I had a dream last night...

Seriously, I dreamed this last night. Settle back because this was a really great dream and I want it to be as detailed as possible while I still remember it before it all goes away.

I dreamt I owned a fish store here where I had seen a storefront property for sale/rent a few days ago with some really nice big glass windows. In my dream, I had a gigantic tank made out of wood with nice cabinetry hiding the wooden areas with acrylic windows. This tank was about 600 gallons and it had black gravel as substrate with huge amazon swords in it. It also had a gigantic piece of driftwood that I had found and cleaned myself. The stock was several large full-sized variety of Oscars, a full-size Common Pleco, and a school of Bala Sharks. Underneath this tank was the sump, openly displayed with the big canister filter beside it to show off the filtration system that the tank ran off to show people just what it took to run a tank of this size.

Then off to the left side, there's an entire half wall of bettas in only 2.5 gallon tanks or larger. From one end would be the common variety of bettas with normal prices that people can afford then as you went to the other side of the wall, you had the higher-quality, rare show bettas. There would be signs explaining where the betta came from, the required care of bettas, explaining why this store will not sell anything less than 2.5 gallons. My employees would also be required to explain to the customers about betta care and fish care in general.

Then right smack dab in the middle would be a small indoors pond stocked with a variety of Koi, Goldfish and other species. Even crayfish would be in there. I would allow customers to come and put their unwanted goldfish into this pond so they would have a place. All of the fish would be for sale except one: an albino catfish named Bubba. How cool is that? (Afterthought: Maybe I could put in native fish as well, though I wouldn't be able to sell them, only as display fish).

Then lining the walls all around would be NOTHING but display tanks. I had always thought that normal store's tanks looked so bare, bland and boring with nothing in it but fake plants and fish. Not my store. Every tank would be heavily planted or medium planted. They would run off either sponge filters, or be dirtied, or have Aquaclears. There would be no central filtration. That way I could be absolutely sure that if one tank came down sick, the others would not be affected. Not to mention the savings in water and power bills I would get if I ran El Natural tanks! These tanks would be stocked with fish suitable for the typical tanks owned by people, from small nano fish to fish suitable for 100 gallons. Anything above that would have to be ordered for the customer. This information would be on the front of the tanks, showing people what the minimum size tanks the fish were suitable for.

I would not sell common fish sold that grows to huge sizes such as Bala Sharks, Common Goldfish, Oscars, etc, only special-ordered if the customer requests them. I would keep a smaller tank with baby Balas, Oscars, and Plecos besides the window display tank to show people just exactly how huge they get to be. More likely, fish that would be sold would be fish like Celestial Pearl Danios, Zebra Danios, Guppies, Endlers, Pearl Gouramis, Dwarf Cichlids, etc. I would keep a breeding operation offsite for the more rarer fish like Apistogrammas, varieties of Bristlenose Plecos, rarer nano fish like Dwarf Emerald Rasboras, etc. I would sell them both in the store and online.

One section would be devoted entirely to shrimp. Red Cherry Shrimp, Blue Pearl Shrimp, Yellow Shrimp, Green Shrimp, RilI Shrimp, Bee Shrimp, Blue Tiger Shrimp, Tiger Shrimp, and SulawesI Shrimp, along with SulawesI Tylomelania snails, Mystery Snails, Malaysian Trumpet Snails (those would be given away free upon request ), Nerite Snails, etc. I would also have Nerites in both the freshwater tanks and in my saltwater tanks. Several tanks would be brackish, stocked with Puffers, Mollies, crabs, etc.

1/3rds of the wall would be devoted to saltwater fish and tanks, kept by my employees because I know nothing about them. Then in the center would be the supplies, ranging from sponge filters to Aquaclears to canisters to driftwoods of different sizes to rocks to even my own version of mineralized soil to sell to people to set up their own dirty tanks.

And here we come to the end of my dream, which is the grand opening. I had invited the entire Fishlore forum as well as my local NC fish forum to attend the opening where I would have a BBQ out in the front of the store with a giant cooker roasting a pig. You guys would be bringing dishes to help me out as well!

This has now become my goal. From now on, I will be working towards achieving this dream.

 

That is an amazing dream Zee!!! Hope you are able to attain it on day.

