Just introducing myself  5/26/08 Hey Bob, Been talking with Jason Kim from Aqua C and he said I should shoot you an email and introduce myself and my new store going up in North Park. I am opening a new LFS in North Park on 30th and University. The business name is Fish n' Frags. We will be having our grand opening on September 1st 2008, as we are currently finishing up with the build out.<Ahh, congratulations... good name... and welcome to the trade>The tanks are all being custom built by Lee Mar Pet, skimmers and reactors from Aqua C. We will have a 96" x 36" x 22" coral holding tank and a 48" x 36" x 12" grow out/frag tank. Along with that we will have 6 - 24" x 18" x 22" tanks for smaller fish and 3 - 36" x 18" x 22" tanks for tangs/angels. In researching a proper way to run a fish only holding system I'm surprised that I can't find much info. I want to only hold a small amount of fish at any given time to assure I'm only selling healthy specimen. But, with saying that, I can' figure out for the life of me what would be the proper way to set up a filtration system on this setup. <Do look over the Aquatics Business subweb on WetWebMedia.com re... a sump, mechanical filtration (likelz a cartridge or two in series) and adequately sized UV is what I would go with... perhaps with at least part of it being live (a refugium). In concert with a routine of dipping bathing incoming fish livestock, this should keep you out of the copper habit... much to discuss> The coral tanks will run completely independent of the fish system, so I would like to medicate the holding tanks. Could you give me any advise as to what I should run for filtration? Should I use a bio balls? <Better to use a bit of live rock... and skip on the standing medications...> I guess I'm just stumped on how to set this up to assure I'm keeping a healthy system for the fish. Any advise or recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks Matthew Knoll <Heeeee! Have a bunch to proffer... do feel free to write, call on me if when I can be of service. Bob Fenner out at the end of Interzoo in Germany>

Petsmart selling non-aquatic plants?  5/26/08 BOB - I used to get "regular" plants at Petsmart with no problems. Out of USA for six months, now back - setting up again. <Always an adventure> Saw your previous feedback on the Petsmart "tube system" for selling plants (as of 2006 I believe) as being OK in Europe for years. Well - that might have been OK in 2006, but... <Am out in Germany, now... at the end of the industry's largest trade show (Interzoo)... and such plants are not sold from Europe (and Tropica, the innovator is still going strong... even having moved last year), but the tube system plants are still about in the US> Just for fun got several at Petsmart I didn't recognize. Went to web for info before planting as there is no information at all on the tubes. It turns out that several I cannot even find using Latin or common names, but on various websites there seems to be significant concern with Petsmart selling terrestrials as aquarium plants - Kyoto Grass Plants (Ophiopogon Japonica) as one of several examples. Umbrella Plant (Spatyphillum Wallisii) as another. Actually I saw NO tube plants that I could even recognize except for an Amazon Sword. I just assumed a Google search or an Aquarium Plants search would turn up appropriate info that the TOPFIN company had been to lazy to supply and Petsmart couldn't bother to detail. Now I suspect I know why - they are not "normal" aquarium plants at all, or at least not for the average hobbyist. This is bizarre... <Mmm, the mass merchandisers do change their assortments... too often... and most all of their buyers are decidedly NOT very aware aquarists> The tube system seems excellent in concept and I don't object to that, but selling unusual plants with no supplied recommendations from either TOPFIN or Petsmart is BAD, then finding out that most seem to be not suitable for aquarium use is even WORSE. Comments? <Cave canem... no, wait... not beware of the dog, but let the buyer beware... too many folks, big stores and independents, selling non aquatic plants... for submersed use. Bob Fenner> 

Petco -- Where the fish go... maybe not to die? 05/14/08 Hey, guys. I know I've written to Bob a few times about my job at Petco. Both complaining and ranting and a bit of positive (most of the positive coming form my actions, though -- not the company's!). Anyways, what are your odds on Petco getting a Harlequin Tusk out of Australia and not the Indo-Pacific? <Mmm, depends on who the supplier is... the price likely drives corporate to buying the P.I. ones> Question asked because we've had one at our store for a few weeks now. He's much bluer than the Indo-Pacific ones I've seen at most LFSs and has eaten mysis like a pig since we got him. <Good signs> Well, he was originally $90. $15 sale + my 20% discount + another 25% coupon off and he was a $40 fish. Really too much off to resist. He's in my quarantine and is, of course, eating like a pig. A few specs of crypt (which don't bother me as all of the other aspects such as him being alert, swimming calmly around, and eating a lot are much more important factors to me) to lose in the QT, but everything else about the fish leads me to believe he's an exemplary specimen. I do despise ONE of our two suppliers, as the fish are constantly terrible, but the other has delivered some fantastic fish (Bartlett's Anthias that have eaten the day we got them and have done fantastic in customer's tanks, plate-sized yellow tangs with the same results, etc etc). <Ah, good> Not sure where this tusk came from, but I've gotta admit -- it's pretty nice. I'm not usually one to buy our own fish, but the new supplier (A&M Aquatics) has given us some nice, extremely healthy stuff -- so props to them. <Good> On to the second question pertaining to the few specs of crypt. I treat my fish with Crypt-Pro (Quinine Sulphate) from National Fish Pharmacy (great people, great product). I've seen and heard of tusks being sensitive to some medications. Any idea how they react to the Quinine treatment? <Usually w/ no problem> I'd assume fine being that it's recommended for sharks and rays as well. Just getting a second opinion. - Jon <Please... do stay in the industry. We need good people. Bob Fenner>

