As you have heard, the massive earthquake and tsunami hit, North-eastern coast of Japan on 11 March 2011, since then a group of brave workers of Fukushima Npp were Battling explosions and radiation leakage in an attempt to plant a crippled under control.
Although it may seem a world than most of us, these events can have a very real impact on our hobby aquascaping. Many companies, which make the tank deliveries are based in Japan, with Aqua Design Amano and Hikari, is best known. HELL is located in Niigata Prefecture (about 100 miles from the most destruction: Sendai) while most of the facilities of Hikari are in southern Japan.
Each at the headquarters of the HELL that is closer to the affected area of Hikari, is good. Gallery has suffered little damage, if any, with all tanks survived the earthquake. Apparently HELL stands and tanks are designed to withstand earthquakes. However, as you can see in the map above, ADA Gallery and headquarters (A day) not all that far from Fukushima nuclear installation which has been leaking radiation for the last two weeks. Since the HELL substrate product, Aqua soil, are collected nearby, there is some concern over radiation levels in the product. HELL is quick to release a statement stating that they are watching the level of radiation:
Our national and local governments monitor the level of emission of each hour, and we do not see any abnormal value of radiation, reported from the field of collecting. In addition, we are not collecting these soil every day, and now we have been working the soil collected before the earthquake. The raw materials of our AQUA soil series are collected from a layer of Earth in the ground, and we don't see any concerns the settlement of soils contaminated by radiation. Therefore does not have the effect of radiation in all SERIES of AQUA soil and it remains as an ideal substrate for aquarium use.
Even if the radiation is not a problem, the General destruction of roads and ports and other infrastructure, together with the interruptions of the power to delay certain consignments of HELL products in the United States. If you were planning to make all requisite ADA purchases in the near future, and the products are in stock, I will go ahead and do them now only in the case. As a show of support for HELL and the Japanese people shop on ADG offers special transaction of Aqua soil with 10% of revenue goes to the Japanese Red Cross. Remember though that this is pre-order and that the Aqua soil is not in stock at the moment, so if you are in a rush to set up a tank, you may want to connect with everything in the ADG to see when they expect their next shipment. ADA Gallery in Niigata is also opened his gallery, seven days a week until further notice to guarantee a relaxing escape from destruction.
The international aquatic plants layout contest (IAPLC) of HELL is not impacted or so delayed, however, to continue to work on your comments!
In the meantime, Hikari has most facilities in southern Japan, but will likely to be affected by damaged infrastructure and shortage of power. There have been many references to the computer to the website of Hikari, but United States channel their Facebook and Twitter have posted video of koi farm during the earthquake and offered his condolences to those impacted. Again if you depend on Hikari products (for example, say a special cat food) you may want to think of it now in case there are interruptions of availability.
One thing probably does not need to do and must not be panicked buying. HELL and Hikari products will continue to be available, you can just have some brief delay. Will update this post if I hear anything else of product availability or delays by Japan.
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