For those interested in meeting Mr. Takashi Amano

[Wahter]

For those interested in meeting Mr. Takashi Amano -

a.) you could fly over to Narita airport (about an hour outside of Tokyo) and take a ride on the shinkansen (bullet train) to Niigata. (probably about $900US total from the USA). or...

b.) go to the 2004 AGA Conference! Will be held in the Baltimore/ Washington DC area later this year. ;D

not much info yet:
http://www.aquatic-gardeners.org/convention.html

Aqua Design Amano's website:
http://www.adana.co.jp/

Enjoy! :)

[ChloroPhil]

You know I'll be there Walter!

For all of you who've never been to an AGA conference, they're awesome! Last year's was the best so far, but from what I've heard this year's conference is going to be lightyears better than this last. Come meet all the best plant people in the US and Canada, plus Takashi Amano himself!

Perhaps if we lobby enough we can get him to do a Discus tank this year as a demo. :)

[Wahter]

You'll find out how much Japanese language skills are needed when speaking with Mr. Amano - that's why I didn't attend the Nature Aquarium Party (with "rock placement" seminar and contest) he had in Tokyo while I was in Japan - I think I would have been the only non-Japanese speaking person there. :( The event is held alternately in either Tokyo or Niigata in the September/ October time frame.

(update)
I found out that there often are non-Japanese speaking people attending, so if you happen to be there during that time. It's definitely worth checking out. :)

They always post the event details close to the event times on their website:
http://www.adana.co.jp/ (now there's an English section too)


Walter

[Don_Lee]

Sure would love to meet Mr. Amano, he is truly an artist! He really creates some beautiful aquascapes. Hmmm, maybe by then I can have some $ to go to Baltimore.....lol.

Don

[M0oN]

http://www.fish-forum.com/images/upload/amano.bmp

Wish I had the time to visit this years, his work is bar none the best I've ever seen.

[FischAutoTechGarten]

Neat,
My bothers and sisters and I often meet in Baltimore Maryland (it's halfway between Upstate NY and SWVirginia, plus we have a few relatives there on our Mother's side). Hmmm, if I'm still in Upstate NY this summer I'll have to plan a little 'reunion' in Baltimore this summer.

If you've never been to DC or Baltimore..it's wonderful. Inner Harbor in Baltimore is fantastic, as are the Markets.

In DC, everything is free. My wife and I park our auto outside of DC and ride the subway in. Keep a backpack with food and walk all day long all over the city. It takes 1 day just to take in a a fraction of the Smithsonian. Georgetown is great for dinner.

[Brian-pdx]

Hoy cow Moon! That is just not fair showing us something like that!
I don't have a single room in my house big enough for a tank that size.
Wait, it is about the size of a queen size bed, so if I sleep on the sofa...
::)

[M0oN]

Hoy cow Moon! That is just not fair showing us something like that!
I don't have a single room in my house big enough for a tank that size.
Wait, it is about the size of a queen size bed, so if I sleep on the sofa...
::)


Bigger actually, Mr. Amano is standing on a pedastal behind the tank...probably about two feet taller then he is...if you look in the bottom left corner of the tank those are full grown altum angelfish...if you've ever seen how big they get in person...well...you get the idea...

[Wahter]

This is the photo that was originally posted above. I'm pretty sure he's standing on a pedestal behind the tank. You can find a copy of this photo on http://www.mongabay.com

http://fish.mongabay.com/images/bigtank.jpg

[Wahter]

Mr. Amano eventually placed a school of wild angelfish inside! :) This photo is from Amano's website: http://adana.co.jp .

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=37418&stc=1&d=1220672736



Walter

[Wahter]

Don't forget these planted discus tanks by Amano - posted earlier, but here they are again: (both are from Amano's website: http://adana.co.jp )

This first tank is from Aquajournal #35.
Tank specs:
W180 x D100 x H80cm
440 watts of lighting
water changes 1/3 every two weeks
temp 25ºC
pH 7.3
GH 4ºdH
KH 4ºdH

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=37417&stc=1&d=1220672473

Don't forget this Amano tank (my favorite):

from Amano's "Nature Aquarium World" book #3.
A 380 gallon (1440 liters) tank:

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=37416&stc=1&d=1220672473

Enjoy! ;D ;D ;D


Walter

[M0oN]

Ha, with a tank that size I bet he could fit a school of wild discus in there too and have no problems between competition...man oh man...onea of these days...that things probably worth half a year's rent to me!

[Wahter]

As of right now, its scheduled for November 12th, 13th, 14th, 2004 - The Aquatic Gardener's Association will have their Annual Conference at the Marriott Crystal Gateway, Arlington, Virginia. Takashi Amano and Diana Walstad are confirmed speakers. More details will be posted at the AGA site: http://www.aquatic-gardeners.org/

FYI - Arlington is very close to Joe's Enchanted Discus - I'm going to see if I can stop by there for a visit. :)

[Wahter]

Updated info has just been posted:

http://www.aquatic-gardeners.org/convention.html

[ChloroPhil]

I just signed up, so should you! Of course that means that you need to join the AGA....and well you should!

DiscusKC, khblock, and DiscusDawg's wife all joined this weekend at the Southern Discus Workshop. It's only 20.00 for a year and that includes four issues of The Aquatic Gardener (the only plant only periodical in the US), access to the AGA email list, and a number of other benefits in the works. Oh yeah, plus you get to attend the workshop, mustn't forget that! :)

New members get the standard year of TAG and 3 back issues with every "New Member" option picked. That's a great deal!!!

This year Amano, Diana Walstad, and Jan Bastemeijer (of The Crypts Pages fame) will be speaking. A number of others will be talking in focus groups not to mention a great banquet and auction Saturday and Sunday.

Go to: http://www.aquatic-gardeners.org/member.html

I had a great time at the workshop this weekend and would love to have all my discus buddies at the AGA to hang out with. Sign up today!

Best,
Phil

[Wahter]

Just wanted to bump this post/ thread up again because Takashi Amano is coming to America again for this year's AGA Aquatic Gardeners Convention in Atlanta Georgia.

November 14-16th, 2008, at the Atlanta Sheraton Hotel, within walking distance of the Georgia Aquarium.

For more details, see here:

http://www.aquatic-gardeners.org/convention.html

Here's a video clip someone shot when they visited Amano's house in Japan (showing his large aquarium tank):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO-XMkXlCv0



Walter

[ncyracer]

Anybody want to pick me up in San Diego lol :p
I wish i could go next time, have fun everyone.

[GrillMaster]

Just wanted to bump this post/ thread up again because Takashi Amano is coming to America again for this year's AGA Aquatic Gardeners Convention in Atlanta Georgia.

November 14-16th, 2008, at the Atlanta Sheraton Hotel, within walking distance of the Georgia Aquarium.

For more details, see here:

http://www.aquatic-gardeners.org/convention.html

Here's a video clip someone shot when they visited Amano's house in Japan (showing his large aquarium tank):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO-XMkXlCv0


Walter

You goin Walter?