Montgomery Reefstore.......Let's Talk about them

It is too bad that he is kinda stuck with what he is doing. He has a great location, tons of room and the ability to have a hell of an online business as well as the store. He could set that store up with rows of rubermade tubs and grow SPS and other corals by the ton.

I see a whole lot of potential but the store seems to be stuck just maintaining the status quo...which is very indicative of where the owner is in life.

As for his I know everything attitude, it shows just how little he really knows. You never know everything, hell you should never stop learning because the people who research these animals don't. I have been working with a professor for about a year now and she has 20 years in research of just one little are of animals and she still doesn't know everything. Arrogance is what causes one to over look the obvious, and avoid the truth...hence why he hasn't advanced his equipement any if at all.
 
Your absolutely right whitten many of my professors and professionals around the world dedicate their lives to miniscule portions of the broader field only to scratch the surface of what can be known and here we have Jim that knows everything.

Funny how that works. However as Broreefr mentioned he is just a software engineer that has turned bad buisness owner. He lacks the essential buisness skills to run an effective buisness not to mention the social skills. He would rather ***** about a 2 dollar used salt bucket then make the three bill sale of coral. I will atest to Broreefr's valient effort to support his LFS but people can only take so much bull****.
 
you are absolutely right Whitten. NOBODY is all knowing on the seas and ocean creatures. Most Marine people with DR. in front and PHD. to the rear of their names will tell you that

Mom always told me to listen because a fool can tell you something. Thats why I believe if I can accept your knowledge, add it to mine and vice-versa we both will be better in the long run - now that is assuming we both have a little creditable advice to offer.

I'm a vet and spend a good amount of time with other disabled vets as well. You would not believe the people whom you may cross the street to avoid who are former pow's or decorated war hero's with stories that will tear at your heart and bring tears to your eyes. You never would know it from first glance. There are guys who hitchhike around this country and sleep under bridges, and hold up signs begging for dollars that were decorated, distinguished, heroes in our nations battles. They for reasons of their own, choose to live life a little.......different than what is accepted as normal.

Our boy Jimbo will hang on over there tricking enough NEW customers to survive - for a while anyway, my money is on a reputable, caring, owner setting up shop out toward Eastchase and running ole whining Jimbo clean out of business

I know petsmart is there now, but remember I said reputable. Petco and petsmart both have their place and I dont mean to kick them.......too bad. I have bought from them in the past, and they were both nice enough to throw in with my purchases....an amazing batch of pure killer ick, free of charge. :mad2:
 
Way to go witten you go two "your absolutely rights" =)

I always enjoy your post Broreefr you def have a ceartain way of saying things. Your right though his only saveing grace is new prey for him. 90% of the customers i see come in there i have never seen befor meaning they are brand new and the other 10% just dont know better or for some reason i may never understand see Jim as a friend. Its really a sad case because of that 90% there are probobly few that will continue with the hobby due to frustrations with the hobby caused by Jims antics. As for a new shop that cares more about the customers than its owners EGO, well... WHitten said it best when he pointed out the sheer resources Jim has Space,location, sufficent finacial backing montgomery could be blessed with a real gem of a store but we are instead left with alot to desire.

Anyway i have probobly become more than redundant in my rantings but i truely could go on all day and its acually quite reliveing to find people that share in my frustration.

Is there a local reef club of sorts in central alabama? there seems to be alot of knoledgeable reefers with no place to go really unless i am missing something. I know there are probobly some in the Birmingham area but it would be nice to have something local.
 
I often wonder the same thing. The guy from petsville told me ther was a site locally called everythingsalt.com. I have never been able to pull it up unless I mistyped or something. Bham has the NARC North Alabama Reef Club ? I believe, having a meeting this saturday at A D Bham. I am assuming a good club from what I have read so far.

It's a two hour drive but - http://www.atlantareefclub.org/ it seems to be the place to go. Their August Meeting will focus on Scuba Diving and tiger I know you dive. I dont think I will make that one, rather fond of a plentiful air supply myself, above sea level, but to each his own. LOL

I have been to a couple of their meetings and have not met a bad egg in the bunch. All were super nice dedicated reef keepers, the president MOJO is very active on the site and really is just -good people
 
NARC is based in Huntsville - Madison area, about 1-1/2 hours north of Birmingham. We only meet every once in a while in Bham. You guys are welcome to our club meeting any time, though.