Re: Petco -- Where the fish go... maybe not to die? 05/15/08 It's trying working their sometimes, Bob. Never been a fan of the regulations -- such as having to keep the return flow UP so it creates more air -- what a faulty, backwards premise as you'd be keeping everything stirred and give the animals some water flow if you'd face them down or bounce them off the glass.  A shame that some of the people there in the higher ups are simply so obnoxious as well. But what can you do? It's come to be expected by me to never get my way when working there and to have to do everything I need to behind others backs! <Perhaps you're a candidate for self-employment...> But I think I tend to recommend people here and to your book more often than not -- as well as send them off to other stores at times as well that I know have what they want and sometimes a healthier stock (though I do think I keep our animals more healthy than a few LFSs that I can name off the top of my head... which is sad!). <We might spend some time discussing PetCo's "role", placement in the trade... it is more the beginner to intermediate... freshwater arena> Either way, I enjoy it -- even if it's a stressful and frustrating job at times ("Can I keep Nemo in a bowl!?!?" "Can this goldfish live in a bowl foreverrrrr?!"). I plan to open up my own shop after a while when I begin teaching as planned in a few years. Thanks for the encouraging words, Bob, as always. You're good people. - Jon <Keep your eyes on the prize Jon... and be yourself... Life is indeed a series of compromises, but never to sell oneself... Cheers, BobF>

Fish Trade-ins? Do you know if any store accepts a fish as a trade in.  We have a yellow tang that is sometimes very aggressive.  There was a time that we wanted to get him of the tank ASAP but had nobody to give him.  The store we bought him from does not take fish back at all.  He is very healthy.  Also, my husband just bought a $40 Naso Tang and he/she is not the bright colors that I really wanted.  I really wanted him to try to exchange it also. Is there any hope in finding a place that will take as trade? Thanks very much, Helene <Hello, Helene.  There are many stores that will work out trades, or offer store credit for trade ins, it depends entirely on the store.  Most of the time you will end up losing on the deal, especially with more common fish.  Find some other stores in your area and ask them what their trade in policy is.  Many stores will take fish only as donations.  New fish are usually under a lot of stress and do not exhibit brilliant colors until they are comfortable, give the Naso a chance.  Your best bet is to plan the purchase ahead of time so you will not have to worry about a trade in.  Best Regards, Gage>

