New Page 2

 

Welcome to SDR!

  • Amused
  • Angry
  • Annoyed
  • Awesome
  • Bemused
  • Cocky
  • Cool
  • Crazy
  • Crying
  • Down
  • Drunk
  • Embarraded
  • Enraged
  • Friendly
  • Geeky
  • Grumpy
  • Happy
  • Hungry
  • Piratey
  • Poorly
  • Sad
  • Shy
  • Sneaky
  • Tired
  • + Reply to Thread
    Results 1 to 6 of 6

    Thread: New Fountains Website

    1. #1
      Fountains Aquarium is offline Registered User
      Enter Status Here..
       
      I am:
      Set you mood here...
       
      Join Date
      Apr 2012
      Location
      La Mesa CA
      Posts
      4

      New Fountains Website

      Hi, Check out our new redesigned website! Thanks for looking. Have a great day.

      http://www.fountainsaquarium.com

      California Couple Uses Neon, Custom Fish Displays And Long Hours To Find Success
      By Ginny Guidry (As Published in: Pet Product News & PSM, November 1993)

      Many years of persistence, hard work and dedication have paid off for Gary and Judy Hoffa, owners of Fountain's Aquarium in La Mesa, California. The Hoffa's recently moved their operation from a 1,500 square-foot converted house to a huge building (a few blocks away) stretching 17,000 square feet.
      The Hoffa's began building their business in 1975 when they bought Fountain's Aquarium from its original owner, who established the operation in 1953. Today, Gary and Judy, along with their son and daughter, Marc and Jennifer are busy settling into their new and spacious quarters that includes 5,000 square feet of retail space. The remaining 12,000 square feet is dedicated to the Hoffa's wholesale business, San Diego Aquarium and Pet Supply, Inc.
      What prompted the Hoffa's to purchase three lots down the street and build a new facility? "We outgrew our old location. We outgrew it several years ago," said Gary, noting that 1,500 square feet wasn't enough space for 10 employees and more than a hundred customers every day. Today the Hoffa's have a staff of 23. The new facility took about a year and a half to build, beginning with buying three lots (with homes), clearing them and working with an architect on the design. "We built this from the ground up," said Gary, noting that one of the most difficult aspects of the job was working with the numerous contractors.

      But the benefits of Fountain's luxury of added space certainly outweigh the hard work and difficulties associated with building a new pet store. "The expanded space [is a benefit] and the ability to show a product properly so people can see what we have. It is a lot easier to work in because we're not so crowded," said Gary. Chances are, whatever Aquarium-related supplies hobbyists are seeking, they will find it at Fountain's. The fish store stocks thousands of fish, including saltwater, freshwater, goldfish, and koi; wet and dry systems; supplies and accessories; and gifts.
      Judy, Gary, and their staff, are knowledgeable about the aquarium hobby and can answer questions and give advice. "We specialize in everything to do with aquariums. And what we can't buy, we make…," Gary said. "We manufacture our own florescent fixture kits, we manufacture a lot of our own aquariums. We do quite a bit of our own manufacturing."

      A trip to Fountain's is a treat to the senses. As colorful and vibrant as tropical fish are, so too is the exterior of Fountain's Aquarium. The building is wrapped in a strip of pink neon. The windows, which have been painted with realistic illustrations of colorful fish, are filled with water (thin, tall tanks) that bubble continuously. The building appears to be filled with water - an effect carefully planned and executed by the Hoffa's.
      Inside, there's a 35-foot counter area, a pond filled with koi, rows of carefully stocked shelves, numerous gravel bins, aquariums and stands on display and a bagging area, complete with a hookup to pure oxygen and a gravel trap in the sink.
      The flooring is a combination of tile and carpeting. The perimeter is tiled and the deep blue carpeting is laid is sections between tile, making in necessary tile replace if necessary.

      Bins of feeder fish and brine shrimp are located near the front counter. What's different about these bins are the lids: They are similar to those found on ice cream trucks (they open on the top), from which Gary got the idea. The countertop at the feeder bins, and throughout the store, is made of corian, a practically indestructible (but very expensive) material.

      Many aspects of the new building are the result of 20 years of experience, and frustration, Gary said. When they designed the structure, they sought to eliminate difficulties. For example, the lights in the new building are in two locations, making it quick and easy to turn them off. In the old building, it could take 15 minutes to turn off all lights because they were in so many different locations. The counter space is large because the Hoffa's realized many sales take place there. The store is equipped with a tank less hot water heater, which means the hot water supply is endless. And walking into the fish room is an incredible experience. The tanks, which were designed and patented by Gary, are filled with all kinds of sea creatures. A 4,000-pound "bubble wall" looms overhead. The room is dim, lit only by blue neon and tank lights. What's unique about these tanks are the shapes: Gary designed them to maximize fish display. He said traditional tanks are not a good way to display fish, especially those tanks placed on the bottom shelf.