 

I would definitely shop there! I know the logistics are what make it difficult, but I would LOVE to see a store that didn't have bettas in cups, didn't even sell 1/2 gallon bowls, didn't have dead fish in the tank, didn't mislead people and allow them to believe the fish would stay small, and so on. I hope one day you can open such a store!

 

If there is anything I can do to help, you just let me know.

 

Supposed to be a vid of JI'm Nabors singing "The Impossible Dream"
Unfortunately I'm tech challenged and can't figure out how to post a YouTube video....

 

You guys would be bringing dishes to help me out as well!

The whole dream sounded pretty believable until I read this part....... sorry, I'm not giving you any of my dishes.

 

was this a real dream? like when you were sleeping? or a dream you have...to one day achieve? either way....I think it's great! with lots of planning and research....oh and money, your dream could be a reality!

 

He has a step up with me.
I have done an enormous amount of research in this area when I was still planning on doing this very thing.

 

wow that's a heck of a dream! Hope you can acomplish it!

 

Thanks!

I would definitely shop there! I know the logistics are what make it difficult, but I would LOVE to see a store that didn't have bettas in cups, didn't even sell 1/2 gallon bowls, didn't have dead fish in the tank, didn't mislead people and allow them to believe the fish would stay small, and so on. I hope one day you can open such a store!

I know I'll lose business by not telling people lies in order to keep them coming back and buying other stuff. But where's what I really think: One of the reasons why I would start new people out the right way is because of the welfare of the animals. When I sell something, I want to make sure that something will stay alive, it deserves respect, it deserves the space it needs, it deserves the care. It is a living being. When you take on that responsibility, it shouldn't be taken lightly.

But the major reason why I think being honest would work is because this hobby is addicting. If you give people the right advice the first time around, that will earn people's trust. I've been seeing a pattern on here and on other forums with new people. Once they learn the right way, what do they do? They get more supplies and fish. They start switching to live plants. Even Jaysee has live plants now compared to when I first came here and he didn't have much. Then they start upgrading to bigger, more elaborate tanks.

If I start customers out the right way, then they will come back for more advice, more supplies, more fish, etc. This hobby can become very addictive, then before I know it, they'll be doing bigger tanks. MTS is a powerful thing.

Plus, most pet stores I know don't sell online. Why not? That's extra income. If my store business isn't doing well, then the online side of things will help keep it afloat. I've seen a lot of LFS close down because they weren't doing well from the storefront business. I know one LFS in Durham that always tries to give the right advice, is responsible before selling their fish, etc, and they've been in business for over 20 years. That is remarkable! I grew up with that LFS.

How many LFS have you seen with full display tanks? None that I know of. I know they exist in Asia, but not here in America. When people see nothing but display tanks filled with lots of plants, then they're going to be pulled in. They're going to want to have one of their own once they see how lush the tank is. A healthy tank is a sign of healthy stock. I know I would much prefer to get plants and livestock from a tank that looks like it's been taken care of than something that looks sick and overstocked and miserable like at Wal-Mart and I know others think the same way.

The whole dream sounded pretty believable until I read this part....... sorry, I'm not giving you any of my dishes.

Haha, I meant dishes as in food! I do admit, I added that last bit. But how awesome would that be? I did dream this during my sleep, but when I woke up, I started adding bits and thinking about how this would work.

was this a real dream? like when you were sleeping? or a dream you have...to one day achieve? either way....I think it's great! with lots of planning and research....oh and money, your dream could be a reality!

Oh, definitely. I'm years away from actually getting this going, but I've already started out. What really made me want to do this is my Cherry shrimp. The active posters here have my RCS. It always fills me with a sense of pride when I see photos and stories of them from members on here. I think, "That's my shrimp and look at them! They're doing great!" It amazes me how far they've gone from my little 20 gallon tank. They've gone to Washington, Colorado, California, Utah, etc. thousands of miles away. I want to continue feeling that sense of accomplishment, not just with my Cherries, but with other species. That's why I fully intend on staying on Fishlore even after my store opens.

