freshwater areas with equipment available from Underworld Products.

You can see here how a suitable beneath the tank 'sump' accommodates the smaller Miracle Mud tank filled with Hornwort.

'Picture frame' tanks hung on walls are nothong new but we found this version fairly amusing.

Using a river scene as a background, under certain conditions (when the fish swam in the right area) it looked as though Guppies and Platies were emulating Salmon by literally swimming upstream – otherwise it looked as though they were lounging on rocks or climbing trees!

Everyone knows that digging out a pond, or even a cascade, is hard work. Those clever people at ROCKWAYS obviously appreciated this and have come up with a design that needs no inground excavations.

Ideal for Patios and even decking, the compactness of the design has an extra feature – they're quite child-proof and safe.

            Here you can see how the bottom unit is
            deep enough to house the circulating pump.

Considering the potential lethal combination of electricity and water, it was quite interesting to see the increase in underwater lighting effects whether it be in ponds, aquariums, large garden sculptures or the rather more under-stated water features such as these.It is hoped that they are all operated by low voltage supplies and/or fitted with a circuit-breaker!

GLEE is held every year at the NEC and is principally a Trade Show but usually we manage to get our spies in to see what's new in the aquarium world and to meet up with our generous sponsors to discuss next year's Show demands!