Snail Depot

You forgot Deep Reef Supply haha

Thats too bad, you sure did get a lot of ideas to work with. So is the new store gonna be basically the same with mostly cleaner stuff or a full fledged shop with fish and everything?

sea inside!...(you are a name machine) used to be a pet store in FL, but now out of biz...no domain name though...stupid markmonitor is protecting the movie "sea inside" no one saw...1.8 mil box office...why protect that....

there are some others too...JM SOmething or other...was thinking of having a little FW section...not sure on that though...

store will be full blown. lack of dry goods though probably...i am going to make a partition for ReefCleaners, I don't want locals cherry picking the company that bought the store

Sea Inside is on the short list too....damn I bet she has a lot of tanks to clean though...

JM's Aquariums? what do you think? (For a place with FW and SW...if we go that route...still looking into that market...)the local FW competition is weak in one spot, (PETCO/PET SUPERMARKET), but very strong and I wouldn't mess with it in the other locale...(ran by a cichlid breeder) Business decisions suck...Would be nice to just make it as big as possible, damn the expense and have everything I want, just because I want it....My consultant says that is not how it works though....

better to market a niche, john. specializing is key, imo.

and it sounds better without the possessive - 'JM Aquariums'.

i was just thinking JMs Aquariums rhymed to some extent...but yeah I can see what you are saying...

we will keep our niche on the net, and will probably do just SW, 98% sure...I was just excited today when I saw some breathtaking FW tanks...you would understand the feeling if you saw these. After a good night's sleep it will wear off....or do you mean keep with the cleaners niche? I am thinking there are some flaws with that like:

how many CUCs can be sold in one area
keeping lots of film/diatom/cyano etc.. eating creatures requires you to actually grow that stuff or they starve, stock rotation is just not possible on a larger scale on those items...well i guess it is, but it is difficult...but then people see a dirty tank, and some dont get that is what you are doing on purpose...
and also...I really like fish, and this is a job of choice, and I kind of want to be able to keep tons of fish, even if it is only briefly...

would like to hear your feedback though...your opinion is highly regarded. but on the net, we are staying with the niche, maybe just a few things out of the niche to help soften shipping but that is about it.

whats the cover charge? any nekked mermaids?

props to you john for wanting to open a LFS. it takes alot of dedication to run one. wish you the best of luck in your venture.

now there is a business....would have to be a big tank though...

I like JM Aquariums...does this mean I win ?
I suppose the decision hasn't been made yet.

bah, water just clouds the view .. they got mermaids down there?



bah, water just clouds the view .. they got mermaids down there?

I meant the marine niche, not the cleaners niche. around here anyway, a lot of places are getting rid of fresh altogether in favor of frag tanks and marine fishes. think of it this way: the average price for a saltwater fish would be about thirty bucks. the average price for a freshwater fish is, what, a couple bucks?

same when comparing freshwater plants to corals. there's a higher profit margin in saltwater. maybe if you make a tiny fresh section super-specialized (pygmy albino gouramis with pink-rimmed caudal fins, for instance) it could work, but I think you would be better off focusing on saltwater only, from a profit/loss perspective.

also, will you have any local competition specializing in endemic livestock? if not, think about setting up a small system for FL-only livestock; if not to directly sell, then as a display, say 40g or so. macros, gorgonians, rics, maybe a condi, etc. the biotopic presentation may appeal to a lot of people, and it could be a cool way to 'represent'.

"macro reef"

""reef haven"

"maloney's got crabs?"


(yes with a question mark!)

Fish Fetish
The Sump
Fish Guts
Dime bag frags
Coral Connoisseur
We sell Nemo
Rent can wait

you might want to stock goldfish. there was a LFS owner in the bay area making a killing on em. it wasn't the goldfish that was making the bucks, it was all the accessories they bought along with it. plastic plants, gravel, tank, filter etc etc etc.





don't know if john is married but his wife might not dig that dba

"Buy the Sea Store"

play on (By the Sea Shore)

Since Weeite & I have taken down our prop tanks, we might be enticed with a custom CUC to give you

Reef Chick's Coral Kitchen

Good luck with the new store. I'll have to check it out on my next trip down---whenever that is.