A responsible aquarist is one who helps increase the captive population so that more and more wild-caught ones will stay in the wild, plus should the wild species ever become extinct in the wild, we will still have that species in our tanks and we can restock the wild. Plus captive ones will have less disease, be more hardy, and overall better than wild-caught will be. That's why I want to start a breeding operation with rarer fish. I intend on breeding my Apistogramma Trifasciatas soon because I don't see them much at all, even online and they're really a great fish. I've already started a Blue Pearl Shrimp tank with intents of them breeding. I've already started on my dream, little by little.

He has a step up with me.
I have done an enormous amount of research in this area when I was still planning on doing this very thing.

Really? What made you not do this?

 

while I personally don't have any of your shrimp...I bet it is pretty cool to hear of stories that they are doing well. =] I know your dream is possible....just have to plan. having a business background probably wouldn't hurt either

 

I have found I have a lot more fun selling to the hobbyist online, versus the general public in person.
Plus the fish I mainly have worked with are threatened or endangered species, not much of a local market ( "may I interest you in this mainly colorless fish who have tiny tail extensions, but are a threatened species?" xiphophorus maye).

Another factor was to make the store a go, I would have to build it in a close location to the interstate, so that I was easily found by out of county customers. The county I live in has a population of about 70,000. National statistics from the pet industry say 5% of homes have an aquarium, 2% multiple tanks. I live about an hours drive from a city of close to 1/2 a million and a city of about 400,000. Thus, the store would have to be amazing to draw serious hobbyist from an hour away. The closer to the interstate, the higher the land prices.

As a stand alone shop, price will be higher, as you cannot buy as cheaply as the chains or W.
So, once again, you have to be amazing so that customers realize that when paying 5$ more for the filter, you are also getting knowledge and experience. Some folks will not be able to see past the 5$.

While figuring out the financing, I realised I was going to need a minimum of $500,000, for land, building and start up stock. With that same amount of money, I could build a hatchery 20X larger than my current fishhouse and hire someone to help me run it, and be able to pay them a decent wage.

 

while I personally don't have any of your shrimp...I bet it is pretty cool to hear of stories that they are doing well. =] I know your dream is possible....just have to plan. having a business background probably wouldn't hurt either

It is. I don't have a business background... That's the part I'm nervous about but I'm willing to learn. I HATE math... but I know I'm going to have to do a lot of it if I want to do this. I failed my only math class, MAT 112, at my university then retook the same class with the same professor with half of the same answers. I copied the same answers from the last semester and passed with 2.3 points to spare! I'm currently working on a BA in English, but right now I'm taking a break from university.

I have found I have a lot more fun selling to the hobbyist online, versus the general public in person.
Plus the fish I mainly have worked with are threatened or endangered species, not much of a local market ( "may I interest you in this mainly colorless fish who have tiny tail extensions, but are a threatened species?" xiphophorus maye).

Another factor was to make the store a go, I would have to build it in a close location to the interstate, so that I was easily found by out of county customers. The county I live in has a population of about 70,000. National statistics from the pet industry say 5% of homes have an aquarium, 2% multiple tanks. I live about an hours drive from a city of close to 1/2 a million and a city of about 400,000. Thus, the store would have to be amazing to draw serious hobbyist from an hour away. The closer to the interstate, the higher the land prices.

As a stand alone shop, price will be higher, as you cannot buy as cheaply as the chains or W.
So, once again, you have to be amazing so that customers realize that when paying 5$ more for the filter, you are also getting knowledge and experience. Some folks will not be able to see past the 5$.

While figuring out the financing, I realised I was going to need a minimum of $500,000, for land, building and start up stock. With that same amount of money, I could build a hatchery 20X larger than my current fishhouse and hire someone to help me run it, and be able to pay them a decent wage.

Now that is interesting. I understand why it wouldn't have been feasible for you to set up your own store. You're doing good work with the threatened species, I understand 100% where you're coming from.

The location I'd love but I'm sure won't be available in a few years is part of a shopping strip with restaurants, Hobbytown USA across the parking lot, etc, is right on a very busy street and a bridge that has another busy street running underneath it. That area of the complex isn't terribly busy, but it is visible from the street.

This town I live in has 269,666 or so population according to the 2010 census. However, that doesn't take into account the huge amount of college students that live here for several years and usually has at least a betta. There are several colleges in my town, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, which has over 15,000 students, then there's Greensboro College, North Carolina A&T, Guilford College, Bennett College, Strayer University, Pfeffier University, ECPI University, not to forget Guilford Technical Community College as well. There is also another town 15-30 minutes away that has a population of 103,368, again, not taking into account the few colleges there such as High Point University, etc. Another city that's about 45-an hour away has 229,617 as of 2010. The Triad of NC is one of the more densely populated areas of NC.

