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Katrina

@__heykaio

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A few of my favourite architectural designs from my last visit to Shanghai and Suzhou.

Growing up, I’d spend summers at my grandparent’s place in Asia. They grew up not having much so that mentality of scarcity stayed when they raised their kids. Because of that, I always felt an innate feeling of gratitude because wdym I get to see the world because of their hard work. So whenever I spent my summers there, it was simple and something I crave for now that I’m older.

Funny fact: I’m pretty sure the first pic is an entrance to a restroom. 😆 taken in China by @__heykaio

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6 months ago

Colour edits. Japan, November 2025. by @__heykaio

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7 months ago

私は自分のルーツに戻ります. 🖤

Colours - It’s the first thing I notice and often what sparks my creativity and inspiration. The colours, the light, the way shadows play against bright pops of orange, red, pink and sparkling blues — it all sticks in my mind and sneaks into my work without me even realizing.

Nature and its colours doesn’t just influence me—it guides me, often subconsciously. And when I look back, I see its fingerprints everywhere in my work. taken in Vancouver, British Columbia by @__heykaio

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a year ago

Swaying grass love.

The way the grass bends and flows reminds me of a river's current, the view you'd get looking down at moving water.

Plant name: potagemon gayi taken in Vancouver, British Columbia by @__heykaio

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2 days ago

Evidence of my recent gastromyzon purchase and it’s not the obvious clue. 😏

This is also a sand-only, no-CO2 setup. I'm a total gastromyzon fan, rare ones specifically, so CO2 never really made sense for me, and honestly I've never tried it. I started this hobby keeping ranchus in clean, bare tanks, so jumping into aquascaping has been a huge leap. Learning as I figure things out and one main thing I’ve learned consistently is to not rush into strong light settings and liquid ferts right away. I work with my livestock’s bioload first which in turn helps me find the aquarium’s balance.

Because of that, I'd say I'm more of a fish keeper first. A fish nerd who likes making nice homes for my fish in a glass box. taken in Vancouver, British Columbia by @__heykaio

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5 days ago

Found this gem from Lenny this week, so I’m just using this post as an excuse to use it. 🫶🏼

And I’m probably posting what looks like the same photos of this tank but they’re too pretty not to share. And no edits either, the most low key type of post - faveee. This was my coffee view this morning 🥹

Ps. answering a few q’s:
This is a sand only substrate with root tabs, no CO2.
I don’t use micro feeds that stay suspended in the water column to keep the plants cleannn. 🧽 taken in Vancouver, British Columbia by @__heykaio

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8 days ago

Some common questions I’ve been asked about this tank. I posted this on my stories and got quite abit of questions.

When I had the lotus and stem plant, the settings were a little trickier but now that it’s mostly epiphytes, it’s much more consistent.

This is based on soft Vancouver water.

ADA 45P
ADA 45cm glass stand
Chihiros CII
Eheim 2215

Buce brownie blue
Buce sordidula blue
Buce brownie ghost
anubias petite taken in Vancouver, British Columbia by @__heykaio

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10 days ago

PORSCHE x ADA

Who knew I needed this combo. 🖤

This ADA 60F has sat empty for a while, and I couldn’t decide what to do with it. The LEGO Porsche 911 RSR Technic was meant for my other 60F, but after taking some photos today, I think I need a second one 😍 taken in Vancouver, British Columbia by @__heykaio

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11 days ago

fallmaxxing 🍂 🏡 taken in Vancouver, British Columbia by @__heykaio

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12 days ago

for visual purposes only, too pretty not to share 🫶🏼

ADA 60P
ADA 60cm glass stand
Chihiros WRGB II slim (painted)
Fzone & VIV glass lily pipes
Eheim 2217 canister filter
Wavemaker (unnamed — looking for a better option)

(accidentally deleted the original, repost) taken in Vancouver, British Columbia by @__heykaio

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15 days ago

Nano fish in the 60P 🐟

When I first got into the hobby, I was drawn to shallow tanks. Because of them, my favourite way to view any tank is from this view, and that hasn't changed with my newer setups.

Moving water bends the view just slightly, and through the ripples, plants and fish appear in glimpses.

It's also how I like limnophila sessiflora best: still half asleep, leaves lightly curled in. 🌱

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#sawbwaresplendens #sundadanioaxelrodi taken in Vancouver, British Columbia by @__heykaio

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18 days ago

A set of photos from last week. Since I work from home, I get to see all the different lighting my tanks go through. Direct sun is the prettiest: the glass practically glows, and you can truly appreciate the craftsmanship and clarity of these setups.

No edits.

ADA 60F
ADA 60cm glass stand
ADA Aquasky RGB II
Fzone stainless steel lily pipes
Eheim 2215 canister taken in Vancouver, British Columbia by @__heykaio

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16 days ago