Being recently new to the Lancaster area and a true hobbiest for many yrs,I was thinking on starting a small fish biz and wondering what everyones take was on this.Im thinking on taking small steps and of course doing it legal.Maybe working from the garage and then if it does well doing a store front...maybe call this a feeler thread...thanks for any opinions advice etc
Just wondering
- Thread starter CaptHook
- Start date
insanefishguy
New member
Something tells me you would have competition in that area of the state
Just a little competition! That being said, you could also use THEM to your advantage. Since people drive so far to go there, they may swing by and check you out. If you keep prices down and quality livestock, you just might make a go at it.
rigleautomotive
Premium Member
lancaster would not be my choice for this type of venture.maybe a larger city in your area but with tfp and the rural area,it would be difficult.
tnyr5
Active member
I think the only way such a thing would work is if you make sure to be everything TFP is not. For example, they are mostly (not wholly, but mostly) a big box store that caters to the everyday aquarist. Perhaps a boutique-type store that specializes in well-conditioned, quarantined rare fish/coral and hard-to-find, high end equipment with staff that go out of their way to cater to the customers and immaculate displays/holding tanks could thrive. Such a store could potentially attract customers from all the cities within 100 miles of it or more, but it would require staff with just the right type of personality, just the right advertising campaign, and the startup costs would be fairly high. Also, don't limit yourself to saltwater; the high-end planted tank market is booming.
Last edited:
Thanks everyone for the thoughts so far.I did have in mind on starting with a system of tanks for fish,a few frag tanks with frags starting at $5-$35.Also maybe doing special orders for hard to find corals and fish.Later on adding freshwater discus and such and maybe a small reptile area.I guess most of these ideas are dependant on suppliers and if I can find ones that are willing to deal with smaller start up guys.As for the dry goods I would probl'y do that as time passes.After the new yr Im looking forward to starting up a few tanks and look forward to meeting some of you in the future to maybe do some trading/buying and just hangin and talking reef.
trentdingo
New member
Just my 2 cents: I dont think it is a worthwhile venture.
If you are doing it on the side and have the time to commit then maybe... but if its full time I dont foresee being able to out compete for business. TFP has the fish market and the coral market around this area is just super saturated with a whole bunch of very nice corals for cheap. We have a gold mine of corals in PA.
If you are doing it on the side and have the time to commit then maybe... but if its full time I dont foresee being able to out compete for business. TFP has the fish market and the coral market around this area is just super saturated with a whole bunch of very nice corals for cheap. We have a gold mine of corals in PA.
I wouldn't say that it's saturated. If it was, TFP's livestock prices would be lower, which is my main complaint with them. Prices too high for the quality product they sell. I'm simply not willing to drop $50-$70 on a 1" frag with the quality they offer. To be honest, the only time I purchase coral there is when I have a coupon. Otherwise, I turn to craigslist and there isn't a ton of fraggers in the lancaster/york/harrisburg area.
I do agree that it would be best to start "on the side" instead of full time.
Just Jim
Active member
I agree that the area has a ton of coral. I barely ever spend my $ on livestock. I trade and grow and if there's something I want and can't trade for, I'll sell and use that money to buy it. TFP has a huge overhead and they overcharge on most of their livestock to make it up. Look how high their ceilings are in their fish room.
psusocr
Active member
:lmao::lmao::lmao::debi:
:hmm1:
Just Jim
Active member
To be fair I'm a hypocrite. I was in the area around 8pm and thought of this thread. I just came home from there with 7 Mexican turbo snails @$1.99/ea, a flat pack if formula 1 frozen for $11.99 and a sweet chalice that I paid $59.99 which I thought was fair. But I also saw a bleeding apple scoly priced at $479 that couldn't see more than $200 for
Just Jim
Active member
Hey Bobby, the chalice I got is kinda like the blue and pink cotton candy chalice I traded you except its green instead of blue. The red/pink swirls across and it's sweet. I'll shoot ya a pic tomorrow when I get it acclimated under my lights.
psusocr
Active member
Perfect!
Cant wait for a frag! my chalice collection is doing really well..some sweet colors coming out..
Just Jim
Active member
Glad to hear. I stl have no idea what I'm going to so with the Todd's torch i got from u, but its so nice in my frag tank, lol
Just Jim
Active member
Glad to hear. I stl have no idea what I'm going to so with the Todd's torch i got from u, but its so nice in my frag tank, lol
