They have big frag tables with only 2 radions each hanging 3' over the tanks with pathetically dim lights. This is fine if you want to pick up frogspawn or a torch. But for sps it's hugely inadequate. The fish are kept in holding tanks the size of a wanton soup container. They have a pathetic selection of dry goods. To be fair most of the shops are the same. They buy corals and fish and try to sell them before they die. IMO if you want great sps the only way to get it is from other reef keepers, or pay crazy prices from the likes of poto and Jason Fox. I just wish some of the LFS did a better job.
Hey I'm sorry to hear about your disappointment maybe i can break down a couple of details
Radions over sps tank
-We bring in mariculture sps weekly they are extremely sensitive to artificial lighting we are not trying to grow the corals we are aiming to keep them live and get accustomed to artificial lighting
-Flexibility of going through multiple light spectrums on the spot to closely replicate the customers tanks
-leds are extremely cost effective(con ed)
-3 feet above the tanks(very expensive fixtures and sometimes we have to protect our investments)
Reason for fish cubicles is simple we get to isolate fish might be a smaller space but at the same time these fish feel way more comfortable in solitary confinement oppose to being in a tank with multiple fish who may end up adding more stress to the already stressed fish.
Most of all i could not have agreed with you more on our pathetic dry goods sections your 100% correct this store was built by hobbyist who did not have a million dollars to start a business,no loans from a bank,or any type of funds we purely just followed our dreams and hope the business we made will help us grow over time, you said you are small business owner yourself look at your business now compared to when you first started it took time to be the best. We are only 8months old and went from having no dry goods to having rodi units,reactors,pumps and a pretty good selection of dry goods not the best but we are getting there. There has been major improvements daily.
At the end of the day i am still a hobbyist and i no my store is not perfect and will not hesitate to admit that but what store is ? But i wake up every day put my 15 hours in and do the best i can but in due time i no we will be an amazing store just a little time and dedication, from the sound of it I'm guessing you haven't been here in a while come check us out I'm sure the improvements will hit you instantly and I'm sure every time after you will realize how hard we are trying to grow as a business, thank you for taking the time to read this hope i see you soon most of all happy reefing
TRS
