turfboss
Members
Hope everyone got there safe and sound and had a great day - let's hear about what's happening out there - Wendy - how do you like that Wisconsin beer that Andy brought down from my home state - great stuff huh!!!!
ACA Convention Updates
- Thread starter turfboss
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- aca convention updates
mscichlid
Founder
They all suck. They're having a good time and are not in the real world right now. Too busy having a blast and too tired to post.
chriscoli
Administrator
Ouch, Francine!
mchambers
Former CCA member
Yeah, Chris, just lay it on us. We're here in Washington, cleaning our tanks, and you're drinking adult beverages and talking fish!
mscichlid
Founder
Come on! You know it's true. You're having a blast. Admit it!
dogofwar
CCA Members
Siena and I drove to Indy on Thurs AM...arrived about noon. Went to get kinda early after the day driving.
We spent some time at the Indy Children's Museum yesterday - it's great: dinos, ancient Egyptian stuff...we'd be there all the time if we lived here.
The hotel is out by the airport, so not really convenient to restuarants. Mostly pizza and sandwiches, although we went to Waffle House too.
The Babes Auction was great - tons of New World stuff. I got two groups of Gymnogeos (Olimar and Yagueron) for remarkably little. A lot of other stuff went for pretty high prices
Saw several presentations: Anton's Hemichromis one was great; another on Lake Tang inverts; another on Mexican fish...stayed up too late.
Did some water changes this AM and had some lunch
Take care,
Matt
We spent some time at the Indy Children's Museum yesterday - it's great: dinos, ancient Egyptian stuff...we'd be there all the time if we lived here.
The hotel is out by the airport, so not really convenient to restuarants. Mostly pizza and sandwiches, although we went to Waffle House too.
The Babes Auction was great - tons of New World stuff. I got two groups of Gymnogeos (Olimar and Yagueron) for remarkably little. A lot of other stuff went for pretty high prices
Saw several presentations: Anton's Hemichromis one was great; another on Lake Tang inverts; another on Mexican fish...stayed up too late.
Did some water changes this AM and had some lunch
Take care,
Matt
thefishproject
Members
Hey everyone! Yeah Francine I'm with you, I've been on CCA and the ACA message boards trying to get details of the whole thing, but they're in Candy Land right now. I just savored that message that Matt wrote and I'm looking forward to more.
Tony
Alligator Snapping Turtle/Past Pres
We had a good time. Posted a few updates on FB throughout the weekend, but tougher to post pics here from a phone.
As Francine can attest, between talks, catching up and brews, it's a bit tough to get more than 2-3 hours of sleep a night, let alone post updates (didnt get to sleep before 5:00 any night this week). We'll give a complete download after we get back.
Want the real-time feed? Support the ACA and come with us next year. It sounds like it's going to be a blast.
As Francine can attest, between talks, catching up and brews, it's a bit tough to get more than 2-3 hours of sleep a night, let alone post updates (didnt get to sleep before 5:00 any night this week). We'll give a complete download after we get back.
Want the real-time feed? Support the ACA and come with us next year. It sounds like it's going to be a blast.
verbal
CCA Members
Where is it going to be?
Denver! No driving but hopefully we can still go.
I arrived late Thursday. I got on the road a little later than I expected because I underestimated my amount of fish bagging time. Arrived in Indy just before 7 and it took me a couple hours to get the car unloaded and get my sale fish into their rental tank and show fish into their tanks. Had dinner, kicked back with some cold beverages. I grew up in Indy and have been making the drive to and from the DC area for 14 years... and by the last hour of the trip I felt clearly that I must be getting older. It's harder than it used to be. So, incidentally, is drinking until 2am. Ouch.
Ethan flew in on Friday and we checked out the vendors and sold out of fish. That was fast! Unfortunately it seems there were some water issues and I lost a significant number of fish both before and after sales. Bummer.
Saturday we checked out Ad Konings' talk in the morning. We also went to a jaw dropping, utterly amazing talk in which Heinz Buscher narrated an hour of video from Lake Tanganyika that showed cichlids across the biotopes engaging in feeding, mating, and parenting behavior.
The banquet was nice, enjoyed sitting with Anton Lamboj.
We wrapped up with the auction today. We didn't buy anything, no tank space. Ethan's on his way home, and I'm spending another couple days with family and friends before driving home on Wednesday.