ATLANTIS AQUARIUMS
ATLANTIS AQUATICS
Sea Garden Aquariums
" " Aquatics

you make a point...will be SW only...another guy who sold me marineland systems told me that adding FW was the worst thing he did because he became "just another aquarium store" in the minds of his customers...not that he is a mind reader but...I respect the guy's opinion all the same...

I love the Caribbean stuff, and will feature some of it, but the downfall to Florida species are:

1. they go for much, much less down here (not too much of a problem, reef cleaners can keep the store in biz, the rest is icing and I plan on being reasonable anyway)
2. people go out and collect their own -really dilutes the value of Atlantic species
3. my license doesn't cover most things, so i am buying them wholesale anyway, for about the same price for Pacific critters......working on changing that...Would love to be licensed to catch fish, lots of fun, (at least when you aren't barrier netting), and there is far less stress on them than through normal channels....But, I do know some MLE divers, and while the ocean creates all things equal, there is vast differences in quality based on the source. I would like all the Atlantic stuff to come straight from some divers I trust...I would rather skip the wholesaler, even though the prices from these guys are usually the same if not higher than the wholesaler.

With things like gorgs, and zoas it is easy to see, but after awhile you can tell the difference in the behavior of fish that come from guy A vs. guy B. Sometimes guy A crowds his tank, never pays them much attention and is aggressive with collection, and those fish are skiddish..guy B takes a better approach and his fish aren't scared of you at all etc...well I am rambling...time to get some sleep...

But...sales of Pacific species pay the bills...the market in FL is way different that way.

Hey how does the SaltWater Room sound i think its cool and sounds hip!

makes sense, based on your locale. so you're planning on a little bit of everything then? fish and corals? or are you going to specialize in something? how are you differentiating yourself from the competition? I appreciate that you don't necessarily need to turn a profit, but even if your goal is to break even you'll likely need a hook, so to speak. a store specifically for large, show-quality tangs, triggers, angels, wrasses etc would be a sight to see...

sorry for the third degree, just curious. my business may have folded, but consulting is still where my heart is.

Here are names my wife has been rambling at me for the past half hour lol

Sea It Your Way
Salt In Your Eye
Coastal Creations
Everyday Saltwater
Everyday Reefing
Searoic Lifestyle
Maloney's Abalone
From Sand to Sea
Tank You Very Much
Sealight (play on Skylight)
Nobody has Brind Like Mine
Something to Sea
I C U (Intensive Coral Unit)

Cleaner Reefs
Johns Reef Supply
Big Johns Reef supply
Big Johnnys Reef
John's Maloney presents: Reeftown
Reeftown
Saltwater Critter Crews
Reef Supplies
Trace Elements
Trace Element Reefs
Maloney's Reef
Reef Store

Im tryin to get some free stufff

LOL!1!!

"Dime bag frags"
A dime along with any purchase of a frag?

" The Aquatic Couture" as simple as that

Mermaid's Champagne Room
Old Salt Creep
JM & Sons Family Owned Local Business Saltwater And Neighborhood Marine (sounds established, imo)

Prized Marine
Mermaid's Garden (was that already said?)
Emerald Ocean
Sapphire Marine

I prefer the 3rd degree, we will specialize in cleaners and macro, as you could imagine....our competition has good selection in that area, but no idea what each cleaner eats, and I think we will have a leg up there. On the macro front...they only have shaving brushes so...we should have an edge there. Additionally live foods, will be a feature. Gut loaded brine vs. regular useless brine, live shore shrimp, live algae, rotifers, pods, fresh plankton and cultures, etc... We will also stock every freeze dried ingredient imaginable, and make custom mixes per the customers request.

water testing, parameter correction (one gallon of saltwater mixed to a level that will bring up there parameters to boost their saltwater mixes, etc...we will also sell SW, that seems to be a mainstay in the area..)

I like that model, because I am used to it, and also because there are a lot of "routine" purchases to be made. Come to us first for your salt, food, cleaning, and water testing, and check out the fish and coral while you are here...etc...