I mentioned that there are Asian fish stores that are along the lines of what I'm thinking about. This is a fish store in Hong Kong. Credit goes to IceDragon on The Planted Tank forum. -




















Tell me you wouldn't shop there.

 

I am familiar with your part of North Carolina.
I have been there many times doing sci-fI conventions and rock collecting.

As I said before, anything I can do to help, just let me know.

 

...why can't I find plants that look that nice? The only ones I can get are usually half-dead and pitifully small. I'd love to be able to go to a store like that.

 

ok wow, that is an awesome store! I love that christmas tree tank too lol.

I think you should go for it man.

Heck id buy from ya!

 

omg I know! did you see that little xmas tree tank...with the 'snow' sand? cute. I would have a hard time leaving a shop that looked like that. even the biggest lfs near my area doesn't look like that.

 

...why can't I find plants that look that nice? The only ones I can get are usually half-dead and pitifully small. I'd love to be able to go to a store like that.

Buy your plants from members here.
I guareentee they are better than what is in most stores.

 

Is there somewhere that members sell plants to each other on here??????

 

Down toward the bottom of the main forum page is a buy/sell/trade board.

 

I am familiar with your part of North Carolina.
I have been there many times doing sci-fI conventions and rock collecting.

As I said before, anything I can do to help, just let me know.

You can be sure I'll have questions for you! Rest assured, sire.

...why can't I find plants that look that nice? The only ones I can get are usually half-dead and pitifully small. I'd love to be able to go to a store like that.

Exactly! Healthy plants are hard to find, but they won't be in my LFS.

ok wow, that is an awesome store! I love that christmas tree tank too lol.

I think you should go for it man.

Heck id buy from ya!

omg I know! did you see that little xmas tree tank...with the 'snow' sand? cute. I would have a hard time leaving a shop that looked like that. even the biggest lfs near my area doesn't look like that.

Yes, I definitely want to do the christmas tree tank. I just need to find safe minI christmas trees. How, I have no idea.

Buy your plants from members here.
I guareentee they are better than what is in most stores.

Exactly! I intend on buying from aquarists on here rather than special ordered. Then once they come in, all I have to do is let them grow and propagate. I also intend on having plant tanks in my breeding operation in order to keep up the good qualities of plants. Food culturing as well, like live blackworms, mealworms, earthworms, etc. I'd also love to have a section of my LFS devoted to amphibians and reptiles. At some point I'd like to try breeding Fire Belly Newts because they're usually wild-caught and the condition they arrive in stores are absolutely horrid.


If you want to see a few more photos of the Hong Kong stores and information about them, here is the link -

 

when/if you find them def send me a link with info!

 

I've been doing research on the Christmas trees... A possible use are those used by model train hobbyists. There's a store that specializes ONLY in model trains close by my house. I'll drop by there and ask about them. Maybe they'll know what that stuff is made out of.

From what I've read so far, the needles are made out of PVC.

 

A Christmas themed tank is a very important thing to have!

 

Ugh, I dropped by and nobody was there. So I found their website but a mailer daemon error message was sent back. So I decided to look up how they do it and found this -

https://www.bigindoortrains.com/primer/weed_trees/homemade_trees.htm

Certainly doesn't sound too fish-safe! Looks like a trip to the hobby store may be in order. Another thought I had was to buy a small broom or something then cut the green bristles off and silicone them to a fish-safe pole but it might not look as uniform...

Another thought I had was the name of my LFS - ZeeZ Live Aquatics, Inc. How does that sound? You like? No?

 

Id go a little simpler,

Z Aquatics inc. putting aquatics on top of an extended bottom z line for a logo would look nice as well. Could also have some air bubbles or something coming up behind the name like a bubble wall.

 

A dream - or a vision of things to come?

Go for it, the hobby needs you!

And wow, thanks for hose pics of that Hong Kong fish store. You can see why there are so many aquascaping contest finalists from there is that is the kind of LFS you can get access to!

*drools*

 

I made some logos! Go here -