Reefing in Europe

[Coral&Cocktails]

So after taking my time setting up a small tank and JUST getting back into reefing I have just found out big news…. We’re moving to Europe, France to be exact!
Does anyone on here have any experience with reefing in Europe?

Is it more or less expensive than what I’m use to in the US? Is there more/less that will be available fish, coral, macroalgae, equipment wise?

Any talk of time in Europe, especially France will get me excited for the move and is a very welcomed comment too, reefing or not.

 

[get-salty]

Forget the tank, lets talk about you moving to France !

Very cool and good luck on your next endeavors.

 

[Coral&Cocktails]

Forget the tank, lets talk about you moving to France !

Very cool and good luck on your next endeavors.

It is very exciting indeed! Military orders changed pretty quickly. We’ve put down roots where we are now and will be upset to leave but excited to come back in a few years.

I’m a stay at home mom so have always welcomed the opportunities we get to be able to up and leave whenever we were to get a chance like this, and we’re taking it.

My husband and his parents have visited many parts of Europe and are excited to go, I’m excited too but more in anticipation of what is next.

We are avid outdoors people so I’m sure we’ll travel all over the place any chance we get and I’m hopeful my husbands job will be a little less stressful so we can do more as a family

 

[Gumbies R Us]

My grandparents usually take a yearly trip to Europe in January. Usually, it's to go buy priceless ornaments or other Christmas decor for their house (they have your typical grandma house). Super exciting for you and your family to move up to France! The EU has a decent-sized reefing community. Some brands that you can readily get here are hard to get or impossible to get over there. So you might have to adapt to some new brands over there.

 

[Coral&Cocktails]

My grandparents usually take a yearly trip to Europe in January. Usually, it's to go buy priceless ornaments or other Christmas decor for their house (they have your typical grandma house). Super exciting for you and your family to move up to France! The EU has a decent-sized reefing community. Some brands that you can readily get here are hard to get or impossible to get over there. So you might have to adapt to some new brands over there.

So excited to come back with some crazy wood hand carved Christmas decor or grandfather clock. lol I may still be in my (late late late) 20’s but fully down to have a cozy grandma aesthetic house lol.
I was thinking the same on equipment. I’m hoping that the equipment is a little better quality in some areas and I’ll be able to bring some stuff back home with us when we leave.

 

[That Crusso Kid]

So after taking my time setting up a small tank and JUST getting back into reefing I have just found out big news…. We’re moving to Europe, France to be exact!
Does anyone on here have any experience with reefing in Europe?

Is it more or less expensive than what I’m use to in the US? Is there more/less that will be available fish, coral, macroalgae, equipment wise?

Any talk of time in Europe, especially France will get me excited for the move and is a very welcomed comment too, reefing or not.

Congrats on the upcoming move!

I do recall seeing a post of yours about being married and your husband is military.

As @Gumbies R Us mentioned, there is a good number of reefers throughout Europe and some of their equipment is different, and some say better, than what we have here, in the US.

While I know a number of reefers in Europe, there are any number of them on here. However, none of them are in France but I am pretty sure they'd be willing to help you out.

@atoll
@Lasse
@TOM-779
@SPR1968
@i cant think

 

[Coral&Cocktails]

So after taking my time setting up a small tank and JUST getting back into reefing I have just found out big news…. We’re moving to Europe, France to be exact!
Does anyone on here have any experience with reefing in Europe?

Is it more or less expensive than what I’m use to in the US? Is there more/less that will be available fish, coral, macroalgae, equipment wise?

Any talk of time in Europe, especially France will get me excited for the move and is a very welcomed comment too, reefing or not.

Congrats on the upcoming move!

I do recall seeing a post of yours about being married and your husband is military.

As @Gumbies R Us mentioned, there is a good number of reefers throughout Europe and some of their equipment is different, and some say better, than what we have here, in the US.

While I know a number of reefers in Europe, there are any number of them on here. However, none of them are in France but I am pretty sure they'd be willing to help you out.

@atoll
@Lasse
@TOM-779
@SPR1968
@i cant think

Omg thank you for @ING everyone! I will take my time to go through their threads!!!

 

[That Crusso Kid]

I may still be in my (late late late) 20’s but fully down to have a cozy grandma aesthetic house lol.

Let's just say that I could easily be your dad but am not looking to give my house the "grandma aesthetic" vibe. Not now. Not ever. lol

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Congrats and thank you and your husband for your service! Very exciting indeed! And such a valuable learning opportunity for the kids!

 

[Coral&Cocktails]

I may still be in my (late late late) 20’s but fully down to have a cozy grandma aesthetic house lol.

Let's just say that I could easily be your dad but am not looking to give my house the "grandma aesthetic" vibe. Not now. Not ever. lol

I don’t want the “cluttered” grandma look, more the collection of priceless pieces that come with stories that involve family, friends, and adventure

 

[That Crusso Kid]

Omg thank you for @ING everyone! I will take my time to go through their threads!!!

Although I cannot vouch for @TOM-779 , but he does seem like a good guy, the rest are all solid people. Between @Lasse , @atoll and @SPR1968 there is probably about 238 years of reefing experience. SPR1968 has stepped away a bit as he has been spending more time travelling lately. And @i cant think is an invaluable wrasse expert.

