Starting an Aquarium Business
- Thread starter flame83
- Start date
robthorn,
Not sure on lighting decsion yet, still watching a few other folks as they play between the two and how the corals react Growth/Visible Color changes.
If and when i get this up and running i hope to make everything affordable as possible. The store itself will be say Raw/ Stripped by the meaning of nothing will be fancy or spectalcular. I see to many new pet shops get caught up in the look of the store, to the functional store.
I plan this being a weekend store that opens saturday and sunday all day and then closing for the week. This will save on the staff need and condesnse all sales into two days. And or if internet sales that ship out twice a week to avoid dropped shipments by the carrirers.
Also i another way i look to cutt cost will consist of not carrying excessive drygoods. I'm not certain yet but i would like to stay to livestock, food, test kits, filter media, and high demand items. For all other items i would like to offer a group buy on orders to save customers if they are willing to wait for a me to send an order at the vaule a retailer requires. This would allow me to help fellow reefers out, and i may charge nothing or say 5% to cover my cost of membership with the wholesaler.
Along with fish: Trigger, large puffers, large angels tangs will not be on the regular order chart for my store. Reason beings i see these species sit at the LFS for months before they move.
So as any business I'm trying to stay away from stale items and only carry items that move weekly so i have room for the next order
My goal is to just make enought to cover cost and a little additional to put into my Mutual Fund and help everyone out, so they can stay away from salesmen at the LFS
Not sure on lighting decsion yet, still watching a few other folks as they play between the two and how the corals react Growth/Visible Color changes.
If and when i get this up and running i hope to make everything affordable as possible. The store itself will be say Raw/ Stripped by the meaning of nothing will be fancy or spectalcular. I see to many new pet shops get caught up in the look of the store, to the functional store.
I plan this being a weekend store that opens saturday and sunday all day and then closing for the week. This will save on the staff need and condesnse all sales into two days. And or if internet sales that ship out twice a week to avoid dropped shipments by the carrirers.
Also i another way i look to cutt cost will consist of not carrying excessive drygoods. I'm not certain yet but i would like to stay to livestock, food, test kits, filter media, and high demand items. For all other items i would like to offer a group buy on orders to save customers if they are willing to wait for a me to send an order at the vaule a retailer requires. This would allow me to help fellow reefers out, and i may charge nothing or say 5% to cover my cost of membership with the wholesaler.
Along with fish: Trigger, large puffers, large angels tangs will not be on the regular order chart for my store. Reason beings i see these species sit at the LFS for months before they move.
So as any business I'm trying to stay away from stale items and only carry items that move weekly so i have room for the next order
My goal is to just make enought to cover cost and a little additional to put into my Mutual Fund and help everyone out, so they can stay away from salesmen at the LFS
robthorn,
Still up for debate on the Natural light or artificial? I'm watching a few other local reefers who are on both ends of the spectrum, and I am waiting to see what affects it has on growth rate/ coloration.
About the cost of frags / fish and or all items:
I hope to keep the store very Stripped as in no flashy ads or trim around the tanks. I envision that it will be inside a pole barn that has been completely furnished with dry wall and plastic sheets covering to protect from the saltwater, with the concrete floor. I just wanted to make sure I Clearfield the pole barn, and no one assumed they would be walking in hay!
However when you visit the store you will be able to see all plumbingââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s pipes, pumps everything out front so you can see just how it all works, and maybe get ideas for your home aquariums
This will keep cost low as to, decorating gets costly very fast and takes assets away from the functional purpose of my goal. Also this store will be open to suggestions if you see something that can be improved or change I will have the open ear but cautious, idle, research hand before the change happens / or not.
I plan only to order live stock that moves and not something like larger triggers that sit in LFS store for months at a time. Also I will carry wide and depth in the subjects of test kits, food, filter media, salt mixes, RO/DI, and not so much in the way of aquariums and less sold or stale items to keep my overhead inventory cost low in order to not pass it onto the consumer.
Uniquely I would like to try vast group orders from my store front for customers. Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m not sure this would work well or not but I would be willing to say wait for an order to reach the amount required by the wholesaler and then place the order. This would require customers to wait for savings and I may charge nothing or 5% to cover membership cost with the wholesaler. This would definitely have to be a touch and go project if you will let me call it in such words. Also I would have to watch the ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œpredatory sales lawsââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ depend on which state I base in.
Potentially Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m looking into maintenance and setup for business or homes in the future.
