Starting a online coral/fish business

[Albertan_Reef]

Before I get started I’ve done my research on permits, licence, insurance, CITES and the such.


I want to start a home based online retail business, specializing in fish and corals. I’ve made a few posts on my local forums and for where I live and the distance to any LFS (closest is an hour away and ridden with aptasia and bubble algae) and the rest are 2-3 hours away. There’s quite a few members in my area who drive 2-3 hours and would like to have something closer.

My plan is to set up 3 80 gallon frag tanks, and 4-5 fish tanks. The frags would be ok there own system and then 2 separate systems for fish.

I’d be doing this on the side of my current job, so if it doesn’t work out I’m not back where I am. I’m not looking to make much of anything from the corals, if I can help with my personal tanks, and help others with out the drive that’s all I care about.

My biggest concern, how do I find a reliable exporter from Indo or other places where our fish and coral come from? I know asking an LFS or anyone else in the business won’t give me an answer since I’d be taking there business. So how does one find a reliable source. I know I’ll only get a few select nice corals and fish amongst a bunch of browned out stuff, and I’m ok with that.

 

[Bob Weigant]

Ive seen many people come and go over the years. Very tuff business

 

[Albertan_Reef]

I agree it’ll be tough, money’s not really an issue, and atleast I can say I tried if it failed. I have a good full time job as is, so I wouldn’t be stuck in a hard place if it didn’t work out.

 

[JaimeAdams]

First off, no one is going to be willing to talk to you until you have an EIN number and state corporation/business license depending on your state and proper permits also dependent on your state. After you are actually a legit legal business a few wholesalers will be willing to talk to you, but most will not. Most places will not sell to businesses that do not have a commercial retail location. The application usually wants to be able to find you on google maps or other local business searches. They also usually want 3 industry references i.e. other wholesalers that have sold to you which can be tricky starting out. Without an actual brick and mortar store most places won't be willing to deal with you. There are tons of basement/garage hobbyists with a couple frag tanks that have the same thoughts that you are having. Most fail, but I guess some of them work out.

 

[Fishfinder]

This is 100% truth. 99% will not sell to you with out a store front

 

[Albertan_Reef]

The reason i figured I could do it out of my basement is one of the stores that’s 3 hours away is out of his garage and he’s bringing in Indo stuff all the time

 

[14 foot reef]

Where are you located ?

 

[Albertan_Reef]

So what if I were to rent space off a family members wearhouse. Technically it’d be store front location

 

[Albertan_Reef]

Where are you located ?

Alberta Canada between Calgary and Edmonton

 

[JaimeAdams]

I have no idea about what you need or who the wholesalers in Canada are. I could tell you a couple that would sell to you in the US (granted at inflated rates), but no idea about up north. "Renting out" a space in your family's warehouse, with a store front and a sign out front and having it listed on a map would get you further than not at least in the US.

 

[Fishfinder]

Yes I like the warehouse idea. You need to find some wholesalers that will ship fish to you. Idk if US wholesalers will or not. But with a EIN and storefront you are in business

 

[Bugger]

Its a nightmare. First you have to keep up the tanks and all the equipment that goes with it. Cost 100 000 then you deal with all the die offs stuff dies in transit all the time. Then you deal with the fact that coral does not sell at all in Canada. Go to fragbox or bigshow frags they have the same stock for months little sells at all. Then add the fact that corals reefs all around the world are threatened by global warming and are destined to die by 2050 its not viable theres no future in it. Just keep a tank for yourself and support you locals as much as I like the idea of you selling corals to me

 

[Albertan_Reef]

Its a nightmare. First you have to keep up the tanks and all the equipment that goes with it. Cost 100 000 then you deal with all the die offs stuff dies in transit all the time. Then you deal with the fact that coral does not sell at all in Canada. Go to fragbox or bigshow frags they have the same stock for months little sells at all. Then add the fact that corals reefs all around the world are threatened by global warming and are destined to die by 2050 its not viable theres no future in it. Just keep a tank for yourself and support you locals as much as I like the idea of you selling corals to me

I don’t think that statements true about corals not selling in canada. A few of the stores go threw coral pretty fast in Calgary. But again that’s a 3 hour drive.

My idea isn’t to make an income, as I’d be keeping my current job, my idea is to be able to offer something closer to people then driving 1-3 hours to maybe get something. People like the idea of being able to see what there buying. That may be why fragbox doesn’t sell a lot of corals, but again I think that’s another misinformed fact, there one of the largest retailers in Canada.

$100,000 ? Where did you get that number from? I’m literally looking to start 300+/- gallons of frag tanks and maybe 200 gallons of fish stocking tanks. With “renting” part of the warehouse for the low cost of $0 , I’d save money there. 80 gallon frag tanks cost $200 each.

I wasn’t really looking for I for about the cost as I’ve sat and added up all the equipment cost already . It was more so how to go about finding a wholesaler, and I got that answer with a few comments on here.

 

[amazongb]

Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do something.. iirc Jason Fox works in his basement..

 

[Albertan_Reef]

Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t do something.. iirc Jason Fox works in his basement..

Some of the best coral and fish come from peoples basement. And they all import there corals from some where.

 

[Bugger]

I dident tell him he cant do it. Im just being realistic

 

[Fishfinder]

If you can get US wholesalers to ship to canada there is a big list

 

[Servillius]

Alberta Canada between Calgary and Edmonton

I travel to Calgary fairly regularly and based on what I’ve seen, a great fish and coral retailer has a shot.

That said, all the stuff about it being really difficult is true. 20 years ago I had no trouble getting fish shipped in. Just found their catalogs and called. The easy access of the internet probably means they’re more careful.

Good luck!

 

[Albertan_Reef]

If you can get US wholesalers to ship to canada there is a big list

Mind if I message you?

 

[Servillius]

"Then add the fact that corals reefs all around the world are threatened by global warming and are destined to die by 2050 its not viable theres no future in it"

WOW ........
Say hello to Al Gore next time you see him.
Yikes some one is drinking the Koolaid

I’m happy to bet anyone that wants it my $1000 vs. the nicest frag on the market in 2050 that there will be lots of stuff on the market in 2050.