Setup reef in Iraq?

Tat2d

Tat2d

Premium Member
Hi everyone, I am home on my R+R from Iraq, I head back on the 8th of March. So much free time got me to start thinking (kind of scary :eek1: ) I am considering setting up a little nano in Iraq when I go back. When I was in Kuwait I saw a 100 gallon tank full of chiclids that was great so it cant be that far of a stretch to go salt reef in Iraq. My ideas are a tank like a 12gallon Nanocube, some live rock, a little bit of sand for looks, and a few hermits and snails. A fish would probably not be possible since shipping times is usually 4 to 5 days to Iraq (not too bad considering) but I am wondering if a mantis could make the trip, that would be cool, just have to scratch the hermits and snails. Here are the questions I have for yall:

Name a few low light corals (stock nanocube lights) that can survive 4 to 5 days shipping if any?

Any livestock that can survive the shipping (fish, shrimp, mantis, hermits, snails) ?

Any issues you can think of with setting up a reeftank in Baghdad?

Am I completely crazy for thinking of setting up a reef in Iraq?


About the only thing I have access to in Iraq is water, we have bottled water like you wouldn't belive. I also have none of the supplies, I don't even have one of those little swing arm hydrometers or any salt or a tank or anything else, so if any of yall have anything you could sell to me cheap for this maybe upcoming project please pm me.
 
The shipping sounds tough. You'd have to insulate against temperature extremes in transit (and after?). Hermit crabs are about all I can think of that would probably survive. A tiny damselfish in a little water with alot of O2 might make it. There are also ammonia binding products (e.g.-"ammolock") that you could try adding to the water. I'd forget about hard corals. Softies might be ok. In most areas you can get kenya tree frags for free from other reefers, so why not try. Maybe someone with shipping experience has some better method. Good luck!
 
Dont have anything to sell you but if you get over there and still want to do this get a hold of me and I'll send you some stuff if you need it.

Shane
 
dude, I was there and one thing that was bad was the power situation. Are you guys still on generators? What if yours went out for a while? I can't think that a nano would stand too many fluctuations. Besides, if you go out on mission for a while, who do you trust to watch/feed/maintain/top-off your tank? I wouldn't risk it. But if you have your heart set on it, i'd talk to some of the local nationals you got working on post. There's bound to be some of them that know, or know of, someone who keeps aquariums. They may have a lead on some reef clubs or something that can get you hooked up w/ something. For dry goods, use the online places, like liveaquaria. But for your livestock you're gonna have to stay local, Europe at the farthest. Look into airlines, or shipping companies, that fly into BIAP on a regular basis. By the way, where are you stationed? If you're close to Bghdad, you'll probably have more luck with finding someone local to help you. Otherwise, good luck and keep your head down. Hopefully, you'll be home before you know it. Let me know if I can get anything for you while you're there. What's your job over there, by the way? Hopefully you're not an 88M. Take care.
 
Sorry, just saw your bio info. You are stationed in Baghdad i see. Maybe the Int. zone? You may have luck with the local nationals after all. I'm not sure what their aquarium club scenes are like over there, but you could give it a shot. Good luck, man!
 
I don't have any advice for you on setting up a tank over there but I just felt the need to say THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
cfarrow is right, check with the local aquarium shops. That way you have someone locally to deal with. When you transfere out someone else can take the tank over. KISS keep it simple sweety. Remember whoever take over the tank maintenance for you most likely will not know what they are doing. You can design a tank that can handle the power outages. Commadeer a computer power supply back up and hook up an air pump for when the power goes out. Don't take any livestock from the States to another country.

God bless you brother I believe in what you are doing.
 
thanks

thanks

just wanted to say thanks also!!
my son is also serving in Iraq it is his second tour with the 101st Army.
God Bless You!
 
Hi Yall,

Sad to say but the reef tank idea is scratched for Baghdad. By the time i got the tank setup, and rock sent out and cured (4 to 5 days transit), tank cycled and stable it will be getting close to time for me to be heading back. I leave Iraq for good in Oct/Nov timeframe and I cant do too much with a reef in that time frame and I dont know anyone who can/will take care of it after I leave. I am sure I can find someone who wants it, but will they take care of it and whatever is in it. Plus I am out more than I am in, sometimes for days at a time, doesnt leave much time for reef maintenance, especially on a nano. Basically until I get home, I'll make do with my aquarium screensaver and looking at pics on reefcentral. Although I am looking at purchasing a decent size aquarium setup for my home here, my family will look after it for me until I get back so all is not lost on my reefing. Well thanks for the help everyone, I really appreciate it.

Donnie
 
Hey Donnie,

When you get back PM me. I will hook you up with some free frags as a "Thank You" for protecting us...from one military family to another! :rollface:
 
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