Reefing in Europe

[Hans-Werner]

I wish you a very good time in France and in Europe.

Since borders are open in the Schengen Area you can visit Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and other countries without problems. Also international shipping in the Schengen Area is no problem.

Unfortunately we have just lost the Vivarium fair with MACE in the Netherlands but in southwest Germany we have the Reefmania fair now.

I can't compare reefing in the US and Europe. More and more shops use fantasy names over here too, but in general still scientific names are used. Since you are a scientist this should be no problem for you.

I think in many ways Europe and the Europeans are a bit different from the US, some positive, some not so positive. I hope you will like it.

If you like trekking and walking outdoors, I think Europe is a good place. In general forests and the countryside are open to recreation activities with little regulations in most parts. Although most parts are private property you will hardly notice it, few fences, few "keep out" signs, you are free to use almost every way you see.

 

[That Crusso Kid]

I wish you a very good time in France and in Europe.

Since borders are open in the Schengen Area you can visit Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and other countries without problems. Also international shipping in the Schengen Area is no problem.

Unfortunately we have just lost the Vivarium fair with MACE in the Netherlands but in southwest Germany we have the Reefmania fair now.

I can't compare reefing in the US and Europe. More and more shops use fantasy names over here too, but in general still scientific names are used. Since you are a scientist this should be no problem for you.

I think in many ways Europe and the Europeans are a bit different from the US, some positive, some not so positive. I hope you will like it.

If you like trekking and walking outdoors, I think Europe is a good place. In general forests and the countryside are open to recreation activities with little regulations in most parts. Although most parts are private property you will hardly notice it, few fences, few "keep out" signs, you are free to use almost every way you see.

Thanks for your input, @Hans-Werner . I am not sure how I forgot to include you when I tagged people. Perhaps it's because I do not see you here much anymore.

 

[JeffryH]

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.

Check this saltwater coral store in Germany. korallen-zucht.de

 

[Coral&Cocktails]

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 !

Someone else just mentioned Latin names being used more typically, guess I’ve gotta study up on more than just French! Also metric will probably be the death of me.

 

[Coral&Cocktails]

I wish you a very good time in France and in Europe.

Since borders are open in the Schengen Area you can visit Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and other countries without problems. Also international shipping in the Schengen Area is no problem.

Unfortunately we have just lost the Vivarium fair with MACE in the Netherlands but in southwest Germany we have the Reefmania fair now.

I can't compare reefing in the US and Europe. More and more shops use fantasy names over here too, but in general still scientific names are used. Since you are a scientist this should be no problem for you.

I think in many ways Europe and the Europeans are a bit different from the US, some positive, some not so positive. I hope you will like it.

If you like trekking and walking outdoors, I think Europe is a good place. In general forests and the countryside are open to recreation activities with little regulations in most parts. Although most parts are private property you will hardly notice it, few fences, few "keep out" signs, you are free to use almost every way you see.

I am so excited to go tour as much of Europe as we can like you mentioned. It’s nice you guys are able to cross borders so easily and explore around you. Ive heard many stories of beautiful hikes all over but specifically Germany and Switzerland. We are also avid water enthusiasts; swimming, jet skiing, boating, wake boarding/surfing… I haven’t heard much from friends/family as they aren’t usually as into it as we are. Do you know if water-sports are very popular in Europe?

I’m hoping we are welcomed in Europe even though we are pretty obviously American probably, and we will not be on an American base so we may stick out even more. We are very courteous of others and not loud or obnoxious as many view Americans (I’ve been around enough places to know we get a bad reputation sadly, although I know it’s not always untrue). I’d like to “fit in” as much as possible and I’m excited to make new friends. I’ve heard French may not like Americans even less than some other cultures but I hope we make a good impression

 

[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.

Check this saltwater coral store in Germany. korallen-zucht.de

Will put it on my list of places to look into!

 

[Coral&Cocktails]

After hearing all your guys’ comments on fish keeping overseas sounds like I’m about to get spoiled and need to find an apartment willing to let me have a bigger fish tank than I thought I’d want

 

[Zeeth]

Good luck with the move! My wife started a job as a chemistry professor in Southwest Germany recently and I'm planning on moving over once my current job contract is up and I get credentialled to work there, so I'm currently pricing out a 40 gallon tank to get her started until I can move over and can take care of something bigger. I've been spoiled by having Tampa Bay Saltwater in my backyard, and Worldwide corals and Topshelf aquatics a few hours drive away, but the online availability in Europe seems decent.

 

[Lasse]

If you like trekking and walking outdoors, I think Europe is a good place. In general forests and the countryside are open to recreation activities with little regulations in most parts. Although most parts are private property you will hardly notice it, few fences, few "keep out" signs, you are free to use almost every way you see.

If you like hiking and stunning nature - check up the Scandinavia countries Sweden, Norway and Finland - they all have unique laws that garant you freedom in the nature

Allemansrätten - Sweden's right of public access

"The Right of Public Access", or 'Allemansrätten' as we call it, gives everyone the freedom to roam and explore the beauty of our country.

visitsweden.com

The right to roam | Guide to roaming where you want

In Norway, everyone has the right to access the countryside, including its national parks.

www.visitnorway.com

Finnish everyman's rights | Visit Finland

In Finland, nature isn't just wild; it’s free for all to enjoy - respectfully, of course. Learn about what Finnish people call “The Everyman’s Rights.”

www.visitfinland.com

Denmark has not these freedom laws

Also metric will probably be the death of me

Or you may understand the logic in this system and understand its beaty. As an example calculate how many ppm NO3 it will be if you convert 1 ppm NH4 totally by nitrification to NO3 - to make it easier calculate in freshwater. If you are familiar with the metric system - easy as pie.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Janci]

In France you will be well positioned for reefing. Each surrounding country has great saltwater communities and online shopping makes it easy to buy what you need.
There are some good online stores for livestock in Italy, Germany, Holland and of course France too.
For equipment and innovation, Germany is leading in my opinion. Although many of the US items are also here available, you might like the EU options more.
I will dig in my bookmarked links and send these over in a pm so you can have a look at the options for equipment and livestock.

