Aquatopia

Hi I saw this short clip on youtube - there seems to be some debate over what it is so I thought I would ask for some of you plec experts to have a go ? Whatever it is it looks stunning :-)

The only part of the (very small) unit/section i am on that gets any sunlight is too open and they would get nicked.

Eh ? :-?

So, Ive been surfing the net like a kid outside a candy store with no pocket money, but thats OK, thems the breaks for now - but found this on youtube;- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-lrpIqVZAQ Do we get any of these colours from the gene pool available in NZ ?

OK outdoors is not an option for me.

HaNs - i dont know much about native geckos yet but why do you think a permit would not be granted for indoor cages ? Im assuming because natives are best kept outdoors, is that right ? Do most people who have natives keep them outdoors ?

Yeh thats what I thought- as i recall seeing the belt sander when the old owner of critter kingdom on blenheim road gave me a tour of his workshop and fishroom out the back. i would have loved the Harlequin Tuskfish he had in the tank out there.

Ah right - i didnt realise polishing was different to taking off rough edges. Though would a fine sander not do the same or would the sand paper not hack it ? I dont really understand the difference I guess.

Thanks HaNs - I will check it out.

Is getting a license a simple thing ? From what I understand you have to submit an application supported by evidence that you know what environment to provide and that you can provide it (preferably already have it set up and waiting ?). Then the license is granted depending on what group you are applying for ? Naturally I would want to jon the herps society and a local club too.

LOL - i should have looked at the bottom enclosure for reference - i just saw the top ones and they looked like they were attached to the ventilation grills. Still a bit sleepy obviously, haha. Since you do a lot of glasswork is it worth looking for a cheap belt sander on TM or someplace ?

To be honest is getting a big tank fixed any more of a hassle than a small one ? If you get someone like Bob at Redwoods to do the work he would probably be able to collect it and fix it then bring it to your cafe. You've got three hours, lol - make a few calls. He may even have the necessary glass knocking around. A cichlid tank ? I was thinking more manta rays, lol.

Thanks - may just do that but need to sort a few other things out first

Alan thats stunning !! You have been a busy guy What are the little silver blobs by the ventilation ?

Thats true - i agree - the owners at the time had an excellent reputation (not meaning the new owners dont of course, lol)

Thanks, thats true - and I have done a fair bit of thinking in the past 24hours on this. There are still some lovely fish and reptiles that are within reach for most so maybe being content with that should be sufficient until things change I had no idea prices were higher in Aussie though. ALANMIN, BARRIE, LIVINGART - Thanks for your comments, I appreciate your acknowledgement Cheers - maybe thats something I might consider looking into a bit more, as I know there are some lovely native geckos here

I thought he said in the questions and answers that its 2' 6" tall - well he actually said 2.6' (which would make it 2' 7 1/2") Not being pedantic but think this would make a difference.

Its not a dumb thing to consider - well maintained aquariums look awesome in cafes and other public places - it would be a point of interest and probably a bit of a crowd puller (assuming the muffins and coffee is nice too, lol). I think IRA is right - Im amazed it was made of 10mm glass, especially considering it was made by a "reputable" aquarium manufacturer. The shop that made it used to make tanks of all sizes. Have a word with bubble_squeak profile on here The money thats on that tank at the moment is pretty good and the glass has got to be worth the current bid - but it depends on what you want to spend on the rest of it. If you act quick and talk to the right people early tomorrow morning you will have time to consider your bid. I look forward to seeing the finished article if you decide to go ahead.

I second mystic on that one, though you could go the whole hog and buy a giesemann set up which has programmable moonphase lights I understand (used mostly for saltwater setups). Im sure thats overkill for what you want. IRA - can you remember any more about the warehouse option you suggested ?

LOL - One of the LG's i had back home had more attitude than a rottweiler let alone a chihuahua You are right though - it boils down to whether we think something is worth it, and being worth it often boils down to whether we can afford it - though not always. Sometimes we even buy things we dont think are worth it just because we want it. (That sounds confusing I know). :roll: Anyway, someone has kindly PM'd me to point out that I seem to be getting a bit stressed too often over certain topics - pricing in NZ being the main one. They have enabled me to realise the truth of this and I agree I have allowed my frustration get the better of me. For that I must apologise to the forum members. What makes it difficult for me is coming from a country where availability, choice and price are all completely different from what I am experiencing in New Zealand. I guess I am finding this hard to adjust to, and certain comments about "people whining about price" were as a red rag to a bull. I took the bait and should not have done so. At the end of the day, I hope my comments will be seen as they were intended - an honest desire to see such beautiful things (be they leopard geckos or certain expensive fish) available to all who appreciate them, born from frustration that this is the case elsewhere - call me a naiive Robin Hood type if you like. I realise its an idealistic hope, but we can all live in hope. Until then, I will shut up and put up until either the price changes or my financial situation does

I suppose they can. I was being obstinate. Im a leo ! :oops: Funny though - because I could care less that I can't afford a lamborghini but it bugs the bejesus out of me that I can't afford LG's. Go figure

Im not interested in your life story - its your attitude in your previous post that sucked as far as Im concerned - you came across as saying everyone should be happy to pay a lot of money for something I consider is still overpriced.

well we agree on some things at least, though im still not convinced on the concept lol.

Its nothing like comparing it to a lamborghini - i hardly think you could describe leopard geckos as the lanborghini of the reptile world ! I also think that commercial breeding is totally possible - if I had the money spare I would do it myself - not to make myself a lot of money but to bring the price to a more affordable level.

I think you need to get off your supercilious high horse mate - clearly you have money to burn but not everyone is loaded. Most people would find $1500 a huge amount to pay, and don't have the option of tossing up between a $1500 reptile and a 1000L+ aquarium set up. Good for you if you have such a fortunate financial situation, just don't lump everyone in that boat !