Coral will go both ways, reasonably priced colonies, dirt cheap frags (low margins at least), and as much of it aquacultured as I can possibly get.

They already got a large show fish store in the area....but angels and non-reef safe wrasses are a favorite of mine, and I would make them a feature of the fish section, a small predator section and the bulk nano-fish and that should about round it out.

Maloney Cove
Maloney Cove Reef
Maloney Cove Reef Shop
Maloney Reef
Maloney Reef Shop
Maloney Marine
Maloney Marine Shop
Maloney Marine Cove
Maloney Marine Reef
Maloney Marine Cove Reef
Maloney Marince Cove Reef Shop

...just trying to cover all my bases! Did I miss any?

I say you move to Sonoma County and opoen it here

REEFS R US
REEF MART

East Coast Reefs
East Coast Reefers
Tide Bay Reefs
Open Waters
Glass Oceans
East Coast Aquariums
Sea Side Supplies
Ocean View Aquariums
Shore Line Reefs
Reef Key's
The Reef Stop

that's all for now. Sorry if some of them overlap with others already said I didn't read through all the titles people submitted.

Yeah I wouldn't go with freshwater either, all the newer store owners that I know that have freshwater have regretted putting them in. Also, you don't need a really big place in order for it to be nice. I've been to so many stores where they have more space than they need and practically empty tanks just sitting around. And try to keep it simple, the stores that have nice corals and nice fish, but don't go crazy with all kinds of exotic livestock and high prices are the ones that fair the best over time.

Yeah, we came up with a ton of names before we settled in on ours. I think its best to pick a name that describes what you're doing/selling. Of course I've had a few people thinking I'm growing a different type of reef, but that's bound to happen. I know there's more than a couple people on this site that would like to be able to get their reef and reefer at the same store. lol

REEFTOPIA!!!!


Atlantis Gardens

nice, sounds like a good plan - well rounded, but based on staples to drive repeat business. I wish we had a store like that here.

A Affordable Aquatics

You'll be first on the yellow pages.

besides AAA

oooh...that is good thinking...there is a ton of "Aquatic this...Aqua that...", but "F" comes before "Q" last I checked.

reef goddess - yeah that is what i am thinking....the internet customer kind of skews the market in a way...I mean most tanks are FOWL or just FO, and most people aren't into crazy named SPS and all that...not everyone is an addict. Plus keeping it simple is nice....either way, it should be fun.

We decided on a generic name for the online shop, and I think it has served us well, after thinking about it, we will probably use Reef Cleaners, if we go the tank service route...but I like being around hobbyists, and except for the one or two times "not sure how all this algae happened but we could use a pro this week", most hobbyists handle their own tanks, and I feel like I will just be working in restaurants...there is money in it, but for me as long as I pay my bills and enjoy what I do I am happy...maybe get an employee to do it.

jeremai- thank you so much for your free advice! I really appreciate and respect it. One last question before you bill me, do you think an LFS can operate without selling tanks? The way I see it is that tanks take up too much room that can be used for a tank with livestock...but then I wonder if I will be losing out on the LR, sand etc...and the opportunity to teach the new hobbyist about the cycle etc..

"The Hole In Your Pocket"

It isn't going to be a boat store.

JMEIEIO
John Maloney's Exotic Invert Export/Import Online

been a long day - thx for the macros and inverts - I'll get another order when the small nerites are in and get some fuzzy caulerpa too

Mr. Maloney's Aquarium Emporium

+1

update on front page...winner and all that

damn

thought i was gonna get it

now i have to buy my cuc :-D

Corallineadam or coralinedream?

there are two of them? i should right him by the way...

I see...eh...I got 2 hours of sleep since Monday, take it easy on me...just another 114 emails to go and then lights out see you thursday night probably.

Haha its ok.

Hey since you are tired, try this tongue twister. Say Irish wristwatch 5 times fast.

i didnt even get it the first time!

I know. Its very difficult and funny when others try to lol

I like it! "The Reef Source"

Easy to remember and to the point...!