In the end of this monstrous reply I once again will only be looking to sever reeferââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s better than salesmenââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s at LFS and hope to cover all cost and make a few bucks to stuff into my Mutual Fund.
Still up for debate on the Natural light or artificial? I'm watching a few other local reefers who are on both ends of the spectrum, and I am waiting to see what affects it has on growth rate/ coloration.
About the cost of frags / fish and or all items:
I hope to keep the store very Stripped as in no flashy ads or trim around the tanks. I envision that it will be inside a pole barn that has been completely furnished with dry wall and plastic sheets covering to protect from the saltwater, with the concrete floor. I just wanted to make sure I Clearfield the pole barn, and no one assumed they would be walking in hay!
However when you visit the store you will be able to see all plumbingââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s pipes, pumps everything out front so you can see just how it all works, and maybe get ideas for your home aquariums
This will keep cost low as to, decorating gets costly very fast and takes assets away from the functional purpose of my goal. Also this store will be open to suggestions if you see something that can be improved or change I will have the open ear but cautious, idle, research hand before the change happens / or not.
I plan only to order live stock that moves and not something like larger triggers that sit in LFS store for months at a time. Also I will carry wide and depth in the subjects of test kits, food, filter media, salt mixes, RO/DI, and not so much in the way of aquariums and less sold or stale items to keep my overhead inventory cost low in order to not pass it onto the consumer.
Uniquely I would like to try vast group orders from my store front for customers. Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m not sure this would work well or not but I would be willing to say wait for an order to reach the amount required by the wholesaler and then place the order. This would require customers to wait for savings and I may charge nothing or 5% to cover membership cost with the wholesaler. This would definitely have to be a touch and go project if you will let me call it in such words. Also I would have to watch the ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œpredatory sales lawsââ"šÂ¬Ã‚ depend on which state I base in.
Potentially Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢m looking into maintenance and setup for business or homes in the future.
In the end of this monstrous reply I once again will only be looking to sever reeferââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s better than salesmenââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s at LFS and hope to cover all cost and make a few bucks to stuff into my Mutual Fund.
I would consider a few of the more popular big fish because that way you might have a little something for everyone because there are certain customers that buy only that type of fish. I would think you want those customers too because you never know what they will do or buy in the future. I think at least half of us started out saying I just want some pretty fish then we go full blown reef once we see what it can be.
the most successful store in our area is very clean and carries instock no more than a 30 gallon aquarium but will order anything he can get for I think 10% over cost and shipping plus tax. he carries a wide variety of lighting and I mean wide no vho t5's metal halide moon lights from 2 different manufacturer's. and he lets the serious guys come in and chat and hang out for hours while he works and I have even helped several customers myself. some of us have a very good relationship with him and his family and it is working well since everytime someone coming to the area asks for the must see store we never hesitate to sned them to him. he also carries alot of salt, test kits, food, pumps, filtration media and actually everything you need except big tanks. he likes to get involved in the planning of peoples tanks and is always willing to give good solid advice. oh yeah he sells euroreef skimmers. I think a must is a good skimmer line that is known and trusted. he was the first in our area to sell euroreef and now everyone followed him . if you can find someone that will manufacture acrylic tanks for you or at least find someone you can send them too and have them make sumps you can have a couple generic sizes on hand. he has been making them for years and sells one every week at least.
good luck
the most successful store in our area is very clean and carries instock no more than a 30 gallon aquarium but will order anything he can get for I think 10% over cost and shipping plus tax. he carries a wide variety of lighting and I mean wide no vho t5's metal halide moon lights from 2 different manufacturer's. and he lets the serious guys come in and chat and hang out for hours while he works and I have even helped several customers myself. some of us have a very good relationship with him and his family and it is working well since everytime someone coming to the area asks for the must see store we never hesitate to sned them to him. he also carries alot of salt, test kits, food, pumps, filtration media and actually everything you need except big tanks. he likes to get involved in the planning of peoples tanks and is always willing to give good solid advice. oh yeah he sells euroreef skimmers. I think a must is a good skimmer line that is known and trusted. he was the first in our area to sell euroreef and now everyone followed him . if you can find someone that will manufacture acrylic tanks for you or at least find someone you can send them too and have them make sumps you can have a couple generic sizes on hand. he has been making them for years and sells one every week at least.
good luck
Right on the fish I just: I will stay away from to many since I see them sit forever or at least the aggressive fish. I will carry the angels and tangs. And I always would be open for special order for anyone.
The tank and sumps: I'm a do it myself and just as soon as I get out of college and have some money to play with I will get my acrylic technique down pat and professional.
