Setting up tank in Brisbane

[Jungle-mania]

Will be moving to Brisbane in the year to come and I want to setup my tank there. Tank wise, I will be making it there as it is cheap and the quality of workmanship is top notch. The only down side is that I need to get my other equipment here before going over to save on freight cost. I am looking to setup a 4 X 2 X 2 tank. Any recommendation or advice?

[BFG]

Here's my thought.

Tank Equipment
A) 2x 2028 ( + a 2222 for primary surface skimming canister )
B) A few of Eheim double tap
C) External Reactor ( 2 maybe if you want to )
D) CO2 solenoid, preferable one which has a good operating lifespan
E) Eheim Installation Sets for each canister
F) Accessories eg spare filter wool for the canister, surface skimmer, thermometer etc,etc.

Pack all these in a box and do not throw away the receipt if something happens to this box. Insured all your stuff if possible.

Lightset
A) A T5 lightset, 4x54w or even 6x54w lightset that comes with parabolic reflector. Use a good e-ballast.
B) T5 light tubes plus a few tubes as spares. Get a few spare reflector too
C) Lightset stand or hanging kit for the lightset

Pack the lightset in a sturdy box. The tubes and reflector can be housed in a large diameter PVC tube and must be compacted so that the lighttube do not bounce around during shipping.

Hope this helps!

[Jungle-mania]

Why do I need 3 filters? Wouldn't it be better to have just one big filter?

[BFG]

My thinking is that while 1 is running, you could clean the other and still have some form of beneficial bacteria present in the system with the other filter is running. A month or more later, you could clean the other canister filter after the 1st cleaned filter has accumulated enough beneficial bacteria in the filtration media. The 3rd skimmer is optional though, nice to have.

[pringles]

Hi Jungle mania,

You are right, you would be better off getting most stuff such as filters, solenoids, diffusers etc in Singapore. It is substantially cheaper there and you get more varieties.

Over here you won't find any problems with the Eheims, Fluvals and Jebos, but it would be hard finding other brands. It is quite easy to find Eheim parts.

The aquarium retail industry is way more competitive in Singapore and surrounding countries, thus the prices, but in the last few years in Australia, competition is starting to catch on.

All the best with the aquarium hobby in Aus. Most of the aquatic plants from the other Aussie states get their plant supplies from Brisbane, so I'm sure you will be entertained.

Cheers,
Pringles

[joydiv]

Shipping cost can be a killer, unless of course your company pays for all your shipping. A 25 kg box via air to Indonesia alone costs $280! Work out your sums and see if it is cheaper to just buy everything over there.