TheNanoReef

in the future, if you guys want to do group buys please contact a shop. some of us (myself included) would be happy to do that

I can do it here if needed. just send me the info for who i would need to contact. I would want someone else to be responsible for the collecting and org but i would be happy to be the middleman and get you good pricing. all i ask is to be able to borrow one from time to time (i cant afford one of these for the shop right now)

If you can i would recommend a different approach. french drains have to be approved through the EPA (legally) and the process of approval can be time consuming, and makes everything expensive.

They have me in a holding pattern while they work out pricing, packages, and shipping.

Thanks to all the shops out there. It is great to work with a group of customer oriented shops. I needed something for one of my customers and didn't have it so i called around and one of you was able to help them. I really do appreciate the help!

This is not the first time and will not be the last. Thanks for making the Portland reef shop community the greatest!

I just had a chat with the owner out there. they are still getting everything up and going so it may still be a bit. but the quality of the product sounds much better that current glass tanks. they are designing their saltwater system specifically for saltwater. meaning larger stands to accommodate a larger sump with a refugium and a 5-8 gallon top-off system and all the other equipment. it really sounds like a good deal. the current issue is the cost of shipping so they are working on that.

so, not to hijack, but what are you looking for in a tank setup when you make your initial purchase? (more market research)

Looking good, shouldn't take too long. R3, let me know what you want so i can work on price comparison and shipping info.

Ok, so i am working on your suggestions. for the most part i will let my shop do the talking and simply ask you to please provide feedback, good or bad. i want to make sure my clients are happy. Here is a quick start for one of the items i needed to post.

http://www.pnwmas.org/forums/showthread.php?t=19744

Yes the group buy is still open. taking payment now for order in the next 30-45 days.

Looking into reseller info.

I appreciate the feedback. I try to always keep a good attitude about the competition. and most of them have been kind to me. I came from a marketing background and i am fully aware about the dangers of bashing ones competition.

in a way i am proud of the shops here in Portland. I think the only other place in the USA with this much variety is in so. cali. i had a friend come up from Denver Colorado and he has to drive an hour to get to the closest shop.

I do appreciate the kind words, as well as the advice. i think it is so important to do research on what the customers want. Most of my business actually comes from non-club people from craigslist so i normally don't have a chance to do research.

As far as the extra setups and displaying stuff... my shop is tiny so i dont have much room to display (or money right now). but if you come into my shop i am always glad to open the doors and curtains and show people the methods we use. i agree it is a great idea. maybe if the accountant next door moves out i will rent that spot for a show room

and to CA2OR- dude, i know where you are coming from. I started my shop from the perspective of a customer. i know how annoying that can be. i recommend taking a day and doing the portland LFS tour and see if things have changed. sometimes saturday can be crazy and it can be hard to help everyone on a personal level but i think we all try, i know i do.

If your upset with the way you were treated somewhere please let them know. I want feedback. if i pissed someone off i want to do my best to make it right. I think any good store would want that opportunity.

Rick- Tanks for teachers, we sell corals on their plugs and help them get the supplies they need. I agree if a shop has a resource they can use they should do it. I think there are other shops that help TFT as well.

The only perc I see to local vs online is local I can see item in person....but online selection is WAY bigger...and often times cheaper too....guess that's why I shop online...well that and the attitudes I have received at LFS's or being ignored. It used to be a 50/50 split...then I experienced the attitudes of LFS's annd now it's more like 97% online and local for emergencies....

In my experiences as a business owner I realized that businesses don't steal customers from other businesses.....businesses simply give them away to competition

 

I simply do not agree with some of the cons you have listed for online.....there are places online that give 2 even 3 times as long of a warrenty or "live guarantee"

 

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Have you been treated this way at all the shops? I personally try say hi to everyone who comes in and offer help, even when i am stacked with people. It is hard to believe that you got this at every shop?

you make a good point Algae, when i was trying to train my wife she was always worried about what to do when she doesn't know the answer to a customers question. she felt like she would look stupid or the customer would get upset if she didn't know the answer. I keep telling her that "I don't know, but lets look it up online" is a perfectly acceptable answer. I would like the meet the person that actually knows everything, half the time i have trouble identifying new fish and corals.

I dont charge people for fish, i charge for admission :p

no this law does not apply to OR, because there is little chance that any of the tropical critters released would be able to survive.

the extent of fish and wildlife is to come to the shops once in a while and look for any endangered or prohibited critters.

relax all. this is not a problem. FL also has that law because they want to make money on sales tax, yet another non-issue here.

Sharks and rays are VERY VERY dirty fish. they actually excrete ammonia in quantity from their skin (which is why most shark is inedible). you need a 300-500 gallon tank minimum but your filtration needs to be suited for more like 1000 gallons if you want to keep up with a larger shark or ray.

LMAO, um, i got a damsel or two you can have, big ones. just keep an eye on your kids or they may dissappear.

or you can have the pearlfish if you want it. i want it out of the shop.

Thanks for the gifts man, hope that Crosshatch is doing well.

I you ever get a chance to do business with Calvin you will be glad. Awesome guy!

In the end i don't worry about content, i only sell water if it is 0 TDS which means nothing but H2O. I would expect most of the other shops are running the same. I checked Woody's water at seahorse about a month ago and he is running 0 too.

i would recommend Newegg.com or enu in hillsboro (enuinc.com)

I would check your cd/DVD rom, it may have a short in it. otherwise i would be willing to bet you have a short somewhere between the motherboard and the case. vacuum that thing out and try again.

Let me know if you want me to get one in for you. I can get you a price beforehand.

Keep me in mind if you frag the elephant skin as well. The tank is looking awesome! thanks for the pics!

We sell TFT frag plugs at The Nano Reef as well.

Multicraft is a playground for acrylic enthusiasts. they have an awesome closeout section. Yes we have the black stuff in stock.

i have them in stock too.