Ohh and just to clarify the store will be clean not dirty. I just mean you will be able to see what goes into it.
Skimmers: I'm thinking about making several size air driven with the new non wood air stones.
Of course will all the makings of this I will have to have additional liability insurance.
The tank and sumps: I'm a do it myself and just as soon as I get out of college and have some money to play with I will get my acrylic technique down pat and professional.
Ohh and just to clarify the store will be clean not dirty. I just mean you will be able to see what goes into it.
Skimmers: I'm thinking about making several size air driven with the new non wood air stones.
Of course will all the makings of this I will have to have additional liability insurance.
Anthony Calfo
New member
a general message to all reading this thread:
a lack of adequate drygoods is what handicaps or even ruins many retailers. A complete lack of drygoods will kill your business most likely if you are reselling/retail (only). Drygoods are THE staple income for pet retailers. Livestock simply gets customers in the door. Else its a volatile and unreliable profit source.
If you are reselling imported livestock only ala wholesaler... then you better have serious capital (couple million+) and be able to weather for several years or more before beginning to make profit. Interestingly, you will note that the oldest andmost successful wholesalers have huge amounts of drygoods
All Seas, eg, is one of the biggest in the US, and over 1/2 their sales are drygoods (E Chua, pers comm.). QM, SDC, etc.
About the only way to do livestock only and make safe, consistent profits is with natural sunlight(!) for growing wholesale only corals (NOT reselling imported specimens).
Take my advice here
a lack of adequate drygoods is what handicaps or even ruins many retailers. A complete lack of drygoods will kill your business most likely if you are reselling/retail (only). Drygoods are THE staple income for pet retailers. Livestock simply gets customers in the door. Else its a volatile and unreliable profit source.
If you are reselling imported livestock only ala wholesaler... then you better have serious capital (couple million+) and be able to weather for several years or more before beginning to make profit. Interestingly, you will note that the oldest andmost successful wholesalers have huge amounts of drygoods
All Seas, eg, is one of the biggest in the US, and over 1/2 their sales are drygoods (E Chua, pers comm.). QM, SDC, etc.About the only way to do livestock only and make safe, consistent profits is with natural sunlight(!) for growing wholesale only corals (NOT reselling imported specimens).
Take my advice here
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Okay, I think my last post was misunderstood or needs to be clarified a bit more. I see how it can be misleading or slightly inefficient in the way of explain my Inventory Control Methods that will be set forth. My apologizes: along with no PUN intended in message that follows.
When I say "Wide and Deep" I by all mean use this in the Marketing terms context.
I use this in the context as "One Stop shop locations". along with the " Category Killer" or " Shallow and Deep" Combinations where the line is fine to invisible depending on who you ask. Willing you allow me to merged or slightly combine them to, in way explain and make coherent my following choice of stocking a store within each terms rules.
The store will carry all the necessary goods along with custom made products. However certain goods for example testing supplies will cover a test kit at $10 and the highly accurate version at $30. However merchandise that does not move or sell on a consistent basis will cause "Deadweight Inventory" and dramatically reduce Asset Turnover Ratio.
Which hampers my Assets liquidity, thus lowers my assets, and I will in return have to raise prices to make up for the Assets tied up in Deadweight Inventory. Therefore this is the reason for stocking extremely low to no quantity for these particular items. Also the inventory control method we be J.I.T. with all inventory leads times consider to make dates which are appropriate, and timely. ( I will not include the out of stock numbers as I feel that is outside of the discussion at this point)
Forecasting will also be implemented based on other LFS that I have research their sales along with the demographics, graphical integration of competition ( Including the exact future geographical destination of the LFS)
All of the above techniques are all general business tactics and should lead to a more comprehensive view of inventory instead of guessing on what might sale and what might not. However a business background is not sufficient enough if the business person lacks ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œquick feetââ"šÂ¬Ã‚Â, and priceless common sense.
P.S.
For anyone reading this thread and thinking about venturing into the Marine Business, I to believe you need all the appropriate goods from start to finish to run a marine store appropriately, efficiently, and most importantly Ethically for all livestock!
When I say "Wide and Deep" I by all mean use this in the Marketing terms context.
I use this in the context as "One Stop shop locations". along with the " Category Killer" or " Shallow and Deep" Combinations where the line is fine to invisible depending on who you ask. Willing you allow me to merged or slightly combine them to, in way explain and make coherent my following choice of stocking a store within each terms rules.