I hope you a great time in France. They are most open will welcome you easily. In some places, language might be a barrier, but that is easily solved with some lessons, some wine, baguette and cheese.
Enjoy!

 

[Hans-Werner]

I am so excited to go tour as much of Europe as we can like you mentioned. It’s nice you guys are able to cross borders so easily and explore around you. Ive heard many stories of beautiful hikes all over but specifically Germany and Switzerland. We are also avid water enthusiasts; swimming, jet skiing, boating, wake boarding/surfing… I haven’t heard much from friends/family as they aren’t usually as into it as we are. Do you know if water-sports are very popular in Europe?

I’m hoping we are welcomed in Europe even though we are pretty obviously American probably, and we will not be on an American base so we may stick out even more. We are very courteous of others and not loud or obnoxious as many view Americans (I’ve been around enough places to know we get a bad reputation sadly, although I know it’s not always untrue). I’d like to “fit in” as much as possible and I’m excited to make new friends. I’ve heard French may not like Americans even less than some other cultures but I hope we make a good impression

Since we have not too many big lakes, water-sports are most popular at the coasts. By the way, the Mediterranean Sea is really a great place for snorkeling and diving. It has a bit of rocky coasts in every country, full of sponges, sea squirts, macroalgae, gorgonians in deeper water, and of course fish. It doesn't have coral reefs but everything else.

I can't speak for France, but in general Americans are very welcome in quite every European country. Several countries play movies in original language with subtitles in TV, so there is hardly any language barrier in these countries. Movies and pop culture are messengers for American culture and Americans. So there is at least an imagined familiarity with American culture and Americans in Europe. Maybe this gives a crude image what to expect.

 

[christa55]

Dutch reefer here from the netherlands. 2 day drive to france. You find you can reef easely. My tank fir example only runs on a skimmer and all for reef. Byt you can go overboard here aswell.

 

[Lasse]

Dutch reefer here from the netherlands. 2 day drive to france

May I ask if your trip goes via Sweden then? If it takes 2 days, I mean!

@Coral&Cocktails - I´ll think it will take 2 hours

Sincerely Lasse

 

[christa55]

May I ask if your trip goes via Sweden then? If it takes 2 days, I mean!

@Coral&Cocktails - I´ll think it will take 2 hours

Sincerely Lasse

Its 16 hours from my place to the South of france. You want to rest some place

 

[That Crusso Kid]

Its 16 hours from my place to the South of france. You want to rest some place

I'd make it in 12 hours. Then, even though I'd not be in Cognac, I'd still rest and enjoy some fine Cognac!

 

[Lasse]

South of france

South of France - that´s another question - but you reach the border of France from the Netherlands border in a couple of hours.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[BZOFIQ]

Be sure you're not buying your next tank in "metric gallons" - your tank will be a lot smaller.

That said, its a different world out there. Enjoy.

 

[Coral&Cocktails]

I am so excited to go tour as much of Europe as we can like you mentioned. It’s nice you guys are able to cross borders so easily and explore around you. Ive heard many stories of beautiful hikes all over but specifically Germany and Switzerland. We are also avid water enthusiasts; swimming, jet skiing, boating, wake boarding/surfing… I haven’t heard much from friends/family as they aren’t usually as into it as we are. Do you know if water-sports are very popular in Europe?

I’m hoping we are welcomed in Europe even though we are pretty obviously American probably, and we will not be on an American base so we may stick out even more. We are very courteous of others and not loud or obnoxious as many view Americans (I’ve been around enough places to know we get a bad reputation sadly, although I know it’s not always untrue). I’d like to “fit in” as much as possible and I’m excited to make new friends. I’ve heard French may not like Americans even less than some other cultures but I hope we make a good impression

Since we have not too many big lakes, water-sports are most popular at the coasts. By the way, the Mediterranean Sea is really a great place for snorkeling and diving. It has a bit of rocky coasts in every country, full of sponges, sea squirts, macroalgae, gorgonians in deeper water, and of course fish. It doesn't have coral reefs but everything else.

I can't speak for France, but in general Americans are very welcome in quite every European country. Several countries play movies in original language with subtitles in TV, so there is hardly any language barrier in these countries. Movies and pop culture are messengers for American culture and Americans. So there is at least an imagined familiarity with American culture and Americans in Europe. Maybe this gives a crude image what to expect.

Thank you for your responses, they’ve been very detailed and informative!
We are going to be staying on the southern coast in Toulon, the pictures make the area seem so beautiful and fun. There seem to be a few public beaches and I cannot wait to snorkel with my little ones and show them everything that’s different from the ocean where we live now. I imagine we will be spending most of our warm days by the water.

 

[Coral&Cocktails]

Dutch reefer here from the netherlands. 2 day drive to france. You find you can reef easely. My tank fir example only runs on a skimmer and all for reef. Byt you can go overboard here aswell.

Gorgeous tank, love how streamlined it is and the modern looking stand