New LFS in Corpus??

[glennr1978]

My wife was driving in the Weber / Saratoga area today and said she saw a sign for a new fish store. She didn't remember the exact name, but said it was definitely a fish store. Do any of you Corpus people know anything about it? I plan on driving out that way myself tomorrow to take a look, I'll report back.

[SoLiD]

My wife was driving in the Weber / Saratoga area today and said she saw a sign for a new fish store. She didn't remember the exact name, but said it was definitely a fish store. Do any of you Corpus people know anything about it? I plan on driving out that way myself tomorrow to take a look, I'll report back.

Dude. Are you serious. Let us know.

[DrMark]

Will check in next couple of hours, just need to get out of the **** operating room. Work interferes so much............

[RayAllen]

Will check in next couple of hours, just need to get out of the **** operating room. Work interferes so much............

Love the devotion! Hope you Corpus guys get a new store.

[ErikH]

One of the members here was taking about opening a store remember? ReefONE? maybe? I'll see if I can dig up the thread.

[SoLiD]

Yeah. His name is Ram (ReefOne). Well, He Vanished. He still has some of my stuff and is no where to be found. He moved from the house he was renting & his cell goes straight to voice mail. Oh well.

[SoLiD]

Work interferes so much............

My Sentiments Exactly... :lmao2:

[ErikH]

It's in the Saratoga area? That is where he was proposing to setup. Could be him!

[DrMark]

I found it. Saratoga just west of weber, new little shopping center.
Just a sign up, "Aquarium Masters".
Looks like just getting started building out the space.
This town needs one bad. Customer service at the other place leaves a lot to be desired.
mark

[glennr1978]

Yeah I saw it today too. We definitely need to have a CHOICE here in Corpus. Maybe these new guys will help level the playing field. I'm burnt out to say the least with our LFS as it is.

[SoLiD]

Competition could be a good driving factor for both establishments. It would be great if they both try to out do the other. Competition can make Good people GREAT; if they just step up to the plate and try harder.

-David

[Jonthefishguy]

As you all know there has been great discussion about a supposed new aquarium store being setup in corpus on saratoga. Let me break down what I have just come back from seeing.

First: About 7 weeks ago I had a conversation with the owner and found his belief on a few things questionable. Not to say that what he is saying is completely unheard of but still does not work for everyone.

He mentioned that he doesnt use protein skimmers as he believes that if fish are fed with nutritious food, no proteins will be in the tank and therefore no need to use one. Well, that is completely debatable.

Secondly, he mentioned that he doesnt believe in water changes. I cannot remember if he meant FREQUENT or NOT AT ALL but regardless that too is debatable. He did mention in our 10 minute conversation that he would be open in about a month which has long come and gone and still looks as dissorganized as it did then. For the past couple of weeks I have taken it upon myself to pass by and follow the progress of the store as the paper on the windows are down. This is what I saw.

There are about 6 to 7 what looks to be 75 gallon tanks setup throught the store. All seem to have livestock in them running which mostly consist of damsels, angels, and foxface. There is 1 or 2 aquariums with coral and inverts in them however they too also have fish in them. There are no PC's, MH, or VHO on any of these systems. In fact, the light on all the systems are the standard florescent lighting that comes with a complete out of the box system. Probably 18 or 24 watt....MAYBE 32 but thats a stretch.

All aquariums as I said, since he doesnt believe in the use of them..have no protein skimmers and the filters are not wet/drys but what look to be Marineland Emperor 400's which are just typical for a standard freshwater aquarium but certainly not efficient to handle the bioload of aquariums meant to be stocked with items for sale on a weekly basis. The amount of waste given off from what he has at the moment has probably already maxed out its ability to keep up. Unless he intends to perform continous water changes on his systems and keep the water parameters in check, this wont work and if it does, will eventually backfire.

He mainly carries ALL GLASS AQUARIUMS and all the supplies seem to be from the same company. I looked at the top of the ceiling to see if there were any work being done to hang lighting for a coral or invert system and not only found no sign, but found not one PC, MH, or VHO light anywhere in there.

