Takashi Amano in India

[wynx]

Honestly, I can't remember. I have a very poor memory for time. I can't even remember the year I got married

But let's see. Amano came here on the invitation of Crowntol, one of the first fish shops to actually have planted tanks. That was also the year we founded sg.rec.aquaria on the internet, a place for local hobbyists to talk about aquatic plants and fish. In those days, we have to vote for the group to be formed. And Singtel required 25 votes at least before they allow the creation of the group.

That was also the year our group appeared on TV, on the show called Tuesday Report on Channel 8. Oh yes, that year was when James Lim met Amano at Aquarama and went on to publish the English version of the Aquajournal.

Okay, now I remember, that was also the year I got my $50 COE. So it must be in 97 or 98. It doesn't seem like much now but you must understand that just one month earlier, the same COE was $64,000. I was so happy I emailed everyone in the group although COE didn't have anything to do with aquatic plants.

It was an exciting time for us. In those days, the internet was something new and we were all so happy to find people with similar interests. In those days, we all use our real names when we post on the net, something I still do up till now. It was an age of innocence. The net connected us and we were so carefree, starry-eyed and so full of wonder.

The net, however, signaled the doom for fish shops like Crowntol. With the net, there were no more secrets and Crowntol's business model couldn't work anymore.

Loh K L

Then I guess you must remember Aquaplantnutx right? It was really down memory lane back then. I remember seeing my neighbour's planted tank with all those riccia...and struck in awe..then he brought me n my brother to Raymond's Aquamart...took a planted tank course and then the rest was history...

I guess it must be prior 1999 cos that's the year I think I went to Aquamart..learnt about DIY carbon dioxide, etc...

[Simon]

oh, I love going to Aquamart when they were at Shun Li industrial park (did I get the place correctly?), and that was the only place I buy plants from. Collecting those tags that came together from the pot of tropica plants was like collecting football cards :P

[wynx]

oh, I love going to Aquamart when they were at Shun Li industrial park (did I get the place correctly?), and that was the only place I buy plants from. Collecting those tags that came together from the pot of tropica plants was like collecting football cards :P

Bingo! Back then...Tropica plants were like so in a rage manz..I think I was quite disappointed to learn that most of their plants were exported from Singapore, Oriental..so after realizing that I didn't think they command a premium.

[genes]

Apparently, he is not so well known in Japan. Non of my japanese colleagues and vendors know him when i mentioned his name.

[wynx]

Apparently, he is not so well known in Japan. Non of my japanese colleagues and vendors know him when i mentioned his name.

Yup..that's true.. even when I was in Niigata and asking for directions to get to his gallery...no one knew him...or the place that I was asked to go...urushimaya or something like that..

[genes]

Exactly!!! I asked if they knew of a popular (or i thought it was) aquarium gallery in Niigata and no one heard of it.... My japanese colleague use his phone to search for his name and cannot find also!

[timebomb]

Then I guess you must remember Aquaplantnutx right? It was really down memory lane back then. I remember seeing my neighbour's planted tank with all those riccia...and struck in awe..then he brought me n my brother to Raymond's Aquamart...took a planted tank course and then the rest was history...

Yes, I remember the mailing list called Plantnutx. Or is it Plantnutz? Anyway, that mailing list was started by a few guys who were members of the group who voted for the sg.rec.aquaria newsgroup.

Raymond's Aquamart wasn't among the first fish shops to specialise in planted tanks. In fact, the display tank at Aquamart was set up by the expert from Crowntol. Before Aquamart, there was Q Aquaplanter in Alexandria estate and also Aquatic Station in Bedok Marketplace. Even before all that, there was Aquatechnics who was the distributor for the Dupla brand.

It might interest you to know that among the "mom and pa" fish shops, the pioneer among them was Keong Seong along Havelock Road. They were the first to sell CO2 systems and to actually have a planted tank on display.

Loh K L

[wynx]

Yes, I remember the mailing list called Plantnutx. Or is it Plantnutz? Anyway, that mailing list was started by a few guys who were members of the group who voted for the sg.rec.aquaria newsgroup.

Raymond's Aquamart wasn't among the first fish shops to specialise in planted tanks. In fact, the display tank at Aquamart was set up by the expert from Crowntol. Before Aquamart, there was Q Aquaplanter in Alexandria estate and also Aquatic Station in Bedok Marketplace. Even before all that, there was Aquatechnics who was the distributor for the Dupla brand.

It might interest you to know that among the "mom and pa" fish shops, the pioneer among them was Keong Seong along Havelock Road. They were the first to sell CO2 systems and to actually have a planted tank on display.

Loh K L

Yup, I recall those....sigh...it has been a little more than 10 years for me now in this hobby now. I honestly believe that the standards have come really quite far...not considering myself of course

[Shadow]

wow.. you guys been talking old history . How many of those fish shop still survive till today (I only know Keong Seong )? What happen with all those owner? are they still in hobby or give up entirely?

[windcharm]

Back then, I remember going to Aquamart in Shun Li Industrial building to ogle at those nice scapes..mainly riccia...

If I recall correctly, I think I recall hearing about Amano's visit..

Time really flies..

Shun Li? you mean the one at kaki bukit? Is the Aquamart still there?

[wynx]

Shun Li? you mean the one at kaki bukit? Is the Aquamart still there?

Nope...This one is at Aljunied...Sims Avenue..behind geylang

[windcharm]

Back then, I remember going to Aquamart in Shun Li Industrial building to ogle at those nice scapes..mainly riccia...

If I recall correctly, I think I recall hearing about Amano's visit..

Time really flies..

Nope...This one is at Aljunied...Sims Avenue..behind geylang

Got it. Thanks alot. Sorry that I have "hi-jacked" this thread. I will not go any further.

[Simon]

Aquamart has shifted to a shop along Jalan Besar, IIRC but that was 3 years ago. Last I heard, they are into Marine.

I remembered Aquatic station, it was the first time I saw ADA products in Singapore. At that time, Crowntol was the distributor.

[timebomb]

wow.. you guys been talking old history . How many of those fish shop still survive till today (I only know Keong Seong )? What happen with all those owner? are they still in hobby or give up entirely?

Keong Seong is still around and going strong. After Aquatic Station closed, the owner went to work for Qian Hu for a while, I think. As for Q Aquaplanter, the owner now works for Eheim. He's the regional manager, I think. Crowntol is no more but the same owner runs Aquanautics, a distributor of aquarium products. Aquatechnics occupies a factory space somewhere around Kallang Bahru but they are a shadow of what they once was.

But the true pioneer of them all, as far as aquatic plants are concerned is a shop called SABAP which was located along Orchard Road. You have to be really old to know the shop SABAP

Loh K L

[barmby]

That was also the year our group appeared on TV, on the show called Tuesday Report on Channel 8. Oh yes, that year was when James Lim met Amano at Aquarama and went on to publish the English version of the Aquajournal.

Loh K L

Yeah. I remember watching it. You guys gather for X'mas or BBQ something like that. It prompted me to start searching on the internet. First I found AquaticRealm by Leng Yee and later get to know Simon. Goodness. I am already very much into fish keeping back then and the internet provide me with a whole weath of information. Cool stuff Planted tank is my life!