International relocation - what are my options?

[danvito]

Hi Clubbers,

I'm new to these forums, look forward to spending time with you.

I am the proud owner of a lovely Red Sea Max 250 aquarium. It's been up and running for almost two years now without a hitch. Unfortunately it looks like I may be being relocated out of Singapore back to my hometown of Sydney, Australia, in the near future. Obviously I would love to take my tank with me, however my big concern is that if I ship the tank home it may end up with a micro crack or some other damage in transit and end in disaster when I go to fill her back up in Sydney.

Does anyone have any experience with such a relocation? What measures did you take to protect the tank against bangs in the shipping container?

What options do I have for my beloved livestock? Obviously taking them home with me is out of the question. I guess I could return to my LFS, or maybe try and find someone who can give them a nice, safe, established home (I don't want my kiddies being used as canaries in a new tank!)

Alternatively I could look to sell my tank here, with all livestock and cycled water, and set up afresh in Australia. I have never done this but I assume it's easy enough to do without significant risk to the livestock. Can anyone comment on the second hand market in Singapore?

Thanks

Daniel

[LittleBurger]

Hi Clubbers,

I'm new to these forums, look forward to spending time with you.

I am the proud owner of a lovely Red Sea Max 250 aquarium. It's been up and running for almost two years now without a hitch. Unfortunately it looks like I may be being relocated out of Singapore back to my hometown of Sydney, Australia, in the near future. Obviously I would love to take my tank with me, however my big concern is that if I ship the tank home it may end up with a micro crack or some other damage in transit and end in disaster when I go to fill her back up in Sydney.

Does anyone have any experience with such a relocation? What measures did you take to protect the tank against bangs in the shipping container?

What options do I have for my beloved livestock? Obviously taking them home with me is out of the question. I guess I could return to my LFS, or maybe try and find someone who can give them a nice, safe, established home (I don't want my kiddies being used as canaries in a new tank!)

Alternatively I could look to sell my tank here, with all livestock and cycled water, and set up afresh in Australia. I have never done this but I assume it's easy enough to do without significant risk to the livestock. Can anyone comment on the second hand market in Singapore?

Thanks

Daniel

maybe u can breakdown a list of equipments n livestock u have. at least get an idea how's the response.

or u can check if u can export yr livestock to australia. I think need to find out from the lfs how to do it n whether they can do for u n u pay them a fee.

[danvito]

Hi LittleBurger,

For the equipment I would plan to move, there is a Red Sea Max 250 tank. The glass is moulded as one piece and I worry may be susceptible to cracking if not handled well. The rest is all chiller, hood, stand, etc, which I am fine with transporting in my cargo container. So, the tank itself is the bit I'm worried about. Given there is a chance of the container being knocked around on the truck or at sea, even if there is a small bump I'm sure that's the end of the tank. Worst case I didn't notice any crack and it explodes in my living room as I fill it up on the other end. Maybe I'm being overly concerned here. Just wondering if anyone has had experience like this.

As for livestock, I don't plan on taking it with me. The headcount is along these lines:

* Yellow Tang

* Sailfin Tang

* 2 x Damsels

* Percula Clownfish

* Anemone

* Cleaner shrimp

* Boxer shrimp

* Brittle starfish

* Clam

* Urchin

* Sea cucumber

* Christmas tree worm

* Two sea snails

* Various corals, such as bubble, mushroom, and several I have honestly forgotten the name of

The transit time for all my gear is around 4 weeks, so there's no point investigating shipping them down too. Aside from them having no home for at least a month, I suspect the quarantine team in Australia would have a heart attack if I tried to import them myself, and I would be more worried about them being lost in transit. They're staying in Singapore, that much I'm sure about.

Thanks

Daniel

[iskay]

IMO, better off starting a fresh down under. Sell or give away everything you have here. No point risking your living room.

LS import to Oz should be close to impossible. Each one of your LS might need a license, even the rocks! LOL.

[skjh]

Hi Daniel, You may wanna try to write to your local authority to see what is required of you if you wanna import your pets.

And from there you can decide your next step.

[Jamo]

Hi bro,

It going to be difficult to get import permit from Australia for live stocks, most of the time they will reject you. For those equipments you still can ship back if you want. Better start a new tank than shipping the tank back, its cheaper this way. At least you can save some cost on those equipments that you already have.

James

[spkentchai]

Yes you are right. aussie has very strict rules of what comes into their land and sea....for example...a wooden pallet that need to ship from singapore to Aussie need to be fumigated for 24hrs before it is allowed into Aus...

So my take is to start afresh there and it might just be cheaper to do it that way...

Just my 0.02

[danvito]

Thanks everyone for their input. I am not planning on importing the LS. Definitely more interested in hearing people's experiences of relocating the equipment though. I guess the tank would have needed to be packaged and shipped internationally to get into Singapore, so there must be a way to safely package it up again to get it back to Australia.

Alternatively, if anyone's interested in buying the tank from me - fully cycled and with LS - please let me know.

Cheers

Daniel

[danvito]

Hi guys,

Sadly I have decided I must sell my tank. If anyone is interested, or knows someone who might be, here is the ad:

http://singapore.craigslist.com.sg/for/3187317365.html

http://singapore.gumtree.sg/c-Community-pets-Amazing-salt-marine-aquarium-cycled-tank-1-5-years-250L-W0QQAdIdZ402347268

(also include DI water filter - forgot this from ad, price negotiable)

I will also sell the livestock as a unit if anyone is interested.

Please let me know - 9111 6626

Cheers

Daniel