One thing that I would suggest is making everything run by sponge filter and central air. It would be SO much easier to maintain than 50 separate powered filters. Barebottom with blue backs and bottoms would be the way to go as it provides: (1) SUPER easy maintenance, (2) A nice clean and uniform look, (3) The ability to show customers a clean tank without having to break your back over it.
Lights can be shop lights but good lighting is a must because I personally don't wanna buy a fish that looks dull and is hard to see. There is a fish shop here locally with bright enough lighting in the tanks that the lights are not on in the store and it is plenty light.
A drip system would be worth it too. Even though you would still have to vacuum to remove poo, a drip system would allow you to never have to worry about water quality.
Really, planning makes perfect. Start with the fish that EVERY store has, neons, cardinals, angelfish, goldfish, fancy goldfish, guppies, danios, etc. Then get some of the less common fish, Australian rainbows, african cichlids, parrot fish, etc. Make sure that you stock a wide variety of feeders, including shrimps, goldfish, minnows, etc. If you stock more monster like fish (oscars, catfish, etc) then you should make sure that your employees do not sell them without your personal approval because, though you would make more money, you would become another one of those stores who doesn't care about the fish.
As far as equipment, marineland, cascade, fluval, tetra, and eheim are the filters you would want to stock. Try to have a wide variety of canisters/HOBS/etc. Then I would suggest azoo sponge filters. Light fixtures and tank lids are something you should consider including if you wanna sell whole aquarium sets (light, filter, stand, cover, tank). Tanks and stands are a must, even if you only go up to 30-55 gallons at the beginning.
Last thing is that if you sell bettas, make sure to require 2-3 gallons of space before you sell them. I hate the mistreatment of bettas in bowls and vases. Consider, instead of those cheapie betta drinking glasses (which they somehow call cups, even though many hold like half a gallon), selling a betta kit with some gravel, a 2.5 gallon tank with lid, and small azoo palm filter. Maybe a small light and some betta food.
Personally, if I could get my LFS to become the one I described, I would shop there much more often.
(oh and bottled drinks for sale would be a nice touch)
Lights can be shop lights but good lighting is a must because I personally don't wanna buy a fish that looks dull and is hard to see. There is a fish shop here locally with bright enough lighting in the tanks that the lights are not on in the store and it is plenty light.
A drip system would be worth it too. Even though you would still have to vacuum to remove poo, a drip system would allow you to never have to worry about water quality.
Really, planning makes perfect. Start with the fish that EVERY store has, neons, cardinals, angelfish, goldfish, fancy goldfish, guppies, danios, etc. Then get some of the less common fish, Australian rainbows, african cichlids, parrot fish, etc. Make sure that you stock a wide variety of feeders, including shrimps, goldfish, minnows, etc. If you stock more monster like fish (oscars, catfish, etc) then you should make sure that your employees do not sell them without your personal approval because, though you would make more money, you would become another one of those stores who doesn't care about the fish.
As far as equipment, marineland, cascade, fluval, tetra, and eheim are the filters you would want to stock. Try to have a wide variety of canisters/HOBS/etc. Then I would suggest azoo sponge filters. Light fixtures and tank lids are something you should consider including if you wanna sell whole aquarium sets (light, filter, stand, cover, tank). Tanks and stands are a must, even if you only go up to 30-55 gallons at the beginning.
Last thing is that if you sell bettas, make sure to require 2-3 gallons of space before you sell them. I hate the mistreatment of bettas in bowls and vases. Consider, instead of those cheapie betta drinking glasses (which they somehow call cups, even though many hold like half a gallon), selling a betta kit with some gravel, a 2.5 gallon tank with lid, and small azoo palm filter. Maybe a small light and some betta food.
Personally, if I could get my LFS to become the one I described, I would shop there much more often.
(oh and bottled drinks for sale would be a nice touch)