training PetCo aquatics people Hello Mr.. Fenner, <Hello Tori> My name is Tori Craig, and work for PetCo in the aquatics department. I have been asked to train our people within the company on the care and management of the animals in our department. I have looked over the manual that they have developed for this purpose. <Mmm, am familiar with the co., and manual... I worked for three years developing the "set" and product mix (as much influence as I could given the circumstances there... am sure you're aware of what I'm hinting at...> I have found some inaccuracies with some of the information that we are trying to train our people to know. in order for this program to be the most effective, we need to start with the most up to date, accurate information that we can.  <Agreed> I was hoping that sometime in your busy schedule you might just take a look at some of the things I pulled out, and let me know what your "take" on them are. <Will try to... and/or send them about to the excellent cohorts here> I am looking for a professional/educated opinion on the information that we are going to be giving our people. if you find some inaccuracies, please let me know because I will be presenting your interpretation of the curricula to our regional manager.  <And they in turn to corporate... Brian Devine, Mike Woodard (is he still there, in chg. of Op.s? Know my boss, Larry Asselin is gone...> I believe that we need the best information from the start, so we can provide these most delicate of animals with the best possible care. thank you for your time, <A pleasure and honor.> Tori Craig aquatic specialist INFORMATION TO BE ANALYZED: 1. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO CYCLE A SALT WATER TANK PetCo says 4 to 6 weeks, and can have more fish added <Varies... with live rock, sand might be "instantaneous"... with fish/es... this is a reasonable guesstimate. Please see here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/estbiofiltmar.htm> 2. IS 40 GALLONS A MINIMUM SIZE FOR SALT WATER/GOLD FISH TANKS PetCo says 40 is min. for a starter aquarium <Oh! This is likely a relic of my input... I agree> 3. WHAT IS EXACT LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS FOR INVERTS <CORALS> PetCo says that fluorescent light with no range <I am looking for Calvin, and watts per gal> <And Hobbs? Sorry re... this is also a broad topic... depends on many factors, principally the types of life kept, desires of the keeper, cost/appearance choices... Please see here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marlgtganthony.htm> 4. SHOULD CARBON NOT BE USED WHEN CYCLING A TANK <Depends on the route utilized to establish it... and prevailing water quality... but generally no> 5. IF "CYCLE" IS NITROBACTER, DO YOU NEED NITROSOMONAS BEFORE ADDING "CYCLE" TO HELP CYCLE A TANK <This Hagen product is neither of these genera of bacteria. Null answer. No need to add other organisms...> 6. HOW OFTEN SHOULD WATER BE TESTED WHEN CYCLING A TANK FRESH/SALT PetCo says: first two weeks-ammonia kept under .06 ppm and should be tested every two days <Mmm, I say daily... or up to times in which folks are getting antsy to add livestock> after two weeks-ammonia should be at o nitrites will increase and should be under.75ppm with the end result after five or six weeks being, ammo.-o nitrites-o nitrates-25.0ppm <I would toss in some qualifiers here... as in "should be", "generally"...> 7. SHOULD AQUA PLUS BE ADDED TO EVERY BAG OF FISH GOING HOME <comes in a pump dispenser <about six table spoons per pump, <This value is off I hope... only needs to be a part of a ml.> bags hold about 1 1/2 cups of water> <Not a bad idea to use this or similar product> 8. IS IT LESS STRESS TO SALT WATER FISH TO SCARE THEM INTO A CATCH CUP, THEN USING A NET <Some species yes, most no... better to use two nets than one... and better for organisms you might "scoop out" in a specimen container to instead drive/direct into bags underwater> 9. HOW MANY NEONS CAN LIVE IN A TEN GALLON TANK <Define "live"... ten or twenty... depending on filtration, if you have much other livestock> 10. ARE UNDERGRAVEL FILTERS THE BEST FILTER TODAY <Not in almost all cases... Better to have separate components for mechanical/physical, biological and chemical filtration... to allow flexibility in use, cleaning... changing.> well that's about it. if you can clarify that would be wonderful. thanks again, Tori Craig <Thank you. Be chatting, reading, writing. Bob Fenner>

Re: training PetCo aquatics people (WWM crew input?) This is really cool if it will actually filter down to the individual employees in the individual stores. Also, I am not sure of Petco's quarantine procedures, but sick fish should be removed from the main displays and into quarantine. I personally have noticed problems in the reptile department as well in most every Petco I visit, lack of water, fouled water, mites, that sort of stuff. Good to see someone cares and things should be getting better. -Gage <Yes... and to be able to offer our input, momentum. Bob F>

Re: training PetCo aquatics people (WWM crew input?) It seems to me that Petco could actually be a great ally to the hobby if they finally get their act together. Think of the great exposure for the hobby that Petco (a well-trained, knowledgeable, and humane Petco) could bring, introducing people to keeping fish, especially if they are given proper advice, and can see healthy displays of animals. Simply by virtue of their size and accessibility, they could be a real force to get people into the hobby. <I agree entirely... the principal reason I dedicated years of my life to the proposition of making the business "real" to the co... the folks who owned/bought out the co. originally (Andy.G, Magnetek) in 1988 had a vision... much has gone on that's different... but "something" had to be done to challenge the "working philosophy" of their arch-competitor (PetSmart)... and I did my best... am satisfied with those times. Bob F> Glad that something is finally getting done there! Scott F.

