Questions & Answers
What is your favorite thing about working at Aquarium Co-Op?
The best thing about working at Aquarium Co-Op is being part of an amazing team that helps enrich the hobby that I enjoy so much. I enjoy working for a company that is always looking to improve.
What has been your best moment while working for Aquarium Co-Op?
Everyday here is almost surreal. Fish help to keep me grounded and centered. There has yet to be a better feeling than when I received a message telling me to keep an eye out for my employment offer. The "me" from a year ago wouldn't believe that I am here, running this incredible store and leading such an amazing group of individuals.
What do you do in your daily job at Aquarium Co-Op?
As the store manager for the retail store, I oversee the day-to-day operations. This includes monitoring the health of all of the livestock, feeding, overseeing tank maintenance, ordering fish, plants, and other live goods. All of this cannot be accomplished by one person. I have a tremendous support team beside me at every step.
What is your favorite fish and why?
My favorite fish are live bearers, specifically guppies. They were the first fish I kept and bred. I get such joy from watching them interact with me and each other. I always enjoy seeing which traits the fry end up displaying from their parents.
What would your dream aquarium be?
I would really like to setup a South American tanks, as some of my favorite fish are from South America. The tank would include angelfish, ram cichlids, apistogramma species, and plecos (I would especially like to have Sultan and Blue Panaques plecos).
What is your current favorite aquarium at home?
- Type of tank: 65 gallon (Aquarium Masters with black silicone)
- How long has it been set up? Several months
- Fish stocking list: guppies, corydoras (Panda, Sterbai, Longfin bronze), Kuhli loaches, Hillstream loaches, a pair of L264 Sultan plecos, and a colony of Cherry shrimp.
- Biggest goal or challenge with this aquarium? I don't have a goal at the moment for this tank. I just want to enjoy the fish and see them thrive.
What products do you highly recommend?
I cannot recommend our Magic Small Fish Feed enough. I have raised guppy, molly, apisto, and goodied fry on it. I have fed fish as big as full-size angelfish. It is also a great food for shrimp. If I had to pick one fish food to keep, Magic Small Fish Feed would be it.
Top 5 Tips for Hobbyists
- Patience - All good things come in time. Rushing things in this hobby usally ends up making more work in the long run.
- Always go with a bigger aquarium. I have never had an aquarium that I wished I had gone with a smaller size.
- Go heavy on your substrate. I fought way too long with plants because I did not have enough substrate. If you are ever questioning if you have enough...add a little more.
- If you are indecisive, go with epiphyte plants like anubias, bolbitis, buce, and Java fern. You can move them around your aquarium with ease.
- Don't be afraid to talk to fellow hobbysists. Most of us love to answer questions and help you with your fishkeeping journey.
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