I enjoyed meeting lots of new people and trying delicious beer from Wisconsin.. I took a lot of pictures of the fish show but haven't reviewed yet. Later this week I'll share anything that came out interesting.
I arrived late Thursday. I got on the road a little later than I expected because I underestimated my amount of fish bagging time. Arrived in Indy just before 7 and it took me a couple hours to get the car unloaded and get my sale fish into their rental tank and show fish into their tanks. Had dinner, kicked back with some cold beverages. I grew up in Indy and have been making the drive to and from the DC area for 14 years... and by the last hour of the trip I felt clearly that I must be getting older. It's harder than it used to be. So, incidentally, is drinking until 2am. Ouch.
Ethan flew in on Friday and we checked out the vendors and sold out of fish. That was fast! Unfortunately it seems there were some water issues and I lost a significant number of fish both before and after sales. Bummer.
Saturday we checked out Ad Konings' talk in the morning. We also went to a jaw dropping, utterly amazing talk in which Heinz Buscher narrated an hour of video from Lake Tanganyika that showed cichlids across the biotopes engaging in feeding, mating, and parenting behavior.
The banquet was nice, enjoyed sitting with Anton Lamboj.
We wrapped up with the auction today. We didn't buy anything, no tank space. Ethan's on his way home, and I'm spending another couple days with family and friends before driving home on Wednesday.
I enjoyed meeting lots of new people and trying delicious beer from Wisconsin.
. I took a lot of pictures of the fish show but haven't reviewed yet. Later this week I'll share anything that came out interesting.
mscichlid
Founder
Thanks Wendy! That was great!
Leffler817
CCA Members
Thanks for the updates guys and big congratulations!
Tony won 1st place for his peacock in the fish show and Wendy won two 1st place prizes for her Demasoni!!!!
Woot, woot, way to go!
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Tony won 1st place for his peacock in the fish show and Wendy won two 1st place prizes for her Demasoni!!!!
Woot, woot, way to go!
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
turfboss
Members
Way to go Tony and Wendy - what a blast you guys must have had - next year!!!!!!
verbal
CCA Members
Congrats on the wins.
What was the spawn of the year?
What was the spawn of the year?
Last edited:
jonclark96
Past CCA President
We made it home last night around and it was after midnight before I got all my new fish in to tanks and settled into bed. The alarm clock was an unwelcome sound at 5 AM.
I had an absolute blast at the convention. I'll post up tonight about some of the highlights. Right now I need to work on the pile of stuff on my desk at work. Unfortunately the rest of the world didn't slow down while I was away...
I had an absolute blast at the convention. I'll post up tonight about some of the highlights. Right now I need to work on the pile of stuff on my desk at work. Unfortunately the rest of the world didn't slow down while I was away...
Tony
Alligator Snapping Turtle/Past Pres
One hellova good time....
WEDNESDAY
We left on Wednesday afternoon in Jon Clark's Suburban. We brought some fish for sale, but with the car-top carrier that we acquired before Milwaukee, had plenty of room for the 5 of us (myself, Jon, Michael, Jim and Christine). We got there after midnight and due to a canceled flight at the airport, had to wait for about an hour before we go a room. The hotel staff was great though and took care of our first night on the house.
We got settled in and ended up tying up with the usual cast of characters and drank until about 5 AM. This was pretty typical for the 4 nights we were there.
THURSDAY
Thursday's excursion to Rusty Wessel's was probably the highlight of my trip. At first, I was fixated on a long bus ride down to Lousiville (along with the return trip on a bus with 50 fish guys who had just consumed mass amounts of alcohol and BBQ, lol), but is was completely worth the trip.
His outdoor fish koi are the nicest I have ever seen. His fish room is beyond belief. Honestly...completely sick. I shot a few pics, but mostly video in the room. I'll post up the video later.
I had never understood fully the appeal of central American cichlids. Rusty's fish house has absolutely had an impact on the fish that I plan on keeping down the road (Synspilum anyone? lol).
They brought in great BBQ and the guys from Bermuda were serving up the dark and stormies.
His 2nd largest of 5 ponds
Rusty's water supplly setup... Complete with geothermal heating.
Li and AJ... the top row tanks in the background are all 7 foot 265+ gallon tanks. I think he has 14 of them, but may be wrong.
