Moving from USA to Norway

[ergert]

I live in Texas and we are going to be moving to Norway. I dont know where, maybe Oslo. My wife is Norwegian and wants to live there again.

I love this hobby. I plan on sending my nano tanks to Norway with my lighting.

The corals I like are Xenia- Pom Pom, Pulsing, Ricordia, Green star polyps- simple corals.

I have maroon clown, anenome and my favorite fish - Pearly Jawfish.

Can you tell me if there are a lot of stores in Norway that sell saltwater fish and coral? I am going to have to leave these corals and fish here, but I want to start again when I get to Norway.

Is it really expensive? Here Jawfish are about $20.00, anenomes are $35,
Clownfish are from $12-$40 depending on what you get.

Do you have bags of live sand? Do the stores there have water made so you can put in your tank?

I am afraid that when we get there we wont have much to choose from and everything might be very expensive.

Can someone answer my questions? Thank you.

Eric

[H.A.Z]

Here is my thoughts on this,

you will probably find many prices double, but some might also be the same as in the states. My area is abit cheaper than the Oslo area luckily.

Stores have bags of live sand yes, and I would think many stores have water made. Most places in Norway you also have the option to collect water from the sea, or just use tap water (won't be any harmful), many people here still opt for having their own RO/DI though as a way to be sure not to get that cyano and algae.

Nicely colored Ricordea is quite uncommon here so you might be able to do some good trades on that. You'll be able to trade alog of nice frags I am sure anyhow.

[norskfisk]

Opprinnelig postet av ergert

I am afraid that when we get there we wont have much to choose from and everything might be very expensive.

Yes, that is how you will experience Norway, definitely.

In the local fish stores the prices can be really ridiculous. As an example I can mention a particular good that I checked the price of in my lfs (I think it was a test kit). In the store it cost twice as much as in a Norwegian net shop, which again had a significantly higher price than in the US.

The way we work around this is to order equipment from net shops. In Norwegian and European net shops you can find all equipment at reasonable prices. Live stock is exchanged through societies or the like. I wouldn't say it is a problem to be in the hobby if you live in Norway. Just a bit more challenging.

[Tage]

The saltwater hobby isen`t new in Norway, but the amount of people that have taken the step from fresh to salt water aint huge :?
But we r comming there to.... The more saltwater freaks there is, the larger amount of orders to the dealers.. Then dealers can have a respecteble price out to the custemour.

The clue is to find the right dealer for u, and maybe try to stick whit it.
U will be suprised how personal relationship u can have with a saltwater dealer here in Norway COME IN FOR A CUP OF TE OR COFEE..

But dont worry about the new startup when u arrive Norway... it aint a bigger "problem" here then anywhere else.

[ergert]

Thank you for your replies. I will have my equipment shipped there. I just have 2 - 29gallon aquariums. I have the filters and lighting. I wont be able to bring my live corals or fish of course.

I think the best way is like here, you find people on websites like this and either trade or buy frags- little pieces of coral for little money.

Maybe I will start a saltwater store there, who knows.

I love ricordia. It is expensive here for them- $20 and up just for one polyp, but I am sure wherever I am in Norway, I will be able to find people who can help me out finding the best places with the best prices.

I still dont know where we will live in Norway. We have family in Steinjker, but I need a city being in one with 5 million people right now, but you said it is more expensive in Oslo.

What about crossing the border to Sweden? How is the saltwater hobby there? Is it cheaper? More to chose from?

I guess what I am asking is will I be able to go to Norway and get my Jawfish, clowns and soft coral like I do here or will it be very difficult to get what I am asking for? Thanks again for your answers. I need to start getting to know people now so when I eventually get there I will have connections. I wont be hard to spot- the crazy American who is addicted to Saltwater aquariums :lol:

Here are some pics. The jawfish is my favorite item. I have 2 living in the hole. I have to be able to get those in Norway.

[ergert]

More Pics. I just like the simple stuff.

[frontosa]

Opprinnelig postet av ergert

I have the filters and lighting. I wont be able to bring my live corals or fish of course.

Do you now we have 220Volt here and not 110volt as you in USA?
You maybe need an inverter before you can juce your exipment over here.

[ergert]

Yes I will have to get a converter for 220.

I might just start my own store there and use someone here in the states as my importer for the fish.

I dont know if you have to have a license to have fish shipped in large quantities in Norway or if they dont care.

I know that I could sell Percula clowns for $18.00.

[alf-magne]

18$ for a clownfish is`nt realy so much off the prices we get here in norway. the lfs yousaly takes inn large quanteties of fish and the prices ar usualy very good. in oslo they got 2 good lfs and they have a reputation for charging a little more for the same livestock that we get over here.
but there are several "basement-shops" that ar located near by oslo that have realy good prices!

as far as the ricordea goes.... i would`nt have to much hope geting my hands on one... realy rare over here. down i europe the go 60$ a polyp....

i dont think it will be a problem getting a Jawfish, they ar fairly common.

and yes, you will need a license for importing fish from the states. and you have to apply 25% sales tax on that price you are referating to on those clowns.

chers!

[clown]

Opprinnelig postet av alf_magne

i dont think it will be a problem getting a Jawfish, they ar fairly common.

That's not my experience , never seen never heard about someone hwo keep this fish in Norway , last time i asked in a store , they had not heard about this specie , but maybe there's a posibility to order them in Oslo...
...would like to have these fishes , me too ...