 

[That Crusso Kid]

I don’t want the “cluttered” grandma look, more the collection of priceless pieces that come with stories that involve family, friends, and adventure

And be careful that you don't somehow get that "old people" smell in your home. lol

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

And be careful that you don't somehow get that "old people" smell in your home. lol

But if you do you won’t know it. Haha!

 

[Lasse]

@Gaël - Any chance that you can give these people some tips about reefing in France. They are moving to France.

Is it more or less expensive than what I’m use to in the US? Is there more/less that will be available fish, coral, macroalgae, equipment wise?

You may be a little surprised about the standard of reefing in Europe compared with the US and may get some perspective. The ground zero of modern reefing is Germany - do not forget that. France may have among the best public aquaria I have seen in Europe.

However - I know very little about the reefing community in France - I hope that Gaël can give you some tips

Many of the US brands still exist in Europe but most of treatment chemicals and antibiotika are banned. Leave the "little treatment chemist" at home and learn practical husbandry of old school instead

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Clowning_Around72]

You may have slightly different levels of availability for some species. I would recommend reaching out to good German suppliers for livestock.

Some species may be more common than they are in the US, others less common.

I know in southern europe, Mediterranean and red sea fish showed up way more than they do in the US. Mediterranean damsels are quite lovely by the way.

Just like how Caribbean fish are cheaper if you live near Florida.

 

[That Crusso Kid]

@Gaël - Any chance that you can give these people some tips about reefing in France. They are moving to France.



You may be a little surprised about the standard of reefing in Europe compared with the US and may get some perspective. The ground zero of modern reefing is Germany - do not forget that. France may have among the best public aquaria I have seen in Europe.

However - I know very little about the reefing community in France - I hope that Gaël can give you some tips

Many of the US brands still exist in Europe but most of treatment chemicals and antibiotika are banned. Leave the "little treatment chemist" at home and learn practical husbandry of old school instead

Sincerely Lasse

Thanks @Lasse

 

[TOM-779]

Although I cannot vouch for @TOM-779 , but he does seem like a good guy, the rest are all solid people. Between @Lasse , @atoll and @SPR1968 there is probably about 238 years of reefing experience. SPR1968 has stepped away a bit as he has been spending more time travelling lately. And @i cant think is an invaluable wrasse expert.

So after taking my time setting up a small tank and JUST getting back into reefing I have just found out big news…. We’re moving to Europe, France to be exact!
Does anyone on here have any experience with reefing in Europe?

Is it more or less expensive than what I’m use to in the US? Is there more/less that will be available fish, coral, macroalgae, equipment wise?

Any talk of time in Europe, especially France will get me excited for the move and is a very welcomed comment too, reefing or not.

Hey congratulations on your move to EU.

I am just a stones throw across the channel in the UK neighbour. lol...

I also just wanted to let you know about Whitecorals.com they ship from Germany - even to hear in UK at great places check them out for real ocean live rock if /when your ready.

Anything I can help you guys with just let me know
Good luck

 

[Coral&Cocktails]

@Gaël - Any chance that you can give these people some tips about reefing in France. They are moving to France.

Is it more or less expensive than what I’m use to in the US? Is there more/less that will be available fish, coral, macroalgae, equipment wise?

You may be a little surprised about the standard of reefing in Europe compared with the US and may get some perspective. The ground zero of modern reefing is Germany - do not forget that. France may have among the best public aquaria I have seen in Europe.

However - I know very little about the reefing community in France - I hope that Gaël can give you some tips

Many of the US brands still exist in Europe but most of treatment chemicals and antibiotika are banned. Leave the "little treatment chemist" at home and learn practical husbandry of old school instead

Sincerely Lasse

Thank you for your comment!! It spurred my excitement for the trip even more!
Very excited to hear about the public aquariums as I’ve been so unimpressed with the local ones around me lately. Seems as though the price is going up and up just to see multiple tanks with the same species in them and half the exhibits in waiting for a renovation that never seems to come. My kids are small and don’t mind as I’m sure most other people but for an actual fish enthusiast not so much… I will say our zoos are fantastic, still obnoxiously priced though. I have had the opportunity to go to the Aquarium in Okinawa Japan which was jaw dropping to say the least.

“Leave the "little treatment chemist" at home and learn practical husbandry of old school instead” - YES. I have a degree in environmental science and loved discussions on ecosystems. I treat my tanks that way… Every pest usually has a predator, the more biodiversity the better, every animal has a task, etc. I’ve never been one to pour in bottled chemicals to fix problems and wish it wasn’t pushed so much here just because it’s easy.

I look forward to hearing from your friend hopefully and more from you as well! If there are any specific must see places please list any! I would love to plan lots of roadtrips while we’re in Europe.

 

[Coral&Cocktails]

You may have slightly different levels of availability for some species. I would recommend reaching out to good German suppliers for livestock.

Some species may be more common than they are in the US, others less common.

I know in southern europe, Mediterranean and red sea fish showed up way more than they do in the US. Mediterranean damsels are quite lovely by the way.

Just like how Caribbean fish are cheaper if you live near Florida.

It’ll be super exciting to see the differences in selection and availability for sure!

 

[Idech]

How exciting !

I’ve never been to France but I have been a member of French forums for years and here is my take. French hobbyists are in general very knowledgeable. They care greatly about their animals and they try to do it in the most natural way possible. They have a lot of the same brands we have here, and others we don’t but I wish we did.

Be ready because they use the Latin names for fish, coral, inverts. None of those easy names we make up in North America. They also only talk metric.

I think you are going to like it !