ADA Gallery Pictures * My Trip To Japan* Warning 56kers New PICS 2/18/05

[Hypancistrus]

I did a little searching and found the company web pages:

http://www.adaeurope.com

http://www.adana.co.jp

It's too bad their web page layout isn't as well designed as their gallery. I was hoping to find a list or catalog of their products... no such luck.

[scolley]

Look here...

http://www.aquariumdesigngroup.com

and click on the Shop ADG link at the top.

[GulfCoastAquarian]

Originally Posted by Robert H

I look at all those MH lights ad I cringe, the electric bill to power all those lights has to be huge! Not a spec of algae in any of those tanks. That ought to say something for how well Amanos system works.

True, but having a bunch of adoring students willing to work for a mere pittance helps, though!
Awesome picstures, Marc! Once again, Amano is an inspiration for us all.

[Hypancistrus]

Originally Posted by scolley

Look here...

http://www.aquariumdesigngroup.com

and click on the Shop ADG link at the top.

Holy cow, considering how cost conscious people are here, that's outrageous!

http://www.aquariumdesigngroup.com/c...roducts_id=113

$465 for an empty CO2 tank that's a foot and a half tall and four inches thick and only holds the equivalent of 18 small CO2 cartridges?

http://www.aquariumdesigngroup.com/c...x.php?cPath=26

They charge $380 for their smallest filter, yet they publish no specs, no photographs, no details of their internal workings, and the information they do present is inconsistent! (There's at least 9 different models in the photograph, but three models listed, and no indication of which model is which, for which size tank, flow rates, etc.) They actually expect me to click "add to cart" for this and pay $780 without any specs?

People jump on me all the time and tell me I have more dollars than sense for using Seachem products instead of Greg Watson products... I wonder how they feel about their fertilizers?

http://www.aquariumdesigngroup.com/c...x.php?cPath=23

They charge $11 each for 250mL, and they have it formulated and marketed in a way telling you to buy "Step 1," "Step 2," "Step 3," saying each "step" is formulated differently for each stage of the plant's growth!

This almost reminds me of stereo cable manufacturers who charge hundreds of dollars for audio and video interconnect cables. Either that, or "professional" installers and services can use all of this equipment and bill rich clients an arm and a leg for their setups and justify the expenses!

I'm sorry I sound so harsh, the gallery pics are really great, but the products and prices are totally nuts!

[Marc]

I don’t think anyone is going to disagree with you that the prices are definitely more expensive. BUT I would like to add that even though the prices are high, it doesn’t mean that the quality isn’t there. They probably do not mass produce their products, everything is probably hand made, and since they are imported to the US. I'm sure additional charges could have been added.

I also believe that you DO NOT need all or any of his equipment to be successful or enjoy the hobby. Amano just takes it to a different level.

With that being said, I’d like to keep this thread headed a certain direction, enjoying the pictures, promoting the hobby and inspiration for all.

I hope everyone is enjoying the pictures!

[scolley]

Marc and Hypancistrus, I'm in a rush so I'll try to be brief (HARD for me)...

The reason why people are "ooooh"ing and "aaaahh"ing over this thread is, among other things, because WE DON"T KNOW HOW HE DOES IT. Look at Amano books - some information sure, but definately not enough to reproduce a given scene.

Well one of Hypancistrus gripes is that there isn't enough detail. No info. Well look at an Amano book - no info. Pretty pics instead...

I'm going to get in trouble here, but I studies bonsai for many years before turning to this hobby. And I think this is just the way of the Japanese culture. They are big on "DO". Very low on "WHY", or even "HOW". It's a culture of "do as I say, understanding will come with time."

We see this philosophy in the tanks, the books, and in the products. They are all related, and all a product of how that culture teaches.

Otherwise, those tanks wouldn't be such an aluring thing to us. We'd all know how he does it.

Also (don't want to hijack the thread topic, but do keep in mind that the exchange rate between the Yen and the US or Canadian dollar is killer - tough to buy a glass of orange juice using those currencies, much less nice equipment).

[Jackfrost]

Originally Posted by Marc

I hope everyone is enjoying the pictures!

This is great !

I love to see these tanks up close.

Just the ideas one gets of trying new things is priceless.

Thanks for the photos !

Nick

[Hypancistrus]

Originally Posted by scolley

The reason why people are "ooooh"ing and "aaaahh"ing over this thread is, among other things, because WE DON"T KNOW HOW HE DOES IT.

...

Otherwise, those tanks wouldn't be such an aluring thing to us. We'd all know how he does it.

Then what's the point of the forum?

[IUnknown]

Because our culture is different. We want to figure out how its done, and share our experiences. Both me and scolley have applied what we've learned from ADA aesthetics to our tanks, and have shared what we've learned. We've also figured out how to make it affordable. The next project for me is getting an ADA style tank. There are ADA products that are unique and IMO worth the money (substrates and MH bulbs). The rest is probably not for the average consumer.

Oliver has some good photo's if anyone missed them,
http://www.pbase.com/plantella/special_event

[wintermute]

Marc, what's going on w/ those "biotopes" in the clay pots? not sure what these are and i'd like to know if you have any info on them

[Urkevitz]

As usual, looking at Amano's tanks has made me change my aquascape around

[Overfloater]

Great photos. I especially like the fact that there are benches in front of the tanks. Makes it hard to want to leave.

[Marc]

Originally Posted by wintermute

Marc, what's going on w/ those "biotopes" in the clay pots? not sure what these are and i'd like to know if you have any info on them

Well basically its a planted aquarium but to house outdoor stuff, sorta like having your own mini pond! When i looked inside them, some of them had fish!
Anyways i think its because of the general lifestyle of Japan and its people. Space if very limited in Japan, and not everyone can have pond or live by the river. Same idea as our aquariums. It brings nature to our home.
ADA has a whole line of these pots as well as substrate and other things.

[wintermute]

does anyone know of any information on the web regarding those little baby biotopes?

[Marc]

I got some information on paper- i'll try to scan them in at work tomorrow.