Im back!!! ...well I should be soon

[aaron]

Hey everyone. remember me? I guess its been a while, but those of you who have been on this site for a while will. Half of you probably have bits of my old tank and livestock in your systems- how are the fish going Kathy?
I have finally taken the first steps towards getting a new tank up and running in Sydney Australia.
I have been tankless now for about 18 months - trying to focus on getting moved in and getting the apartment in order, but a mate of mine who owns a tank maintenance business here told me today that he has a tank for me.
Its about as big as I could possibly manage in an apartment - 36" long x 20" front to back and a massive 36" deep. Its actually deeper than I would want, but I cant really complain as it includes a stand and sump.
I plan on doing plenty of DIY work on it as usual, so keep an eye out for the thread when it starts. I also plan on collecting a good deal of my own livestock. unfortunately I have kind of missed the boat for this season, but next summer, I am planning a diving expeditions at the beach down the road.
Well I should pick it up this weekend, will post pictures soon.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Glad to hear you're back!

 

[Awibrandy]

Welcome back Aaron!! It's great to have you back.. Really looking forward to seeing this new build and really excited about the fact that you will be collecting your own animals. That is so awesome......................................

 

[MO~IDOL]

Welcome back!

 

[junglebase]

Hey Aaron, good to see you back in the forums.. i bet you do not miss Union Square.... :splitspin

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Aaron just one rule, no rubbing in our noses the awesome stuff you are going to get cheaper than wee will :lol2:

 

[DevIouS]

Hey Aaron!

 

[scubabr53]

Hey, welcome back.

 

[House of Laughter]

Aaron,.

How goes it bud - throw up some pics as soon as you have something - good to see you back in the groove.

House

 

[noodleman]

hey arron, welcome back :flower:

 

[ShaunW]

Aaron, wait for me!!!!!! since I think I am going to have alot of time on my hands when I am not surfing or being a beach bum.

 

[masterswimmer]

Welcome back mate. Next MR swap should be down under!

swimmer

 

[Bob 1000]

Welcome back Australian Aaron,,lol.. Been a while..

 

[KathyC]

Hey everyone. remember me? I guess its been a while, but those of you who have been on this site for a while will. Half of you probably have bits of my old tank and livestock in your systems- how are the fish going Kathy?

Hiya Aaron Great to see that you are getting back in, it's about time..lol
The fishies are doing great, I even got the YT to fatten up...I'll post up some pics of them for ya.
I can't believe it's been 18 months already!!
Like the others, definitely looking forward to see what kind of sweet corals and fish you have access to down there, I'm sure the tank will be spectacular!
My best to Alice too!!

 

[aaron]

No worries Shaun, there will be plenty to do when you get here. I need to rebuild a stand, amass my equipment and cook some rock before things really get going.
One thing that is quickly becoming apparent is that equipment is hella expensive down here. Its pretty much the case for almost everything, not just reef equipment.
Most things work around double the cost they would be in the US. I may be making a few long distance purchases on this website and getting stuff shipped. Or offering holiday accommodation for anyone who wants to be a "reef mule" bringing stuff down here for me.
Anyone have any cheap Luminarc reflectors they want to donate to a struggling australian reefer? I'll pay for shipping, or pick you up from the airport.

 

[aaron]

Well here's the first update / setback.
My friend runs a tank maintenance business and he got a tank from a client who has just gone bankrupt. Its about the biggest tank I could ever fit in my apartment - 36 long, 36 high and 24 deep front to back. It came with display tank, crappy stand that will need to be stripped back to the frame and reclad in ply and an awesome sump. unfortunately as we were carrying in the sump, one of the glaziers suction cups gave way and the sump smashed into a million pieces in front of my building. So now I will have to get a sump made up, which is not a great start to the "very cheap" tank I told my wife we were getting. On the plus side i get to spec a custom sump from scratch, which will include a fresh water top off reservoir. The display tank is currently facing the wall, once I get someone to help me move it (its 5/8 glass and weighs a tonne) I will take a couple of pics and post them.

 

[KathyC]

Sorry to hear about the accident with the sump..but the tank sounds fantastic! Pics when you can
Why are the parts so expensive down there - are they all shipped in? Nothing manufactured there?

 

[Marteen]

Sounds like someone is going to be busy with DIY projects.

 

[aaron]

Even though we are way closer to asia, where most stuff is manufactured, we have a small population which = less buying power. But more importantly I think it is the Australian importers who jack the prices up, as they know Australia is so isolated there is no competition. Fortunately I am able to get some things at cost which is similar to retail in the US. The other hassle is that we run on 240Volt which means I cant buy any electronic stuff from the US.
Still I guess its all worth it when I can walk out the door down to the end of my street and jump in the harbour and pull out something like an olivaceaus Tang.