[ShakerMike]

Does anyone know, can I import a used fish tank if it is emptied, cleaned and sterilised?

[Timbo]

I dont see why not, as long as you dont try to import the inhabitants as well.
What type of fish is it intended for?

[ShakerMike]

It's currently a tropical fish tank, but Mrs Shaker has visions of beautiful marine fish in it once it's cleaned and sterilised. Personally, I'm not sure you can clean a tank enough to switch from one to t'other once it's been used.

I also think it will be a million piece jigsaw by the time we get to Auckland but I lost the argument once she found a website for a fish stockist in North Shore :roll

[Timbo]

I hope you checked out the prices in Nz for equipment etc, as from what I am told it is VERY expensive.
It would probably be cheaper to learn to dive, if you dont already. You could then enjoy the spectacular show just up the road at the Poor knight etc.
As for the tank, there is no reason why you shouldnt use it for marines after having had freshwater trops in it. But, it is a lot more complex to keep them, and as I said, a lot more expensive.

If you want to ask the people in the know, have a look here;
http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/1-vt6045.html?postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[ShakerMike]

Cheers Timbo - I'll let MOH read up on it. I've already warned her that marines are expensive and difficult to keep. Personally, if we are going to the trouble of taking the tank, and it gets there in one piece, I'd stick to trops...but I'm not the boss :o

[sarahw]

We brought a brand new fish tank with us (it had been sat in our lounge for a year in the UK because we'd decided as soon as we had it delivered we were moving so no point to get it going) but the other used tanks we had (4 of them!!!) we gave away/sold.

I'd really recommend getting it cleaned providing it doesn't ruin the seals - its bloomin expensive over here & we haven't seen a tank as big as the one we've got (which isn't particularly huge in the UK scheme of things).

Fish aren't that easy to come by and aren't as cheap as in the UK but then again there isn't such a demand - you can get the usual freshwater ones, but I haven't seen too many marine fish - although there may be breeders here on the web, but then again you can get them shipped from other countries if you can find a reputable supplier that breeds rather than taking them from the wild.

Ian is wanting to get some discus fish going - we've heard through the local pet shop that they can get them in for us, but failing that we've got some details of places in Hong Kong that breed & ship them.

Good luck!

[StevieD]

What about buying the glass and making them yourself? Is glass expensive there too?
Silicone sealant is only cheap and it isn't difficult to make a tank. Just a thought.

Steve

[wendy potts]

Well I sold my 4ft tank a few months ago on ebay. It would have been a lot of work to clean it, I reckon it would be something MAF would really pick up on. Stevie building your own tank ain't that easy I looked into it before buying mine, you have to use a special silicone non toxic stuff which is quite expensive.

My opinion is sell it and buy in nz.

Daz.