Starting an Aquarium Business - Page 4

daddavis1 · 08/22/2008, 10:19 AM

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 · 08/22/2008, 11:09 AM

/\ Heh, sorry digger but this thread is pretty much dead, your the first to post to it in over two years.

fernandokng · 06/09/2009, 10:12 AM

bumpity bump :-)

snorvich · 06/12/2009, 03:20 PM

If you want to make a small fortune in the aquarium business, you had best start with a large fortune. The business model for a brick and mortar LFS simply does not work without a substantial maintenance business.

ctenophors rule · 06/12/2009, 04:28 PM

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.

snorvich · 06/14/2009, 12:33 PM

If you are addressing your comment to me, ctenophors rule, I have spares on all critical equipment.

zulu_principle · 06/15/2009, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by snorvich
If you want to make a small fortune in the aquarium business, you had best start with a large fortune. The business model for a brick and mortar LFS simply does not work without a substantial maintenance business.

Any business where you get multiple income streams optimally managed should be more successful than just a single stream. Maintenance along with a B&M can come with multiple headaches but the specific issue of labour in either is the biggest issue I have !

The more income streams the better, but online sales is its own beast and can certainly change how you do business in the future.

All the best.

Wendell

snorvich · 06/16/2009, 02:15 PM

After spending a lot of time consulting to an LFS on business and financial models, I can assure you it is true. Now if you have a income stream not involving a LFS's basic business it is no longer an LFS. Without maintenance, an LFS will fail. Most LFS have no idea if they are making money, breaking even, or losing money. Tremendous hobby knowledge, no business acumen.

Crypsis · 08/09/2011, 07:52 AM

Interesting thread! I wonder if the op ever got this up and running.

SaveOurReefs · 08/09/2011, 08:30 AM

Keep it alive!

Atomikk · 08/09/2011, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crypsis

Interesting thread! I wonder if the op ever got this up and running.

Probably not. Its not easy owning a LFS. Too much risk involved, unless you do 70/30 in drygoods/livegoods.

snorvich · 08/10/2011, 08:44 PM

Unlikely. Even if started, it is unlikely to be going still. Very difficult times for LFS.

RandoReefer · 04/01/2014, 03:51 PM

Almost 10 years later, and the OP's goal was 5 years out...... Would be nice to run a RC "Where Are They Now" segment!

RasBobre · 04/01/2014, 04:00 PM

I'm still in business with many of the same clients as 10 years ago. Of course 10 years ago I thought that I'd have a fleet of service vehicles by now and I would be on the beaches of Hawaii.

But I'm happy with my decision to go into self employment. My clients respect me and my local business community does too.

daytonareefing · 04/06/2014, 06:09 AM

Can you tell me who is farming corals in Florida. You said you know someone doing it in a green house. Thank you
Good luck with the business I always wanted to do it myself but I can't so I hope it works out for you.

08/22/2008, 10:19 AM	#76
daddavis1 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Seymour, WI Posts: 364	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. __________________ Digger Current Tank Info: 200G Tot, 165 NET trying Zeo

08/22/2008, 11:09 AM	#77
SaveOurReefs Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 341	/\ Heh, sorry digger but this thread is pretty much dead, your the first to post to it in over two years. __________________ Tanks to hold corals: $1000's of dollars Hand feeding corals at 5 in the morning: Priceless Current Tank Info: 30g, 58g, 100g

06/12/2009, 03:20 PM	#79
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	If you want to make a small fortune in the aquarium business, you had best start with a large fortune. The business model for a brick and mortar LFS simply does not work without a substantial maintenance business. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

06/12/2009, 04:28 PM	#80
ctenophors rule Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: port saint lucy Posts: 1,017	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. __________________ just my oppinion....then again... who the hell am I! Current Tank Info: my fishbowls are round 8)

06/14/2009, 12:33 PM	#81
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	If you are addressing your comment to me, ctenophors rule, I have spares on all critical equipment. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

06/09/2009, 10:12 AM	#78
fernandokng Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New York City Posts: 425	bumpity bump :-)

06/16/2009, 02:15 PM	#83
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	After spending a lot of time consulting to an LFS on business and financial models, I can assure you it is true. Now if you have a income stream not involving a LFS's basic business it is no longer an LFS. Without maintenance, an LFS will fail. Most LFS have no idea if they are making money, breaking even, or losing money. Tremendous hobby knowledge, no business acumen. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

08/09/2011, 07:52 AM	#84
Crypsis yes Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Co Posts: 364	Interesting thread! I wonder if the op ever got this up and running. __________________ Merlin Current Tank Info: 180gal rimless peninsula build in progress.

08/09/2011, 08:30 AM	#85
SaveOurReefs Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 341	Keep it alive! __________________ Tanks to hold corals: $1000's of dollars Hand feeding corals at 5 in the morning: Priceless Current Tank Info: 30g, 58g, 100g

08/10/2011, 08:44 PM	#87
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	Unlikely. Even if started, it is unlikely to be going still. Very difficult times for LFS. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

04/01/2014, 03:51 PM	#88
RandoReefer Randy_BRS Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Minnesota Posts: 212 Blog Entries: 7	Almost 10 years later, and the OP's goal was 5 years out...... Would be nice to run a RC "Where Are They Now" segment! __________________ 8x24" ATI Dimmable w/Blue ReefBrite Tech strip; Apex Lite (2EBs, PM1 Module, BBox); 4x MP10QDwES; Custom Emerald 26 Trigger; Skimz SM203; Vectra M1; GeoCR612; MasterFlex 7523-60; Digital CO2Reg; Current Tank Info: 93g Reef (Mixed, mostly SPS)

04/01/2014, 04:00 PM	#89
RasBobre Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Carnelian Bay, CA. Posts: 804	I'm still in business with many of the same clients as 10 years ago. Of course 10 years ago I thought that I'd have a fleet of service vehicles by now and I would be on the beaches of Hawaii. But I'm happy with my decision to go into self employment. My clients respect me and my local business community does too. __________________ Be not a dread. For the word Ras portrays righteousness and the word dread means viciousness. Pablo Moses; Revolutionary Dream - 1975

04/06/2014, 06:09 AM	#90
daytonareefing Moved On Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Port Orange FL Posts: 158	Can you tell me who is farming corals in Florida. You said you know someone doing it in a green house. Thank you Good luck with the business I always wanted to do it myself but I can't so I hope it works out for you.