Chicago Aquatic Experience, And The Youtube Fishy People.

Just returned from Chicago and it was a fun event, my first one. I understand it is moving east next year, perhaps to New Jersey, so others will get a chance. There will be videos galore when everyone gets home. I'll post some links up as I see them. Perhaps by tomorrow. For now I'll share my day and tell you why I loved it.

Three hour ride and I was about the first one in the door when it opened. The event was about 50/50 salt and fresh. A lot of vendors and I picked up some free fish food sample, most HikarI which I like. I might actually pay for some if they would stop sending me samples when I order sponge filters lol. A few other odds and ends freebies. Could have gotten more, some people did, but I feel uncomfortable panhandling lol.

A full schedule of seminars with VERY HIGH quality speakers, but had to make a short day so I can get my wife to the airport so it was just a $12 show floor pass for me.

A lot of good vendor displays. A good place to see new gadgets we don't really need, and also displays with lights filters and such.

Fluval sponsored an aquascape competition. Oh wow were the participants talented. If I spent a month I couldn't build something that amazing and they did it in a few hours. The losing tanks were incredible.

Selfies with sea lions/seals. Hope there is vid because I can't even describe it adequately. The seals were on a stage and people put their back to the stage. Seals would lay their heads on the persons head, put their flippers on people shoulders, and really cheeze it up. It was really cool.

Best part was the youtube #fishfam as it is called. They were all near each other. Met a lot of people I watch daily.

Cory McElroy and SushimI Whiskey aka "Jimmy" were there. Cory dropped $4000 on quality T-shirts and gave them all away. Autographed if you wished and I got mine. Obviously he makes some money off his fame and said he wanted to give something back at the show. He is a nice guy and we chatted awhile. He asked me if I would like to have dinner with the fish nerd youtube gang after the show. I had to come home and I missed a real opportunity.

Met Bob Steenfort from Steenfort Aquatics. Another nice guy and I watch him often.

Joel, aka Corvus Oscen was there. Real nice guy I recently discovered. I hope to talk him into a few discussion topics soon. He's a real smart guy that has been in the hobby a long time, and on youtube nine years.

Met Jeramy aka "SGT Tanks". Yet another good guy. He is wheelchair bound which I never knew from his vids or Facebook group. An under the influence driver messed him up bad in 2011 but he isn't letting it get him down too much. Tank maintenance has to be tough because he has a lot.

Flip Aquatics was there with a nice display. Robert I think, correct me if I am wrong. I'm not into shrimp yet.

And then there was Dustin, Dusty or "D" as he refers to himself, from Dustin's Fish Tanks. Not everyone appreciates his humor but that guy is a hoot. Some may have seen his recent Sham Wow spoof video. Yeah, he was wearing the headset from that vid all day and had pink gravel on hand for anyone that might need some lol. He's my favorite skinny white guy gansta that doesn't actually live in the hood. It's a personna but I find him entertaining.

A few others I didn't get to talk to attended. Roma Aquatics, The Fish Nerd and surely more I am unaware of.

That's it for now except I hung out with the Imperial Tropical's gang some and met the owner and staff. They brought me a few cool fish because it is getting too cold here for anything but expensive overnight shipping. They have some VERY nice fish and promise it's getting better with some rare wild stuff soon. They have a lot of bigger cichlids but I am into smaller stuff. They brought some amazing rams and discus. Makes my LFS stuff look real low grade.

Guess that's it for now. As I said there will be vids and I will post links. Several youtubers were shooting video for sure.

 

Sounds like a Great Time. Wanted to go but had to work. Maybe next year. Looking forward to the links.

 

Sounds like a great time. Thanks for sharing your experience!

 

Wow, what an incredible experience. So glad you got to go! Thanks so much for sharing!

Your post inspired me to finally contact Imperial Tropicals. I'm in south FL, only 4 hours away from them so no worries about shipping in the winter. I almost want to visit them, but honestly, shipping will be easier for all involved. Hoping they can get me something that's not on their current stock list.

 

Your post inspired me to finally contact Imperial Tropicals. I'm in south FL, only 4 hours away from them so no worries about shipping in the winter. I almost want to visit them, but honestly, shipping will be easier for all involved. Hoping they can get me something that's not on their current stock list.

