[FFXI] AF3 Upgrade Question's

ok this is for the people out their that i see in the pictures and all with AF3+1:

1) after starting the trial to up grade to a +1 how long did it take you 2 get the required items and such.

2) are the items you needed drop from the new Abyssea NM's or do they come from else where or both?

3) last question when doing some of the trials to get to +1 armor will you need 18+ or just a normal party of 6 or are some of them solo?

dunno if these questions are just random but i just wanna get an idea on what all it is required and how hard is it to get i mean i know SE really never makes things easy to get in this game but i wanna get a few tips and things from the people with AF3+1's and Thanks