ReefersChoice LFS Store Status Log

[druluv]

ReefersChoice is expanding its business from online, to aquarium set-up & maintenance service, and now to a LFS! Because of the surge of online livestock and drygood companies, many LFS have to change their business model. In order to keep overhead low, we first want to offer only saltwater related products, and we also want to open our doors only on Fridays Evenings and on the weekends. ReefersChoice will have one of the largest selection of soft and hard corals within New York. We will even have a $20 coral display for our frugal reefer friends. In addition to corals, we will have every flavor of live rock you can imagine; you will also be able to stock up your dry-goods and order new tank set-ups.

So stay tune for more details and opening!
Why Pay More?
Happy Reefing

 

[bergerd]

Great!

I work in Brooklyn, so I am looking forward to where and when.

 

[scarf_ace1981]

yeah dru. where is it gonna be?

 

[druluv]

Its going to be in Brooklyn on ave D between Utica and 51 st. That should be easy for you. Just hop on the 4 train to the last stop, then take the B46 down to Ave D; it is 1/2 block from Utica. I'm in the process of getting a sign done for the store front. Hope I see you there when we open.

 

[charile1]

Becareful the last stop on some 4 trains is New Lots.

 

[amethyst212]

is the store open yet

 

[bergerd]

Same question

Open yet? Need work diversion!

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Last Online: 08-30-2006 at 11:23 AM

call the number on the website see if he can answer there.

 

[druluv]

The store is coming along, we just started putting display tanks up. I'm still debating on how I'm going to the filtration, and lighting. In my area of Brooklyn, stores don't do the same business as before. So I have to be careful of the equipment I choose. Stay tune for some pics and frugal reefer display! I'm going to have some nice giveways too! i.e free buckets of Instant Ocean Salt, Buy one get one free deals, etc.

Also look out for the reefers choice Starphire 24" Acro-cube. Everything included to grow SPS!!!!

 

[druluv]

Update:
We have almost finished all of our display tanks. We have 12 - 55 Gallon coral tanks running. We will also have a 180Gal and a 125Gal for corals too. Each tank will be coral family specific. So there will be no soft corals in a lps tank.

As for Filtration,
We decided to go with an ecosystem type filtration. I have had good success with this system, so I want to use it for the store. Each 55 has its own mud system running. This makes it easy to take a tank down if any pest or disease breaks out. I trust no one's corals, so each shipment gets treated with Tropic Marin Procure and SPSs are treated for redbugs. Our water supply is provided by a supersized Kent R.O system, which produces 650 gallons per day.


We chose HO lighting for our soft and lps systems, and Metal Halides for our SPS systems.

The last task before our grand opening, is the entrance way. In order to keep prices down, we had to think about keeping our overhead down. So opening a store in Brooklyn Heights or in Manhattan wouldn't be a good choice. We decided to convert a basement into a Coral Heaven. I would not put a McDonalds there but its a great place to run an aquarium. The rent is much cheaper than running a first floor operation, and this allows us to pass the savings off to you. The problem I had was with the entrance way, I have to fix in a way to make it easier to enter the store. The work is being done now, and should be ready after Christmas; I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[druluv]

Status - The stair-way completion is about 90% done. The stair way is kind of steep, I hope people don’t mind that. So our grand-opening is coming very soon!

With this in mind, we are stocking up with shipments from different regions. So far, we get shipments from Vietnam, Bali/ Indo, The Solomon Islands, Red Sea, Hawaii, and Philippines. If you know of any other locations you would like corals from, let me know; of course they have to be CITES certified. We are working on other ports such as Ghana(Exotic Angels), and Dubai(Exotic Corals). We will also have various micro & macro algae strains (Tang Heaven, Chaetomorpha). We are also excited about finding a supplier for: (pods and adult Aiptasia Eating Nudibranchs.) I brought in some adult Aiptasia Eating Nudibranchs in just to see if they can do the job. I will report my findings on their relevance to this hobby.

Other news, we will have a limited assortment of dry goods. We will carry mostly additives, Bulbs, substrates and nano-equipment. Larger items can be purchased via our website (http://reeferschoice.com) and shipped from our warehouse; there is also free standard shipping from http://reeferschoice.com. I’m meeting with the others guys to get approval for a 10% or 15% discount for Manhattan Reefs; so check out our forum for a status.

By having two different operations and locations, we can dedicate 90% of the space from our Brooklyn location for corals, fish, Plants, and set-ups. This allows us to have super low prices on our livestock and set-ups. We hope our low prices will bring other people into this beloved hobby.

Lastly, Know one at reeferschoice.com can take quality pictures of livestock; we basically suck at it. So we are looking for a photographer that can take pictures of corals and other livestock; please pm me for details if you are interested. Please have a portfolio of your pictures.

Thanks again!

 

[deelucky]

hey dru if you still need a sign (awning) for your shop lmk and we can do something nice.lmk.its my pops company and i just setup there 125 so there is alot to gain for both.