Recent Articles from Joe Olenik
Space and Stock
Spring is a time when pond and water garden owners start taking stock of what they need for the coming season, and aquatics stores should be ready to accommodate their needs. Gardening and home improvement centers, as well as big box pet stores have realized the value of stocking pond supplies but often lack knowledgeable […]
Fancy Fish
Aquatic retailers are always looking for ways to separate themselves from big box and online vendors and stand out in the crowd. If you don’t already feature ornamental goldfish as part of your livestock inventory, now is the time to start! Orandas, ryukins, lionheads, telescope eyes, pearlscales, bubble eyes and other varieties of top quality […]
Prepare the Pond
With the holiday season in the rear view mirror, many businesses hunker down for the winter doldrums—but that doesn’t mean you should. Winter is prime time for aquarium activity, especially in northern regions, but it’s also time to help your customers get their ponds in order and get your staff excited for warmer days ahead. […]
Keep it Clean and Clear
Today’s aquarium owners are busy people. These hobbyists have a lot going on in their lives, and cleaning the aquarium may not be at the top of their “To Do” list. But maintaining a healthy, vibrant aquarium doesn’t have to be drudgery, and it doesn’t have to occupy an entire Saturday afternoon. Devoting a little […]
Suit Their Needs
Setting up an aquarium for the first time can be a daunting venture for many consumers. The tasks of selecting the right tank size, filter, lighting and other aspects are enough to make one’s head spin. When you add to that the alternatives that consumers have for spending their leisure time and money, it become […]
Focus on Foods
They say “you are what you eat,” and this is certainly true when it comes to aquarium inhabitants. A varied diet of high quality foods promotes color, growth, resistance to disease and, of course, spawning in tropical and pond fish, as well as corals and other invertebrate. While it is true that today’s flake and […]
High Technology
The aquarium hobby is increasingly influenced by modern technology, and the range of equipment available today can be mind boggling, both in sophistication and price. If you’re hesitant at the thought of stocking a lot of high-tech aquarium equipment on the grounds that it tends to have lower profit margins and turnover rates, you may […]
Thinking Ahead
Although summer is still going strong, if you live in an area that experiences the changing of seasons, it’s time to get your customers thinking about preparing their ponds for winter. What climate zone you’re in, how large and deep a pond is, and what type of fish and plants are in it will determine […]
Life on the Reef
Today’s reef hobbyists have literally hundreds of livestock choices for their aquariums, with new varieties entering the trade almost weekly. Stocking a wide selection of healthy, interesting reef-appropriate creatures and helping shoppers make good buying decisions can go a long way toward ensuring their success in the hobby and enhancing your store’s reputation in the […]
Not So Complicated
Saltwater fishkeeping has gotten easier, and retailers should share that message with consumers.
At Your Service
When properly planned, adding an aquarium maintenance service to your store can spawn more revenue.