Pies Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 Livestock is held a 'private/commercial' facilities, often back garage type facilities. Not big, not flash, probalby cater to 20-30 boxes of live goods. From the private facilities the fish are then sold on to the pet stores. Some of the importers (Aqanet) will sell directly to locations without pet-store support (like here in Wellington, where their are no stores supporting the marine hobby) and assuming the volume is worth-while (typically 1+ full boxes). Drygoods are here, and easily available, often with a wait though not a great amount of stock held on big ticket items. One thing about price in NZ is the NZ dollar. Our dollar is fairly week in the grand scheme of things, and is about as high as its ever been right now. If you in NZ and spending US/UK currancy its a pretty attractive place to be. MAF has restrictions on importation here in NZ, and many animals are banned like Lionfish etc. Basically we have 'a list' and if its not on the list, its not allowed in. In my opnion though, its not a big problem for us. A few people here have commented on no 'stunning/rare' items being allowed in. No doubt that Hawaii (US dollar) and carabian (US dollar) cost a lot more than indo/pacific stuff. However for me, I can't think of little thats not available here, you may just have to wait for it to turn up. I have looked for all sorts of things, and to be honest have not found anything out-of-reach. The hobby is growing a little here too. Lots more competetion than ever before, more people importing etc so prices have dropped over the past 12 months. That aside its not a cheap hobby. Marinedepot.com is a popular place for us to purchase stuff and is often half the price or better than NZ availability for many items. The frag market is picking up too, many of us sharing corals to reduce startup prices for new reefkeepers. I live in Wellington, the NZ capitol city. Population of the region abut 400,000. I know of less than 10 marine tanks here, this will no doubt increase if a pet store starts supporting the hobby though. Cheers Pies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveweast Posted May 30, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 Yea...I guess I can do that....I will say that I'm going to watch for anyone with water dripping from their pockets.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 Do you guys mind if I ask questions?...even though I only have a small freshwater tank. In Steve's picture...besides the fish...is everything else in the tank "living"? Sorry know nothing but what I see here...and very confusing...but so amazed when I see these tanks! I asked somewhere here before...what is the difference with saltwater, marine & reef...are they the same? I know there are freshwater fish and saltwater...do saltwater live in all 3 I've mentioned above? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveweast Posted May 30, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 Pies....that's very interesting. My home town....Portland, Oregon.... is also about 400,000 in population. But, there are 150 in our reef club alone.... and, I guess anther 500 or so that don't belong to the club but who have reef tanks (judging by local fish sales where club members make up maybe 10% of sales) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveweast Posted May 30, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 Yes, everything is living in my tank. Some of those corals have been with me for coming up on five years now. In fact, today, I noticed that my red goniopora of four years finally dropped off a marble sized baby....cigars all around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 Baby goni! Congrats. That is interesting that the numbers are do high our populations are similar. Explains why whenever someone comes to my house they say "ohh my god I have never seen anything like that before in my whole life", because there are none around Reef vs. Saltwater vs. Marine. Saltwater and Marine are interchaneable, they are describing the same thing. A reef is a 'subset' of the marine/saltwater, a reef describing that the tank holds both fish and coral or just coral. Coral have far more demanding requirements than fish as a general rule. Marine/saltwater tanks are not much more expensive to setup than display quality freshwater tanks. Reef tanks however require a bit more care (money). Pie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 Congratulations Steve Thanks Pie for explaining to me...I love my little aquarium...but when I see tanks like yours & Steve's...they just blow me away! Of course all the pics I've seen here...salt & fresh...are downright amazing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 That is interesting that the numbers are do high our populations are similar i dont think the comparison can be made between towns/cities, its country vs country. US has a huge population vs a mere 4 million down here in NZ what counts is imports 'at the gate' + many other variables such as the number of those in the hobby. basic law of economics, supply and demand! coral's arent too badly priced here when you compare them to the states. i think the frag market here is definately on the increase. at least the hobbyist can get a bit of money back themselves once their own corals start to grow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 So...just to make sure I'm understanding...reef has just coral or coral & fish. You can have a saltwater/marine tank without coral? I saw somewhere on the net some guy had a marine tank with nothing "living" in it but the fish...so this is possible? I don't mean to interfere here guys...but you guys know so much about this stuff... Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveA Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 So...just to make sure I'm understanding...reef has just coral or coral & fish. Yes plus various other critters like shrimps, anemones, crabs etc You can have a saltwater/marine tank without coral? Yes Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 typically: - if you have coral in your tank, its called a reef tank (hence the coral reefs you see around the tropics, such as hawaii, great barrier etc) - saltwater/marine means it could be FO (fish only) or FOWLR (fish only with live rock) again, if you have coral, then you'd call it a reef tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 I really appreciate you all answering my questions...thank you soooo much had a marine tank with nothing "living" in it but the fish so...what the guy on the net said is true then...you can have a marine tank without any other "living" creature (coral, anemones, etc.)...only fish? Thanks for the patience guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted May 30, 2005 Report Share Posted May 30, 2005 yes. but it's preferential to have inverts, such as shrimps, crabs etc as they help clean and clean up after the fish some fish such as clown fish have a symbiotic relationship with anemones, while they can live in tanks without them, they seem happier with a host anemone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted May 31, 2005 Report Share Posted May 31, 2005 Thanks Chimera The clown fish are the "nemos" :lol: right? Yah, I have noticed in the pics, if I've got the right fish...they're hiding in the...ah... the anemones are the long looking tentacles, sorry, don't know what else to call them! I'd love to have a saltwater someday...but that would be far off in the future! Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveweast Posted May 31, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2005 Here ya go Caper. This is my nemo in his gigantea carpet anemone. Pics of them are always blurry....I wish they would hold still. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted May 31, 2005 Report Share Posted May 31, 2005 Thanks Steve! So I've got the right fish...and anemone. I love those fish...and the blue tangs, I think they are so pretty. I've seen so many beautiful fish in your pics here. Yah...I just do not understand why they won't stay still to get their pics taken...I guess they just don't understand "don't move" :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted May 31, 2005 Report Share Posted May 31, 2005 Steve - let the camera do the work, with a Canon 10D you should be able to take those clown shots and get them perfect. Thats a way cool camera - though not as good as the 20D Just manually increase the shutter speed! check this link out for some tips http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/viewtopic.php?t=5829 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted May 31, 2005 Report Share Posted May 31, 2005 Chimera - increasing the shutter speed will just make the photo darker, there is a lot more to it than that. More pics, they look good to me. Pie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimera Posted May 31, 2005 Report Share Posted May 31, 2005 quite obviously pies, I couldnt be bothered going into the details so gave him the link instead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_from_nz Posted May 31, 2005 Report Share Posted May 31, 2005 Wow Nice tank steve, I have seen your web site once before and was really impressed -seeing those photos only impresses me more I live in Napier and from what I have heard there are about 5 reef keepers in the area, although I would say that there will soon be more as there are 2 pet stores stocking marines and my store is currently cycling a reef tank. look forward to more photos regards, Daniel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Posted June 2, 2005 Report Share Posted June 2, 2005 Hi Steve Welcome to the FNZAS Board How long will you be in Napier for? /Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveweast Posted June 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2005 It's looking like 4 or five days at the end of September...I'm trying to arrange a visit to Fiji and Tahiti along the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted June 2, 2005 Report Share Posted June 2, 2005 Steve - Are you a scuba diver? If so I know of several great places in Fiji that are worth the effort. Pie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveweast Posted June 3, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2005 I do SCUBA....and so does my better half...but, her comfort level keeps us on the more novice/intermediate dives. Currently, I'm looking at a few days at the Qamea resort on Taveuni.....but, I'm still researching. For the potential Tahiti stop, I'm looking at the Bora Bora Nui resort. I know Hawaii really well...but, I've never been to the South Pacific...this is a whole new learning process for me. We probably won't find our way down in your neck of the woods for awhile and I don't want to pick a bad place to stay. Suggestions are welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pies Posted June 3, 2005 Report Share Posted June 3, 2005 Cool. The south pacific is the diamond crown in diving circules. Fiji is the soft coral capital of the world If you can I would STRONGLY reccomend Dive Kandavu on Kadavu island in Fiji. Small resort (max 7 couples), no shops nothing but real Fiji life and diving both in typical Fiji waters + the Great Astrolab Reef. 10/10. The resort caters to American Tourists (a plus for you, not such a plus for us . My partner is similar to you, she is a competant but not 'hard core' diver. but she loved it in Fiji, lots of reef diving, easy diving with lots to see. many shark dives and just an awesome spot. PM me your email if your interested, I am sure we still have contact names and numbers for them and I can send you some pics both above and bellow water. Pie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.