Tomoko
 
Thanks Tomoko, I did not know it was based in Huntsville I just ASSumed Bham. I guess for us Central bama guys, its either ATL, or start our own.





I do plan to be a fly on the wall saturday in AD though :bum:


thanx for the correct link there Brother Drums, that certainly works
 
hi, i'm new here. i helped a friend of mine with a reef tank years ago and starting to get back into it and start my own here shortly.

i've dealt with jim some myself. and i know exactly where you all are coming from. i plan on getting a tank there i like, but that's all i plan on getting.

but i asked one of the other guys there this question and he didn't know. he suggested that i ask jim which i am NOT gonna do.

the tank i'll be getting is a seamless 37g. completely open on top with a suspended light.

i was going to get a css 65 but i don't want to hang it on the back and there is not enough room under it to place even a 10g sump. what i was wanting to know is could i upgrade the powerhead to an inline pump, place it inside the stand, and plumb the drain and return into the tank? i'm sure i'd have to upgrade the powerhead cause i doubt seriously it could make the 4ft vertical pull to get the water back into the tank.

also. does anyone know where i could go local to get the tank drilled and have some custom acrylic work done like an overflow.

i don't have any tools. so rather than buy the tools to make one and use it one time i'd rather just buy one.
 
I can tell you that your idea has been thought of, but unfortunately there is no way to plumb that skimmer that way. The water will flood it out.

Custom Acrylic work around here is very hard to come by, I had to rely on a close friend from the club to help me get some stuff put together for our Lab experiment, in which needed overflow boxes. My best suggestion is to call premium aquatics and ask them about custom acrylic projects. IPI is who builds their stuff for them and Norm (the owner) does excellent work. They can build anything you can draw, and will ship it to you when finished.
 
Mjames74 - First off welcome to the site and back to reefkeeping.

Glad you revived the ole Jimbo post. Always good to throw an extra slug into a wounded, Animal. It was refreshing to know that I wasnt singled out by this simpleton and that he is pretty much an *** with everybody. That said and realizing what an unknowledgeable Boob he is - why would you take a DIME of your money to him.

The guys over at Wet Pets are Super nice people AND appreciate your businees - the selection is not as large but you dont feel raped when you leave.

Aquariums - http://www.glasscages.com - Good place for any custom glass or acrylic if you can draw it and fax it to them they can make it

Gas is down a tad bit :eek1: so I would HIGHLY suggest a trip to Hoover and Aquarium Designs. I promise you it will be like stepping into a whole new world up there. Absolutly wonderful guys up there, give em a try, you will not be dissappointed - multiple three hundred plus gallon tanks on display wonderfully aquascaped - fragging area with tanks in the back. They take CARE of their customers we all know this stuff is marked WAY up but it makes a customer feel good when you feel they care. One trip up recently as I was checking out, the owner asked how my refugium was coming along he said "Hey I just got this new Macroalgae in would you like to give it a try" After looking I agreed it was nice, but hadnt planned on buying any today - He said "OH NO I want to give you some for your refugium, I think you will like it. " - When have you seen ole Jimbo give anything away - me neither - I am not gonna get long winded about the ATL stores, but take it from me - they are worth the drive to Atlanta, on second thought nothing is WORTH fighting that damm Atlanta traffic - but they are nice

Lets just take Nancy Reagans advice - just say NO to JIMBO

Montgomery didnt take single A minor league ball we held out for a winner. luv dem Biscuits

I say we dont take a Single A reef store - hold out for a good one

my2cents :bum:
 
Wait! I've seen Jim give something away! I was in town a few months ago buying some dry goods. There was a little box on the counter with glass thermometers in it. A sign said one free with any purchase. As I was handing him my money I picked one up and asked him if they were any good. His reply was "It's free" in an accusing tone. I decided to take one home and put it in my sump. Well, needless to say the thermometer is way off and always reads in the mid 90's. I just tossed it into the trash. I would hate to think someone took one home and is using it. It could cause serious trouble. I feel Jim should have just thrown them away instead of using them as a sales tool. :strooper:
 
ACTUALLY I amm glad you brought that up, I too recieved one of the ...........glass thermometers, he also had some air couplers too. An Employee informed me that they were items that wouldnt sell and were stored in the back. He said give em away, Jimbo said no, but FINALLY gave in

If you sit next to a person who is coughing and sneezing, he will give you something as well - probably as helpful as that thermometer was to you

didnt think it was worth mentioning - dont really count old garbage as a sales tool.
 