There is a partition in the back part of the store which may be for storage of extra inventory or maybe other aquariums. Who knows! Also, the sign does say aquarium store/insurance company. So obviously there are 2 companies running out of the same address. hmmmmm!!!
This personally tells me he is not too confident in one of his companies that he is using the other to fall back on. But thats just my opinion, take it however you wish.

I will not make my final judgement on this establishment as I have not walked into that store and been a customer and picked his brain for the extent of his knowledge in this field. I can handle a messy place now as it is still in progress and understand earth wasnt created in a day so why should he. But from what I have seen, it does raise some red flags. But thats just me...............

If I were a customer I would ask to have their pH and Nitrates tested in front of you so that you are rest assured that they have been in at least good water quality and then go from there. Yes competiton is good and I welcome it. However, I feel I am more of a competitor to him than he is to me as my product and reputation speaks for itself.

[DrMark]

There is a great opportunity in this town to be the premier store for a 130 mile radius (semicircle, I guess is more accurate). There is a great deal of importance in having a storefront for many reasons, but incredible time involvement to make it succeesful. Anything I do I do 100% to the best of my ability. I hope he does the same and that I will not be diaappointed. Although, not promoting it here before opening, is unwise and Jon's post above is not encouraging. As long as he stocks DTs and Reef nutrition products I would be happy, but i am not optimistic about even that.
mark

[SoLiD]

...... WTH :confused:, I will make my judgments when it opens... if it ever does.

[decemberx]

The name of the store seems really familiar. I bet it's the same guy that runs a store down here in Pharr/Edinburg. He's pretty much the only saltwater store in the RGV area (minus Petland and Petco which are extremely limited and really hit-or-miss.)

The owner apparently worked at the Texas State Aquarium and like Jon said he doesn't believe in protein skimmers for one. Two, again a point Jon made, the only tank in his store down here that has anything other than the NO lighting is a heavily stocked reef tank and I think that has a Current USA T5 fixture over it. That tank was also COVERED in hair algae.

They seem to be on the extreme of the hobbyist end of the spectrum and tend to take a hands-off approach to the tanks. I didn't see any test kits the one time I went to the store down here. Oh and re: water changes I believe he said they did them once or twice a year and just topped off with RO water.

[SoLiD]

That is just ridiculous. I hope it isn't that guy. Once again I will make my conclusion once I visit the store.

[Jonthefishguy]

It is that guy. He has a store in the Mcallen area or something. Thats where I got his number and called. He has a store in the valley. Sorry Guys..... Hey but its not like you just have TFH. What am I, chopped liver?

[DrMark]

I received a nice email from Eric, owner of Aquarium Masters. He does own a store in Edinburg as Jon noted. I will likely meet with him end of next week and see for myself what he and his store is like.
Some people will agree with his practices and many will not, if true about protein skimming and water changes, I will not.

As we all know, there are many ways to crack an egg, and even more opinions. At the minimum, he is someone that has some experience and is bringing a store to Corpus. I am going to wait and see and hope for the best. like I said before, if he carrys DTs and Reef Nutrition stuff I will be happy.
mark


That is just ridiculous. I hope it isn't that guy.

[Jonthefishguy]

Mark, I carry DT's. The phyto and the oyster eggs.

[DrMark]

Jon
Not chopped liver.
I have seen your tanks and your up and coming "fish room".
I know you are passionate and are doing your best to grow your business. But, there is something about a store front that Corpus needs. A place where people can meet, not even to buy. A place that has business hours where you can drop in anytime.
I know what it is like to own a store (not a LFS) and have to work it and run it.
I built and opened and ran the first 2 years "Keva Juice" ot Saratoga and Staples. It was a lot of work, employees mostly sucked. Made minimal to no money. I sold it at a $100K loss and decided to stick with my day job. Same with my wife.
So, Jon, I understand why you didnt open a store...........just wish you did!!
mark


It is that guy. He has a store in the Mcallen area or something. Thats where I got his number and called. He has a store in the valley. Sorry Guys..... Hey but its not like you just have TFH. What am I, chopped liver?

[DrMark]

Mark, I carry DT's. The phyto and the oyster eggs.

Didnt know you did, didnt see it on the web site.
You stock it?
How much for the big phytoplankton and the small oyster eggs?
How about Reef nutrition products?
mark