Get a hold of me and I'll tell you how to have their new breeder Joe hand pick fish for you. He'd be happy to do it if I ask. He is unbelievably passionate. It's not even a job to him yet. I know he would love it if his boss knew his presence there was adding business. He is doing very well breeding but the fact is they compete with two bucks an hour Asian labor. Challenging for him to justify his keep when his boss can just order disease ridden junk from overseas like everybody else. His boss seems to think longer term than that but it's a tough business and it has to be tempting to not bother breeding quality stock.

 

Thank you! I will get a hold of you.

 

I'd love to attend something like that.
That Dustin sham wow spoof is hilarious. I stumbled upon it the other night.
Sean Peck (Pecktec) was in the aquascaping contest. I saw his entry photo.

 

I'm going tomorrow! First time as well, but from what you said, it sounds like a blast!

 

I'd love to attend something like that.
That Dustin sham wow spoof is hilarious. I stumbled upon it the other night.
Sean Peck (Pecktec) was in the aquascaping contest. I saw his entry photo.

Well there is my first fail I enjoy Sean's videos. We were looking over their shoulders as they aquascaped. I was probably three away from him and never even knew it. I don't mean to act like such a groupie but these guys are so down to earth. Famous in our hobby but don't act like rock stars. I truly enjoyed talking with everyone I had a chance to.

And a funny note on Dustin he probably wouldn't appreciate me sharing here but it was funny.... Dustin shows up like a half hour late to his booth. Perfect gelled hair but still looked liked he'd been out too late last night. I overhear him tell a kid if somebody would go get me a coffee they can have a free plant. He had a tank full of easy and unexpensive plants. Kid glances at plants and says "dude you're in Chicago and a good coffee is probably like 14 bucks". Didn't happen, free coffee hustle big fail lol. Just kidding, nobody actually knew what a cup of coffee cost. I do know a simple hot dog and a coke was $9.75.

 

Big fan of Dustin! I could see how he could turn some off but I like his high energy and genuine enthusiasm about the hobby and for what he does. Pretty entertaining for sure, sounds like an awesome trip!

 

Sounds like the best day! Great experience and what fun!

I can't watch Dustin... his shtick is off-putting, but, I'm old and crotchety that probably has something to do with it.

 

Sounds amazing.... next year in nj huh??? That might be the best news I've heard all week (and it's been a pretty good week!)

Congrats on the new fish, what'd ya get????

 

Sounds like the best day! Great experience and what fun!

I can't watch Dustin... his shtick is off-putting, but, I'm old and crotchety that probably has something to do with it.

I'm even older but I understand the marketing angle he is targeting.

Sounds like the best day! Great experience and what fun!

I can't watch Dustin... his shtick is off-putting, but, I'm old and crotchety that probably has something to do with it.

I have made my wife and daughter watch exactly one fishtube vid

Now every time I buy a new fish they ask if it's a gangsta fish. This video is funny.

 

Sounds amazing.... next year in nj huh??? That might be the best news I've heard all week (and it's been a pretty good week!)

Congrats on the new fish, what'd ya get????

I picked up another, or maybe my first EBR female. She has a cool orange head. Or maybe I already had a female in my pair I bought from Imperial last week. Don't know why but EBRs are the toughest rams to sex IMO when they are young. There is no patch under the dorsal, the bellies show no red/pink spot on juvenile females. You look at the rear of the dorsal and that's about the only clue. Way harder than GBRs to sex, or golds And I got a replacement Koi sword male. Mine found a gap by the filter and committed suicide. All swords jump but this strain is unreal. They were switching tanks at will during the show today. I saw Imperial staff putting them back where they belonged repeatedly. But I've never had even one die that didn't jump so I'm OK with the strain. I move them by floating plastic bowls. If you don't put your hand over the bowl they will jump while you walk to the new tank you intend to place them in. They need meds for hyperactivity lol.

 

There will be a lot better video when these guys get home to edit but here is a livestream from Jeramy (SGT Tanks) a few minutes ago. A lot of the fishtubers mentioned already are in this vid. I forgot Lucas was there. I think he was participating in the aquascape competition in some capacity. And Jeremy seems sure the even is in NJ next year. I would think that was decided this weekend while attendees were present to discuss potential venues.

 

Sounds like you had a lot of fun! Wish I could go

 

I love Dustin's intro and enthusiasm: ". . . bringing it to youuuuuuuuu on a Sunday, BABY!" Possibly my favorite fish youtuber. He also called out Taylor Nicole Dean. Not really familiar with her, but just thought it was funny. He just doesn't care