http://www.commodityaxis.com/ProductData.aspx?id=27

that's the one he has which for a used one w/ stand and lights for 350. compared to that site's price seems pretty reasonable.

you think that glasscages.com could make a seamless front? i did like their rimless, but i hate the seams in the front on most aquariums.

and i figured out what i'd like to do with that aquarium. i might get a 10g acrylic tank custom made (a little shorter and narrower, but taller) made to fit and make the refugium/sump that way and do a closed loop for the flow.

any idea who does glass drilling? and how risky is it to go through the bottom for the overflow drain? i know most, if not all aquariums use tempered glass on the bottom.

i figure once i get it drilled i'll go with a stockman standpipe, he's doing a new design that he'd like beta testers for it.

i don't have a ton to spend, one of them work at it as you go. and i'll never have enough to drop 300-500 on live rock for a larger tank at one time, so i figure my best bet would be to do a couple smaller tanks here and there then combine them all (the live rock) and make the smaller ones for breeders or i'd like to have one dedicated to an octi at some point. wife would like some seahorses. so i got options for the smaller one's when i go to a bigger one.
 
If that's the one you want go for it - I suppose sometimes you can blow a doobie with the devil - just careful he dont burn your hands when he passes, but I regress. I see what you mean on the look of seams on a tank, I believe if they are far enough away you dont see them :lol: THINK HUGE :eek: I got a 125 predator and I as my Triggers are starting to grow I am already measuring to see what I can move up to.

$350.00 is more spending cash than you think - check this link
http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1231
Atlanta Reef club has a lot of good folks who trade well.

Drilling Tanks - think of it more as grinding and you understand how easy it really is. I have done to a couple tanks for my refuge's. Only from the side though, Tempered glass will shatter like a windshield. I have a diamond drill bit 1 1/2 inches I think pm me if you wish to borrow it. Good Luck


btw - I'm in the lake martin area, total system is 715 gallons with two display tanks - hit me up if you'd like to see it.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8239177#post8239177 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Broreefr
The guys over at Wet Pets are Super nice people AND appreciate your businees - the selection is not as large but you dont feel raped when you leave.

I would HIGHLY suggest a trip to Hoover and Aquarium Designs. I promise you it will be like stepping into a whole new world up there. Absolutly wonderful guys up there, give em a try, you will not be dissappointed - multiple three hundred plus gallon tanks on display wonderfully aquascaped - fragging area with tanks in the back. They take CARE of their customers we all know this stuff is marked WAY up but it makes a customer feel good when you feel they care. One trip up recently as I was checking out, the owner asked how my refugium was coming along he said "Hey I just got this new Macroalgae in would you like to give it a try" After looking I agreed it was nice, but hadnt planned on buying any today - He said "OH NO I want to give you some for your refugium, I think you will like it. "
Click to expand...

The people at Wet Pets are nice. I have only met one person in there who seems to know anything about modern reef keeping methods. They don't hold fish before they sell them, they crowd their tanks more than Petco does, and they have a puny coral collection. Their prices are quite high on everything...especially dry goods.

AD in B'ham was once a great shop. When Phillip Root (from The Living Reef) got on board there the place was awesome. Cheap frags, GREAT advice and you got to deal with a guy who really cared about the hobby, it was an obvious passion. He and Tien (one of the owners) parted ways. The setup in the back is all Phillip's doing and when I was up there last week it looked nothing like it did when Phillip ran it. Last week, the livestock looked terrible. Lots of cyano and dead fish in the tanks. Hardly the AD I was used to. Kids working that didn't have a clue....Always a bonus in a high dollar shop. I'd really like to know who gave you the algae...Tien was charging $5 for a very small ball of it.

Just an FYI....Jim donated fish, coral and rock to a tank for my wife's classroom. NEVER asked anything in return.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8243510#post8243510 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by twkenny
The people at Wet Pets are nice. I have only met one person in there who seems to know anything about modern reef keeping methods. They don't hold fish before they sell them, they crowd their tanks more than Petco does, and they have a puny coral collection. Their prices are quite high on everything...especially dry goods.