The store will carry all the necessary goods along with custom made products. However certain goods for example testing supplies will cover a test kit at $10 and the highly accurate version at $30. However merchandise that does not move or sell on a consistent basis will cause "Deadweight Inventory" and dramatically reduce Asset Turnover Ratio.
Which hampers my Assets liquidity, thus lowers my assets, and I will in return have to raise prices to make up for the Assets tied up in Deadweight Inventory. Therefore this is the reason for stocking extremely low to no quantity for these particular items. Also the inventory control method we be J.I.T. with all inventory leads times consider to make dates which are appropriate, and timely. ( I will not include the out of stock numbers as I feel that is outside of the discussion at this point)
Forecasting will also be implemented based on other LFS that I have research their sales along with the demographics, graphical integration of competition ( Including the exact future geographical destination of the LFS)
All of the above techniques are all general business tactics and should lead to a more comprehensive view of inventory instead of guessing on what might sale and what might not. However a business background is not sufficient enough if the business person lacks ââ"šÂ¬Ã…"œquick feetââ"šÂ¬Ã‚Â, and priceless common sense.
P.S.
For anyone reading this thread and thinking about venturing into the Marine Business, I to believe you need all the appropriate goods from start to finish to run a marine store appropriately, efficiently, and most importantly Ethically for all livestock!
"It will teach you how to find the right personnel/information while still being productive/profitable The latter being a big downfall/weakness of too many know-it-all hard science types that want to be businessmen"
Sadly this might be true for middle level management, however in my experience as a expatriate, those with business degrees are doomed to always run someone elses ideas.
Those on the executive teams I've met all have either hard-science or engineering backgrounds. These degrees teach you to think logically providing a technical background that is easily augmented with natural leadership and an MBA. Just my experience from closely observing two multi-national corporations from the inside.
Sadly this might be true for middle level management, however in my experience as a expatriate, those with business degrees are doomed to always run someone elses ideas.
Those on the executive teams I've met all have either hard-science or engineering backgrounds. These degrees teach you to think logically providing a technical background that is easily augmented with natural leadership and an MBA. Just my experience from closely observing two multi-national corporations from the inside.
Anthony Calfo
New member
Khai... I may be mistaken, but didn't you own (or still own) an LFS?
if you are ever in florida check out fish and other ichthy stuff in oldsmar. he built his store from a flea market fish store to one of the most respected reef stores in the state. maybe spreads even further. I spend alot of time there hanging out and learning and talking to people from all over the state that take there saturday and drive 4 hours or more just to see what he has this time.
ridinfast03
New member
Loco179, where were you thinking of starting a business here in Indy?
RedSonja
Premium Member
I'd agree to start with a business license. Depending on where you live, this is probably easy to get. For me it involved a trip to city hall to fill out a form in one department (to notify the city I would be running a business out of my home) and then to another to fill out a form and get the business license. It cost I think $25 per year, not expensive. I also obtained a state tax ID number, which was even easier. I mailed a form to the state tax office, they mailed me a packet a few weeks later with my ID and information on how to maintain the account. This didn't even cost anything. I have to file monthly or quarterly sales tax reports which I do online. Having these two pieces of paper will open some doors for you even before you are officially in business.
I'm reading along with interest as well because I've considered a "basement" operation of frag prop, not to make tons of money at but to try to at least get a bit of a return on the time and money we've spent. Breaking even would be great but even that is not expected right away.
-Sonja
I'm following this also. One thing of particular interest is minimizing inputs for the captive system. I find the bulk of the system costs are tied up in lighting and water circulation. So I can appreciate Anthony's comment about use of natural lighting as the wattage can really add up costs fast. Feeding, Supplementation and salt are turning out to be relativly minor by comparison.
SaveOurReefs
Member
/\ Heh, sorry digger but this thread is pretty much dead, your the first to post to it in over two years. :eek1:
fernandokng
New member
bumpity bump 
ctenophors rule
New member
you know, i would be very please to see a massive ATS hooked up on your future system.
that might be able to replace the huge rotien skimers, which would save you a lot.
and it would be a much safer thing. if a protien skimmer of that magnitude breaks, it may take a weak or longer to replace. with an algae turf scrubber, all you will need is new media, easily pciked up anywhere.
that might be able to replace the huge rotien skimers, which would save you a lot.
and it would be a much safer thing. if a protien skimmer of that magnitude breaks, it may take a weak or longer to replace. with an algae turf scrubber, all you will need is new media, easily pciked up anywhere.
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