Recent content by dacarlson

For me the exciting thing about owning a business is the ever changing business climate and the challenge of making changes to keep up with the change. Yes the Online’s are here and here to stay. Yes it is harder to make a profit but based on my experience and where my profit centers...

Thanks for the input. Keep me informed on how you progress. I have cut back the lighting some for now. The tank has no micro or diatoms but just the water column filled with something. If I take out water and let set it settles out in clumps and not just a even sedement on the bottom. DAve

I am hoping someone can help with my problem. I recently set up a 135 gal. Tenecor bow front tank with their reef ready package. It included overflow, w/d trickle filter with Berlin PS. I used approx. 150# of Fiji live rock and 4"-5" of coral sand. Lighting is made up with 8 110W VHO bulbs...

:) Just my two cents….. I am always reluctant to post here but here it goes. I have been in this business off and on since 1978 +-. My feeling is whether you are etail, brick & mortar, garage based, basement based, the more the merrier. The more outlets, the more interest is generated in the...

Thanks for the added suggestions. The more I research, the more I feel this is a lost cause. Things have really changed over the last 25 years and I beleive this industry is in for a rough ride in the next 5 years or so. It will be interesting following the events as they unfold. I think the...

You didn't say for what size tank, fish only or reef. I have used them, still have one on a 40 gal long, works ok for the money. If you do a little web surfing you will find ways to improve their performance. It is a good starter skimmer.

Thanks for all the input. I will carefully take the information to heart. I know this is not an industry that makes a lot of profit, but too bad there are so many downers. I guess that explains why all the shops in our area have gone out of business. I really think we still need the lfs to...

For 20 years I have dreamt of the day I would open a SW store. My first saltwater aquarium was set up in 1975. I have completed a business plan, acquired financing, have my live stock venders selected, holding systems designed, and a tentative location selected. I am looking for someone to...

How do you know a home base business is legit? You don't. No more than you know a storefront is legit, unless you fly to their location and see for yourself. In the day of high tech digital equipment I could easily send you a picture of my storefront, tank displays etc. I am always...

:) I post only on occasion but have followed this thread with much interested over the last few months and wanted to give my two cents. As previously stated this has been a topic of debate for years and will always be. I have run a home based business for the past 4 years and here is my take...

:?: I am hoping someone can give me some input on which central filtration systems seem to work the best. I am designing my new store tank systems (1,500 gal. total) and am at a lose at which way to go. Complete commercial systems, Sand, DIY, ???? I am more interested in water quality than I...

Thanks for the suggestions. No I have not tested for copper. I would think that if there was a copper trace it would effect the corals, snails etc. Typical reef friendly fish. Tangs, clowns, algae blennies. I have not used a probe. Might be a possibility. It sure ia a puzzle to...

I have in the last 5 months set up two 125 gal. reef tanks. Live sand substrate, 1.5# of live rock per gallon, protein skimmers, VHO and MH lighting. One tank is mainly fish and the other is more corals than fish. Everything I have added, fish, corals, clams, hermits, and snails are doing...