Anton and Ad were among those drooling over Rusty's tanks.
Didn't even notice that he had a pair of macaws until we were about to leave.
Man, that's a cool stadium..
Thanks again to Rusty and his wife for hosting. It was an experience that I will never forget.
Most slept on the way back to the hotel and the speakers began. I was able to see Steve Edie's talk on Tangs, Anton on Hemichromis (a brand-new presentation), Dr. Loiselle on Central Americans and some of Sam Borstein's talk on chanchitos starting at midnight.
We were out at the courtyard pool until 2 and I kicked Dave S. and Troy out of the hotel room at 4:50. It was a long day.
FRIDAY
Luckily, talks did not start until the afternoon on Friday. Highlights for me were Anton's CARES talk (another brand-new one), Heinz Buscher's Snail and Invert talk (outstanding video), Ad's talk on Anti-netting devices and hybridization in the lake (another new one).
After the marathon of great talks was the BABES auction. Needless to say, a good time was had by all. Many shots of tequila were had and many folks spent a lot of money for a good cause. Picked up a pair of L066 plecos, some holy-grail Taeniolethrinops juveniles, some A. nubilia and some very cool Thorichys ellioti (note comment above about Rusty's place impacting my fish-keeping).
Again, shut-eye came around 5 after a crazy night.
The BABES
Pillow Fort (note security guard in the back - he was laughing, btw)
Caroline, some skeezy guy and Pam at the Cobalt hospitality suite.
SATURDAY
Saturday morning brought a whole 'nother day of great talks followed by the awards banquet. I was able to catch another new talk from Ad on Melanochromis and Cynotilapia reclassification, Heinz Buscher's famous talk on Lake Tang (the most impressive video I have ever seen) and Anton's talk on collecting in Gabon before the awards banquet.
The banquet was quite nice. Food was great and the speaker, Charley Grimes was hilarious (think George Richter spinning yarns with pictures - all of the "fail" variety).
Wendy took home #1 for mbuna and CARES species for her demasoni, as well as #2 in the photo contest. Congrats!
I got first for the one fish I brought - my red jacobfreibergi peacock.
Saturday night was the crazy night of the last two. A bunch of the CCA folks sat up in the front lobby and drank beers until about 3, then the remaining folks moved to the back of the hotel and finished off the hospitality suite beer with Dave, Troy, Steve Edie, Sam Borstein (no beer for him though, lol) and a couple of others. Good folks.
SUNDAY
Sunday was fast and furious. Get the room packed up, the fish tubs torn down, hit a bit of the auction and get the heck out of Dodge.
We picked up a few nice things. Besides the stuff I got above in the BABES auction (and including some vender room items), I brought back:
Most of the bags I picked up over the weekend. Believe it or not, only lost a few of my unsold juveniles I brought and one nasuta. The fish gods were smiling.
Thanks to my bud Mike Dunagan - president of the host club, CCAC.
So yeah. Anyone considering taking the trip next year should certainly pull the trigger. I can't imagine a better way to spend 4 days than with my fellow fish geeks.
Thanks for reading.
WEDNESDAY
We left on Wednesday afternoon in Jon Clark's Suburban. We brought some fish for sale, but with the car-top carrier that we acquired before Milwaukee, had plenty of room for the 5 of us (myself, Jon, Michael, Jim and Christine). We got there after midnight and due to a canceled flight at the airport, had to wait for about an hour before we go a room. The hotel staff was great though and took care of our first night on the house.
We got settled in and ended up tying up with the usual cast of characters and drank until about 5 AM. This was pretty typical for the 4 nights we were there.
THURSDAY
Thursday's excursion to Rusty Wessel's was probably the highlight of my trip. At first, I was fixated on a long bus ride down to Lousiville (along with the return trip on a bus with 50 fish guys who had just consumed mass amounts of alcohol and BBQ, lol), but is was completely worth the trip.
His outdoor fish koi are the nicest I have ever seen. His fish room is beyond belief. Honestly...completely sick. I shot a few pics, but mostly video in the room. I'll post up the video later.
I had never understood fully the appeal of central American cichlids. Rusty's fish house has absolutely had an impact on the fish that I plan on keeping down the road (Synspilum anyone? lol).
They brought in great BBQ and the guys from Bermuda were serving up the dark and stormies.
