Top Items every LFS should Stock

[Josh@BVA]

Looking to open a LFS in my area soon. I know what my top items are but curious what others find to be their Must have items for any LFS to regularly stock. There have deffinatly been places I ask for one product and it is a special order or just not available and other stores that have a entire wall of the same product. wondering when you enter a new LFS what are some items you expect to be on the shelves / in tanks and maybe something that you wish your LFS stocked regularly

 

[Ron Reefman]

Good luck, it's a tough business. We have them come and go all the time around here.

 

[ca1ore]

Confess that I don't buy anything from LFS anymore. Was trending that way before, but CV19 was the final straw for me. Both of the surviving places near me have endured because they do tank maintenance/servicing.

 

[fishlover1478]

I can't vote more than five things

is your lfs going to be mixed or just saltwater/small amounts of FW stuff
I saw bettas on the list so I'm assuming mixed

don't do expensive stuff like canister filters unless its part of a tank kit
definitely do frozen/live food.
and filter media and other cheap stuff that is still good quality.
ro water and premixed saltwater yes.

on youtube search "aquarium co op owning a fish store"

 

[AnotherReefHobbyist]

I find petco is fine for most of my basic dry goods and meds and stuff, and even some more common fish and coral. However I go to my lfs for higher quality things, for example my petco has basic salt that will work, but if I want some red sea or tropic marine, I go to my lfs. My petco has cheaper kenya trees, but If I want an expensive torch, even though they may be at petco, I go to my lfs, because I know they take better care of their livestock.

I would worry less about the super cheapo things, because there are a million places to get those, but stock higher quality things, especially if you are the only place to get those things locally.

 

[Nick Steele]

I would say be mindful of your customers. If someone comes in looking for something try and fulfill it. I’ve been looking for a tailspot blenny for a few months asked one store and he said they would keep an eye out but never anything so I asked another store and next week they had 10 tailspots in the store and I got a call.

Also I’ve tried to go into one of my local lfs and support them over ordering from BRS for stuff like Hannah reagents and lights but they didn’t have any of that stuff and wish they did but they are a small shop that focuses more on corals then anything else

 

[Bdoncford]

This sounds silly but make sure you always have a good stock of clean up crew type fish and snails. I swear every lfs I go to never has any in stock and I refuse to pay $30-40 shipping for snails.