Aquarium store Bob Great site and lots of information on a (planning stage) endeavor. I own an ISP/Computer store with more retail space than I can use (or afford to stock). I also live in a rural (but populated area) with the closest fish store 40 miles away. I have a mini reef/fish tank on display in the shop and get A LOT of comments on it. I also send a lot of my customers to the store 40 miles away to get into the Aquarium hobby. <I sense a business enlargement project proposal coming on...> My idea is to take my hobby a step further and split my retail space in half with a 5' wall and have my computer section on one side, and start a small marine fish store on the other side. <Mmm, what little I know re the computer biz... would it be a good idea to make the demising wall go all the way to the ceiling and around (in essence, making the aquarium shop an enclosed area of its own) to keep the temperature, humidity confined, away from your computer hardware? Perhaps independent as an endeavor from your other biz?> One of the questions I cannot find in my research on the net is what the markup is on marine fish. Or in the Aquarium industry in general. <Highly variable... depending on local market conditions (what the market will bear) and your net-landed costs (also variable, mainly due to freight, direct and indirect business costs...)... but as a rule of thumb, inexpensive organisms are trebled (like damsels that might "land" at a couple of dollars), with ones at a few tens of dollars doubled... to more expensive animals being on a lower "sliding scale"... a hundred dollar fish might be sold for $150...> I realize that most tanks are basically loss leaders, but trying to figure out the pricing on the live stock to see if it's even worth getting into has me at a loss. <You are right here> Also, where would I start in contacting wholesalers to purchase livestock? <By doing just this... call up, visit distributors in your region (w/in driving distance)... call others (lists can be found in industry magazines)... very good idea to visit them, go to trade shows as part of the whole process... this does take time> I know the fish store that I frequent goes to Tampa (2.5 hours south) to pick up their stock. <Oh! This is a possibility... perhaps you can co-operate (piggyback) your orders with them, trade off who goes... A good idea to become cooperators in the trade...> So my basic question is how does one break into the market, and what is the pricing model. <As stated for livestock... Most drygoods follow the same general "rule of thumb"...> Thanks for a great web site and the information you provide. Its taken me thus far from toying with the idea to actually working on writing a business plan. <A lot of fun, challenge... Glad to share with you. Others here have been, are actively in the trade, and will have many more insights. Bob Fenner> David Lindsey SVIC.NET

Re: Aquarium store Bob I really appreciate the time you took to answer the questions. <Again, a pleasure and honor to help you become another asset to the trade> I talked to the LFS owners friend last night and he suggested I approach the owner about getting help from him. Although I find it hard to imagine someone wanting to help startup a competitor (even though I'm 40 miles away), I've decided to see if he would entertain me for a few hours and get his insight on the idea. <You will understand the rationale in time... I made a (surprising for me) lucid comparison many years back with the much larger "fast-food" industries... notice that they are clustered geographically (for a few key reasons), and that even the same brands/franchises are located nearer to each other than "necessary" or seemingly expedient... Think on this... the same products, level of service (supposedly) at the same price...... If two or more "good" fish stores are located nearer to each other, almost always they will "do better" than being widely separated... why is this so? More "excitement", better true competition... THIS IS THE ESSENCE OF FREE ENTERPRISE... not the gov't who cannot "make jobs"... An important lesson for people who would be free... Okay, sigh, off the soap box (just for a bit)> I thought about the totally separate room for the fish, but since our building is very air conditioned (72f) I figured the A/C would keep the humidity knocked down. <Mmm, do research this a bit... You may well find you're heating your tanks while running the air-conditioner for the people (and hardware)... If you get Christmas... and birthday... and father's day cards from the local Gas and Electric Co... don't say I didn't warn you> On a personal note, last night while talking to that friend, my Ritteri (sp) Anemone split into two separate beings. <Congrats!> I though it was very cool since he moved to the front of the tank glass and I got an Inside out shot of his separation. Very cool. Wish I had a video camera. sigh. <Soon> Oh and on the pricing model, Damsel fish go for 3.25 local. heh. <Cha heep! Perhaps a "service item"... aka "loss leader"?> Again thanks, no reason to take up your time replying. Just wanted to let you know I appreciate the effort. <We'll be chatting> Have a Great day <You as well. Bob Fenner> David Lindsey SVIC

Fish Business Hi Bob (or equally knowledgeable counterpart), <I would not say I am equally knowledgeable, but I am here.> Sitting here thinking of ways of turning a hobby I love into a full time job. <I did the same thing seven years ago and have never regretted it.> I think I have a good idea, but still want to get an 'insiders' point of view. What do you think of the idea of manufacturing large fiberglass tank for home aquariums (same material as swimming pools)? <Interesting> At this point, they would have to mainly be in wall tanks only with an acrylic viewing panel. Could be relatively cheaper and lighter counterpart to glass or acrylic and it is easy for the DIY to work with at home. <I would start your research here http://www.wetwebmedia.com/AqBizSubWebIndex/Biz%20Index/Biz%20index.htm Some public aquariums use similar designs, so someone is making money at it. Really, a good business plan will show you if you can do this. If you are already in the fiberglass business and this is merely an off shoot, it maybe a lot easier. Keep us posted with your work. There are also many businesses who build fiberglass tubs for the food fish industry. There is a company called Columbia something that manufactures this type of product. Go to Yahoo and type "fiberglass Columbia" and I am sure you will find them. From there it is a merely a task of looking for web page matches.> Regards, Terry <Best of luck to you in your endeavors. -Steven Pro>