AD in B'ham was once a great shop. When Phillip Root (from The Living Reef) got on board there the place was awesome. Cheap frags, GREAT advice and you got to deal with a guy who really cared about the hobby, it was an obvious passion. He and Tien (one of the owners) parted ways. The setup in the back is all Phillip's doing and when I was up there last week it looked nothing like it did when Phillip ran it. Last week, the livestock looked terrible. Lots of cyano and dead fish in the tanks. Hardly the AD I was used to. Kids working that didn't have a clue....Always a bonus in a high dollar shop. I'd really like to know who gave you the algae...Tien was charging $5 for a very small ball of it.

Just an FYI....Jim donated fish, coral and rock to a tank for my wife's classroom. NEVER asked anything in return.
Click to expand...

Wow - to compare wet Pets to Petco

1. After getting several pieces of awfully bad advice from your BUDDY Jim - I learned it's best not to go to a lfs looking for advice on modern Reefkeeping, lots of published,accepted books that cover that. Wanna discuss modern reefkeeping, join a reputable club It's not my place to PUMP up wet pets, their prices or selection. My previous posts indicate clearly the need for a quality Reef store in the capital City.

2. Phillip Root and Tien didnt "part ways", Phillip told me from his own mouth about his planned expansion to a green house - He was leasing the area in the back from the owner (tien thanx I forgot the name). Running all the metal halides for the frag tanks was over 1100 a month so the greenhouse came about. AD still carries all his Frags at the SAME prices as before (10% discount for us Atlanta Reef Club Members)

3. It was Tien the owner who GAVE me the Algae (pm me and I'd be happy to share a piece with you)

Just a FYI - donating fish, Coral, and Rock for a classroom 20 gallon Nano Tank doesnt put you in the Angel of the month club. you never said who DONATED the tank, stand,pumps,sand, and lights. A streetwise dealer always gives a free taste of his new package to the fiends before he puts it on the streets, then the money comes back in spades, us country boys call it priming the pump.

If you read this thread then you will see SEVERAL former customers ripping this clown to pieces with true expieriences. Play with a puppy he will lick you in the mouth. Sooner rather than later Jimbo will put tongue all over you. :lol:
 
The frag prices are not the same.

Tien is an IDIOT that cannot be trusted. Believe me....I've dealt with him on a pretty large endeavor and know firsthand. His partner Jon and I had several pretty long conversations while he was cleaning up Tien's mess and taking up his slack.

Phillip and I have known each other for years. He wont' bash anyone. There are many issues you may not know about....they parted ways. That's all I'm going to say about that.

The tank, stand, and lights were donated by a fellow reefer and close friend if that really matters.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8244640#post8244640 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by twkenny
The frag prices are not the same.

Tien is an IDIOT that cannot be trusted. Believe me....I've dealt with him on a pretty large endeavor and know firsthand. His partner Jon and I had several pretty long conversations while he was cleaning up Tien's mess and taking up his slack.

Phillip and I have known each other for years. He wont' bash anyone. There are many issues you may not know about....they parted ways. That's all I'm going to say about that.

The tank, stand, and lights were donated by a fellow reefer and close friend if that really matters.
Click to expand...

Sir - Sir - I dont know what you have against Tien, you have not shared that with us and we are willing to listen - but to say that the prices are not the same is A LIE. I shopped there two weeks ago and the small frags are $20.00 just like they ALWAYS have been and go up from there slightly according to size.

Glad that you have known Phillip for many years, he's very knowledgable-wonder why you would seek advice from wet pets though- and you are right He wont bash anyone. You are doing a fair job at it for him. OK Tien is an IDIOT (you throw out with no fact to back up), so that makes all those nice displays,fish and corals in his store just as idiotic and not worth viewing.

Tell you what friend, since you have known Mr. Root so long and are so tight with him, ask HIM about JIMBO (he knows him) and please, please let us know what your good buddy says. I know what he will say cause I have asked him. Now WE all wait for you to ask and let us know

btw - ARE YOU JIMBO ????????? :eek2: :confused: :eek1:
 
I'm not going to get into the whole Tien thing with you. Calling him an idiot was in bad taste. I can more accurately say his business practices (in MY personal dealings with him) are idiotic.

I think I paid $20 for a really nice blasto frag at AD when Phillip was there...other times they were $15.

I never said I asked any advice at Wet Pets.

I never said I was tight with Phillip.

I never said I was good buddies with Jim.

You obviously have an issue with Jim. Everyone is entiltled their opinions.

This is a fairly worthless discussion at this point....

Best of luck to you....your setup sounds very nice and I hope it continues to go well for you.
 
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