I need help.

[fishy_fish]

Hello to all reefers and hobbyist of this forum i need help on various things i have questions on some areas. Im thinking on opening a Salt water aquarium i have the place checked i have all the the desings on how to build the store the tanks etc. Im no competing with anyone in my area because theres no reef aquariums for hobbyist in the area and we have to travel long distances to the nearby store. My questions are how to get in contact with good whole seller for fish, corals and equipment. I know many people dont want to share their sellers because of the competition. Im from Puerto Rico i like this hobby and i want to make a business on what i like because i have fun with it and meet more good people. Sorry if the post its in the wrong place and i give my thanks to all of you for reading and helping have a good day sorry for my english :wink:.

 

[ReeferBob]

Most stores like you describe will fold inside of 6 months. You best have a lot of money or free rent. Also plan on working very long hours. But I'd say in Puerto Rico, if you have a market for it, your fish could possiby be bought locally. But being an Island, everything you get has to be shipped in. Aquariums, supplies, fixtures, everything. If you are serious about it, contact some local dive clubs or divers and see about catching your stock locally. I do not know the laws there and have no idea if this is even legal. But if it is, that would be a boon for you. If not, I can't imagine many wholesellers that would be willing to ship to PR.

 

[spspirate]

Man I wish I was in warm sunny tropical Puerto Rico right now. Good luck on your endeavors!!

 

[reefsandrotts]

If you have a local airport you should have no problem getting livestock or drygoods.
alot of times if you dont have a local distibutor for drygoods the manufacturer will beal directly with you,as for livestock youll just have to do alot of web research
and your right theres not too many people that will give up their suppliers.

 

[fragmatic]

Kool, ....have you checked around to see if there are many possible customers?
That would be a great place to have some really good fish. You could use REAL lightly filtered sea water. The only thing I wonder about if many of your customers would get their own coral and other live animals from the sea or on the sneak. This may make it hard to bring in an income. I see no reason you can't contact the major continental USA equipment manufactures by e-mail and find out which of them is willing to ship to you as a vendor if you pay the shipping fees. I would think your best customer base may be to furnish tanks and live stock and a maintenance program for wealthy customers, high end hotels, restaurants, and sports bars.

 

[fishy_fish]

Thanks guys for the help... I dont mind working long hours thats because its going to be my business and i love the hobby. I know people who catch fish for the hobby those fishes go to whole sellers in the us then shipped back here to the island for selling lol. I would like to know sellers who ships to P.R. good coral and fish. Thanks again fot the help SPSPIRATE its getting hot here in the island nice weather come visit sometime.

 

[fishy_fish]

Fragmatic Thanks in the area i am i know lots of people who needs to travel long distances to get their livestock im one of them thats why im very pumped. Theres no reef store in the area just fresh water ones and they have lots of costumers. Im in the studying proces of the business thats why im asking for advice. Therenot too many people that will give up their suppliers thats why if someone can help me there would be gratefull thaks for reading the post and helping.

 

[fragmatic]

You may need to contact some of the vendors on here in private e-mails. They can't give out suppliers on here because it is read by their competitors. So, you see? They may be able to gain back from some of the contacts you may have for legal live fish and coral. Also, contact the customs people and get the real scoop on what you can and can not ship and how. If you could get that kind of information and have it for trade I bet you would suddenly have lots of response. If I am not mistaken (forgive my ignorance) you are considered as an American territory so it shouldn't be too hard. ........ am I right on that?......