His 2nd largest of 5 ponds
Rusty's water supplly setup... Complete with geothermal heating.
Li and AJ... the top row tanks in the background are all 7 foot 265+ gallon tanks. I think he has 14 of them, but may be wrong.
Anton and Ad were among those drooling over Rusty's tanks.
Didn't even notice that he had a pair of macaws until we were about to leave.
Man, that's a cool stadium..
Thanks again to Rusty and his wife for hosting. It was an experience that I will never forget.
Most slept on the way back to the hotel and the speakers began. I was able to see Steve Edie's talk on Tangs, Anton on Hemichromis (a brand-new presentation), Dr. Loiselle on Central Americans and some of Sam Borstein's talk on chanchitos starting at midnight.
We were out at the courtyard pool until 2 and I kicked Dave S. and Troy out of the hotel room at 4:50. It was a long day.
FRIDAY
Luckily, talks did not start until the afternoon on Friday. Highlights for me were Anton's CARES talk (another brand-new one), Heinz Buscher's Snail and Invert talk (outstanding video), Ad's talk on Anti-netting devices and hybridization in the lake (another new one).
After the marathon of great talks was the BABES auction. Needless to say, a good time was had by all. Many shots of tequila were had and many folks spent a lot of money for a good cause. Picked up a pair of L066 plecos, some holy-grail Taeniolethrinops juveniles, some A. nubilia and some very cool Thorichys ellioti (note comment above about Rusty's place impacting my fish-keeping).
Again, shut-eye came around 5 after a crazy night.
The BABES
Pillow Fort (note security guard in the back - he was laughing, btw)
Caroline, some skeezy guy
and Pam at the Cobalt hospitality suite.SATURDAY
Saturday morning brought a whole 'nother day of great talks followed by the awards banquet. I was able to catch another new talk from Ad on Melanochromis and Cynotilapia reclassification, Heinz Buscher's famous talk on Lake Tang (the most impressive video I have ever seen) and Anton's talk on collecting in Gabon before the awards banquet.
The banquet was quite nice. Food was great and the speaker, Charley Grimes was hilarious (think George Richter spinning yarns with pictures - all of the "fail" variety).
Wendy took home #1 for mbuna and CARES species for her demasoni, as well as #2 in the photo contest. Congrats!
I got first for the one fish I brought - my red jacobfreibergi peacock.
Saturday night was the crazy night of the last two. A bunch of the CCA folks sat up in the front lobby and drank beers until about 3, then the remaining folks moved to the back of the hotel and finished off the hospitality suite beer with Dave, Troy, Steve Edie, Sam Borstein (no beer for him though, lol) and a couple of others. Good folks.
SUNDAY
Sunday was fast and furious. Get the room packed up, the fish tubs torn down, hit a bit of the auction and get the heck out of Dodge.
We picked up a few nice things. Besides the stuff I got above in the BABES auction (and including some vender room items), I brought back:
- Astatotilapis sp. Tomato (sp 35)
- Cryptoheros panamensis (I have been corrupted)
- 4 pc L134 Leopard Frog pleco (Dan Ye preorder)
- 3 pc L333 King Tiger pleco (for Michael)
- Protomelas marginatus
- N. leleupi (Dave's fish donation for the CARES auction)
- Benitochromis nigrodorsalis (CARES Westie preorder)
- 4 pc adult Opthalmatilapia nasuta Green Tiger Magara (to fill in my group)
- Apistos for Sam
Most of the bags I picked up over the weekend. Believe it or not, only lost a few of my unsold juveniles I brought and one nasuta. The fish gods were smiling.
Thanks to my bud Mike Dunagan - president of the host club, CCAC.
So yeah. Anyone considering taking the trip next year should certainly pull the trigger. I can't imagine a better way to spend 4 days than with my fellow fish geeks.
Thanks for reading.
verbal
CCA Members
Thanks for the trip report Tony. I have to work on Denver next year
Avatar
Plenipotentiary-at-large
Post of the year
You have my vote.
Is it possible you're getting smarter?
You have my vote.
Is it possible you're getting smarter?
Tony
Alligator Snapping Turtle/Past Pres
Thanks fellas.
Considering the quantity of hoppy beverages and Irish whiskey consumed this weekend, not likely.
Considering the quantity of hoppy beverages and Irish whiskey consumed this weekend, not likely.
