Good impression at Fin Addict

[cvonseggern]

Deb and I stopped in there tonight with the kids, just to see what they've got. The store is small and doesn't have as wide a stock variety as we've seen at AW sometimes, but everything we saw looked really good. Chatted with the owner a little bit (he was pretty busy) and looked over the store. We were pretty favorably impressed. The store is clean, the livestock we saw was healthy, and it's obvious they're really trying to make the store someplace you'd want to come back to. The #1 thing we were impressed with, though, was the owner (didn't get his name...I know a bunch of you know him) actually talking a repeat customer out of buying more livestock because he felt he was pushing the limit on a new-ish tank. Having heard all the horror stories, this really got our attention. We'll be back, and soon.

[Triggerman]

i decided to go take a look at the store as well. the owner is doing a good job in getting the place going and keeping it clean. they did have some corals and fish in stock (a few rose anemones if your looking), and will be getting more next week. majority of the livestock was in good health, refugiums used throughout the store. he has alot of different macro algaes and mangroves for sale and cultivating, along with coral propagation in the works. diffently a place to go check out.

ray

[GaryP]

Larry (Instar) and I just got back from there. If nothing else, the 200 gal. full of VERY healthy Moorish Idols is worth checking out. Felipe, the owner said thay have actually grown in the week he has had them. I've seen them feed at least 3 times so I know they are eating. If an LFS can keep Idols alive and growing, he's got my attention and respect. He's got 2 more Idols on the way. I truly think this could turn into a great LFS with our support. I would highly recommend that everyone at least check it out. They are getting started on a shoestring budget but have a lot of plans for growth and expansion. From what they have told me, they plan on specializing in a few things that are unique, especially in regards to corals. They also bought the old hex from Sales and Service as a show tank that is pretty impressive. Felope wants to do custom tanks as well. He's got a couple of triangular Nanos that are pretty cool.

I got the address and hours and I'll ask Joshua to post them on the vendor page. For those of you looking for it in the meantime, its at 13327 Nacogdoches, next to Tom's Ribs, in a small strip center sort of tucked in behind a Citgo station. Hours are Tue-Sat. 2:00-9:00, Sun. 12:00-6:00.

Gary

[kjswift]

whats the phone #?

[don-n-sa]

I also was impressed with his set up...oh and his wife helps too

they are very nice people who are willing to talk about various reefkeeping topics and seem to enjoy it.

they use the jaubert system (plenum) on most of the tanks, it will be interesting to see these tanks flourish with this type of filtration

I really like the use of the different macros combined with mangroves and a different kind of biomedia that I have not seen or read about before

those moorish idols look great, I hope to see them do well

another thing that I like about him is that he trades macros with you...thats really cool!

I really want this guy to do well, hopefully we can support him enough so he can stick around for a while. where else can you go to a place that does salwater tanks exclusively and not only likes to talk about the hobby but almost encourages peole to hang around the store and share info...he has a couch in front of the IDOL tank

well I guess this is long enough...everyone check this place out!!!

[GaryP]

Sorry about that folks.

The phone number is 210-656-FISH (3474)

Gary

[wkopplin]

Get him on here to post sometimes.

[dow]

Beth and I went by there this afternoon. Met GaryP (Hi Gary), and had a very nice chat with Filipe and Sarah Flores, the owners. They're really nice people, and they have some great tanks going. Felipe said that he'd been getting the store ready for a year before he was prepared to open it. I guess he wanted to make sure that everythig was in good shape before he opened. As an aside, he build many of his display tanks himself, andthey look pretty good. No extras like trim around the bottom or top, but his silicone beads are VERY clean, and he certainly used heavy enough glass (3/8"). I've visited with him about building a tank for me, and he's supposed to have some information for me on Monday. FYI, this is a tank with a Calfo style overflow, and nobody seems to understand what I want. Anyway, here's a diagram of what I'm asking him to build. We'll see what he comes up with. Anyway, here's a diagram of what I'm asking, if anybody's interested.

[wkopplin]

I went in today to check things out and liked the store. Felipe knew his stuff. He had some nice corals and livestock. I ended up getting a couple of things from him. He is still working on his filtration, but the tanks looked great. He has some very nice RBTA's and quite a few nice leathers. I will continue to check out his stock and see what he has.

[GaryP]

Felipe doesn't own a computer. He wasn't aware of MAAST until I mentioned it to him when I first visited with him back in May or June.
He told me that he thought most of his traffic so far was coming from MAAST and was very appreciative of our support. I mentioned sponsorship and he was interested. He's tight on money now but I think he would be open to donation of livestock in lieu of a cash donation. I guess whoever handles that on the BOD needs to go talk to him. He was also open to the idea of hosting a meeting. I explained that we were booked up for the next few months but that I would mention it to the folks that handle bookings.

Gary

[GaryP]

Felipe asked me to mention to the MAAST membership that he will happily accept any special order requests.
Any special orders will qualify for their Tuesday discounts.

Gary