Moving a large reef................. internationally?

[Bryce M.]

Has anyone actually successfully done this? is this even possible?
With how things are going, it's looking like a move, pretty much a whole life restart in a foreign country...... considering options and that's what things MAY come out to, reef tanks survive this transition or am I going to have to let go?

 

[Oldreefer44]

Knowing from where to where would help but sounds like a restart is in order.

 

[KrisReef]

I wonder about travel restrictions for coral into other countries?

I’d let it go unless you’re only crossing a land boarder

 

[WVNed]

What can you replace it for there compared to what can you sell it for here plus the cost to move it.
I doubt you can move animals without special permits. Is the power even compatible?

Complex question.
I don't think I would try.

 

[Bryce M.]

Knowing from where to where would help but sounds like a restart is in order.

sadly yes, and it would be quite literally on the other side of the globe.........
just thinking of what I'm going to do, I don't want to give up my eel

 

[ravedood]

Mostly anything is possible if you have enough time and money.

 

[Bryce M.]

Mostly anything is possible if you have enough time and money.

hahaha yup, lots and lots of money!

 

[andrewkw]

You won't be able to move your live rock or corals with skeletons but you should be able to move your eel. That being said it will probably be at least 10x more expensive then getting a new one but I can understand attachment.

 

[Bryce M.]

You won't be able to move your live rock or corals with skeletons but you should be able to move your eel. That being said it will probably be at least 10x more expensive then getting a new one but I can understand attachment.

he's a good boy

 

[W1ngz]

I'd see if you can find someone to take him as a long-term eel-sitting arrangement. He'd still be yours so might help with the emotional side of the decision, but eliminate the huge headaches of moving him. Maybe a trusted LFS would keep him as a display?

 

[ccombs]

If you really want to discuss the logistics of power, freight, customs, etc. I can get into detail because it is a huge part of my job. I will tell you it will be insanely expensive, and potentially unsuccessful. Your best bet might be to find a friend that can take care of him so you know he is taken care of and maybe purchase a reef cam for your friend (that you can both access) so you can see your good boy whenever you please.

 

[SDK]

Having moved from NY to Oregon, then back to Massachusetts, I would say start preparing to let it all go....

Forgetting about the logistics of the aquarium for a moment, the amount of unexpected challenges and delays that are part of a long distance move can be overwhelming. The last thing you need hanging over your head is the responsibility of transitioning a living reef over.

Get your move done. Get settled and make sure you want to stay where you are going. Then enjoy the excitement of a fresh start with the reef...

 

[dopey]

Far from an expert.. but I believe in EU there is CITES which as someone else says basically any coral with a skeleton requires *stuff* to be transported, and that's just within EU. I might be wrong, but think it's basically to ensure the coral wasn't illegally harvested... so proof of origin and stuff. I imagine that be near impossible for most peoples current reef tank inhabitants.

Soft corals you can freely bring around Europe.

Going from USA to EU or elsewhere I can only imagine it's even stricter in terms of documentation/paperwork.

I did bring a cat from the USA to Europe when I first moved out of USA.. but that was fairly straight forward

.. I only know this little bit as when I was in Spain I wanted to bring back a few corals (Within EU borders). Posted a thread about the transport side of the question and got educated on the CITES side as well..

 

[Bryce M.]

I'd see if you can find someone to take him as a long-term eel-sitting arrangement. He'd still be yours so might help with the emotional side of the decision, but eliminate the huge headaches of moving him. Maybe a trusted LFS would keep him as a display?

The Lfs I bought it from my friend owns and she loved him, actually kept as display for a year. If it comes down to it, that's not a bad idea.

 

[Super Fly]

having moved few times internationally (w/o any livestock, just furniture and wife) I would highly recommend no as just relocating internationally in itself is demanding. But if you really must, then I'd leave the eel behind with someone reliable while you secure new housing (which could take weeks if not months), set up new tank AND check with the local livestock custom to confirm whether your eel is even allowed in said country. If it was me and I was moving somewhere distant across the globe, I wouldn't risk it.

 

[Qasimja]

a friend of mine moved from the usa to munich all his stuff had to be shipped in a cargo container on a boat i cant imagine moving live stock the tank etc the price will probably be so much more then just starting over

 

[Kostas G.]

It can be done with enough time and money, no regulation stands in your way if you prepare and pay enough. You would need to setup a tank where you are going to and find a fast airfreight way to move your live rock/corals. You could cooperate/pay a fish/coral exporter to get it done or arrange it yourself after getting to know the regulations and how to navigate them to get it done. It will be a lot of preparation, time, money and stress but it’s doable.
The eel you could move easily. If going to Europe, it can be as easy as packing it well in your checked in luggage. Or you could even fly with it in the cabin if you pay the fees and have health certificate on hand. It’s not that tragic, everything else in a move in addition to the reef is what makes it more difficult but if you take your time it’s doable

Best of luck

 

[Casey Erb]

Has anyone actually successfully done this? is this even possible?
With how things are going, it's looking like a move, pretty much a whole life restart in a foreign country...... considering options and that's what things MAY come out to, reef tanks survive this transition or am I going to have to let go?

Getting everything through customs could be extremely challenging if not impossible. And it’s very easy for customs officials to not care and trash or call for quarantine on everything. First thing I would do is check with customs/imports. Theoretically if you could have someone rush ship things to you once your new aquarium is set up, you could pull it off. But even then is it worth the enormous amount of effort? Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

 

[Jon Fishman]

I will 100% give your eel the best home I can.......

 

[Biokabe]

I'll add to the chorus of those saying, "Start fresh."

Having just moved a reef *within my house*, it nearly killed me. Add on the stress of moving to another country, setting up the new aquarium, navigating customs laws, and doing it all within a very tight deadline before things start dying... no.

If you love your eel, don't subject him to that. If you want to be reunited, then find someone to take care of him, get your new tank set up, and once that's up and running, arrange to have him shipped.