running a pet shop

[Anonymous]

As Gresham said, it's good to have a plan, I wouldn't start any business without tweaking numbers like crazy.

If you have limited space you may want to consider carrying livestock and equipment that emphasizes nano reefs, not only are they popular, they are a stepping stone for people that may give you time to dial in your systems for larger tanks and more advanced customers.

Very true that. While I've never run a pet shop and only managed aquatic shops, I can state that my nano set-ups (I did both f/w planted and mini-reefs) sold a lot of equipment and peripherals.

 

[coralfarmin]

how do you upload a image here. http://www.freeimagehosting.net/image.p ... 8d3a28.jpg

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/image.p ... abf5e6.jpg ....some tank shots

 

[coralfarmin]

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/image.p ... 0107b7.jpg picture of the back room, I want to black it out and make it the reef room

there are plenty of fresh water tanks but only 2 saltwater currently....anyone have any ideas on how I can set up the salt section....I was just going to copy the wood racks in front and drill a bunch of 10 gallons with a shared sump maybe 4- 10 gallons to 1- 20 long sump per bank....the wood racks hold about 24 10gallon...and 4-6 20 longs on the bottom

heres some more tanks...20 longs racked http://www.freeimagehosting.net/image.p ... 29e17f.jpg not a very good shot, but I was thinking I could bleach them out and drill them also for saltwater

plus there is 4 55 gallons racked ,,,,and a saltwater 55 on its own stand.

 

[coralfarmin]

well we got thru the first week, went well. Hopefully every week will be the same.

We are trying to find drygood suppliers other then summit pet or wilcoxs. if anyone knows of others that are better/cheaper please let us know.

eddie

 

[swsaltwater]

You can look for Cetral pet or Royal pet depending on the region for drygoods. For Aquatics only you can try Reef H2O in Phoenix Az. He has a decent line and free shipping over $400.....Central Pet is nationwide so I can't see them not being an option unless you are in a really rural area. On the Saltwater design i would make one section a Larger tank for the tangs and Angels to have some room. Instead of 4 10 gallons on one bank maybe try one 60 or one 50 gallon......

 

[coralfarmin]

thanks,

we have 2 55 gallons and 2 30, also now I am gonna use 6-9 20 longs that have fresh water in them currently, but I plan to convert them

 

[dizzy]

You might check with Bradley Caldwell for dry goods. They have absorbed Loveland. They were a farm/feed store wholesaler who is now in the pet biz. The downside is that the feed stores are being encouraged to carry pet supplies in competition to traditional pet stores. Of course if you have the floor space you can start selling farm supplies as well. The 8' diameter round stock watering tanks are pretty nifty, and great for sharks or stingrays. (Koi too)

 

[Anonymous]

Of course if you have the floor space you can start selling farm supplies as well. (Koi too)

Maybe a true livestock (cows, pigs, etc) selection out back?

Didn't know that about Loveland, when did that go down?

 

[dizzy]

Gresham the transition has been going on for well over a year now. They will have the Loveland show joined into the Bradley Caldwell home show in Atlantic City. It is in the middle of next week.
Mitch

 

[Anonymous]

Gresham the transition has been going on for well over a year now. They will have the Loveland show joined into the Bradley Caldwell home show in Atlantic City. It is in the middle of next week.
Mitch

Going head to head with SuperZoo then I guess since it's midweek next week as well.

 

[coralfarmin]

you know, I have thought of that, since one of the 2 local feed stores closed about a month ago.

thanks all
eddie

 

[WETTERONE]

i've heard it said lately that to have a $1M a year pet/fish/aquarium store, start with a $5M pet/fish/aquarium store. That summarizes the challenges ahead. That said, it is a rewarding, exciting and interesting undertaking. I've been doing business with Central Pet and found their prices to be the most reasonable for a small store to purchase from. There are drawbacks and Reef H2O (see earlier post) has been most helpful Steve there has a wealth of experience and knows the aquarium hobby very well. Try to get in touch with them (www.reefh20.com). Don't forget other costly goodies such as insurance, telephones, internet service and oh yeah...the cost of taking credit cards. BEST OF LUCK.

 

[coralfarmin]

thanks ...I have converted 9 20 gallon longs to saltwater today, and plan on converting about 10, 10 gallons that are on the same wall..also a 55 gallon.

anyone ever use bubble filters for saltwater fish..there was 2 bubblers in each 20 gallon, and since the air from the blower is already in place to run them, I have thought of using them instead of buying more power filters.

 

[spstimie]

i've heard it said lately that to have a $1M a year pet/fish/aquarium store, start with a $5M pet/fish/aquarium store

I don't think it's lately. The saying i have heard for years is" If you want to make a small fortune with a fish store, Start with a large fortune." and I have heard that from stores grossing 750k/year plus.

 

[swsaltwater]

The more you make the more you spend and the more you work. The old joke I heard was how do you make a million bucks from a fish store: answer start with 5 and wait a few years............

If you want a job that you have to bust butt all day long and just pay the bills a fish store is for you, if you want to make a ton of money fast owning your own business. The street narcotics trade, ACORN employee, prostitution, or owning a strip club are for you..........

 

[JennM]

thanks
anyone ever use bubble filters for saltwater fish..there was 2 bubblers in each 20 gallon, and since the air from the blower is already in place to run them, I have thought of using them instead of buying more power filters.

If you want to spend the rest of your life cleaning salt creep off everything...

Jenn

 

[coralfarmin]

I have power filters now, but I put carbon in the bubblers....never thought bout the salt creep, I guess I'll get to try the anti salt creep spray and see if it really works