      The tank lights are also unique. Instead of being placed in the lid, waterproof lights are placed in the back of the tank, allowing better lighting on the fish. The tanks do not need to be removed for repair - an awkward and difficult task - because they are all accessible from behind. The fish room is, more or less, a room within a room. Fountain's tanks are filtered through several systems located behind the scenes. A 47-foot long "pit" houses some 30 pumps, utilizing fluidized beds with bio-balls for re-oxygenation. This state-of-the-art biological method of filtering is effective and keeps tank water crystal clear.
      What has made Fountain's Aquarium so successful said Gary, is hard work, being at the pet store seven days a week and paying attention. "Don't get into it unless you plan on working real hard," he said. "We work seven days a week, my wife and I. We take no vacations, whatsoever, except for business trips like to trade shows. She's here from 8 o'clock in the morning to 8:30 or 9 every night; I come in a little later, but I'm here late. The day that she takes off and stays at home she does book work, and we've been doing that for a long time.

      "I've heard a lot of people say they are going to retire and get into a tropical fish store. And there isn't any such thing. You don't retire into this business. This is hard work. And to be successful you have to put those hours in."
      Last edited by Yolo; 01-23-2013 at 08:31 AM.

    2. #2
      AFUreef is offline Registered User
      My status is: It's 5 o'clock somewhere
       
      I am:
      Crazy
       
      Join Date
      Mar 2008
      Location
      Vista
      Posts
      3,796
      Did I mIss the link?

    3. #3
      jt_milstead's Avatar
      jt_milstead is offline Site Moderator
      My status is: Tired of being let down by the
      Chargers
       
      I am:
      Crying
       
      Join Date
      Oct 2007
      Location
      Poway
      Posts
      3,369
      J.T. Milstead
      "Play Today, Build Tomorrow, And Pray For The Rest"

    4. #4
      SanDiegoReefs's Avatar
      SanDiegoReefs is offline Owner/Administrator
      My status is: Busy Working on Stuff
       
      I am:
      Amused
       
      Join Date
      Nov 2003
      Posts
      21,385
      Very cool Marc! I need to stop by soon.

      Added URL.
      SIGNATURE

      Doing the best we can for SDReefs.com and our Reefing Community.

      Have you read the post: Etiquette for newbies?

      http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22223

    5. #5
      XO PRESENTS's Avatar
      XO PRESENTS is offline SDMAS Staff Member / MOD
      My status is: Never doubt that a small group
      of thoughtful, committed
      citizens can change the world;
      indeed, it's the only thing
      that ever has.
       
      I am:
      Tired
       
      Join Date
      Feb 2011
      Location
      Santee Lakes
      Posts
      2,321
      I went to Fountains today to get some water for my tank........ spent am hour or so taking to Marc... very cool cat who cares about the hobby.... since I live in NP now.. I know where to go.. thanks for the chat bro...
      Last edited by XO PRESENTS; 08-25-2012 at 04:15 PM.
      Attentively,

      Ron Luong


      SDR Marketing Director / SDMAS Board of Directors

      Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.

      Investing in our SDR Community www.sdreefs.com/forums/showthread.php?89507-SanDiegoReefs.com-Giving-back-to-our-community

      My Crazy Obsession
      www.sdreefs.com/forums/showthread.php?96495-Xo-signature-experience-s-obsession-continues

      Show Some Love
      http://www.sdreefs.com/forums/showthread.php?75529-XO-PRESENTS-feedback

      Who Got Tats? wwwhttp://www.sdreefs.com/forums/showth...-Off-Your-Tats.




    6. #6
      Yolo's Avatar
      Yolo is offline Premium Member
      Enter Status Here..
       
      I am:
      Happy
       
      Join Date
      May 2005
      Location
      SD
      Posts
      39,993
      Fountains is a 10 minute drive from my house, surface streets. Always cool to just walk through and check things out. I always get the same great services at decent prices. I need to get back over there soon for a visit. Need some cleaner crew!
      SW 150g Reef w/Livestock

      I really love arguing with strangers on the internet...NOT...be cool."
      "I was Yolo before it got weird."
      http://www.sandiegofishingclub.com

    + Reply to Thread

    Thread Information

    Users Browsing this Thread

    There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

       

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts