Good afternoon my fellow Shrimp Keepers,

I have received the answers for our first SKF sponsor interview.

Today we have a interview from one of our platinum sponsors, John @The Tech Den. John and his team joined us around the same time SKF changed hands so for me I regard him as one of the founding sponsors of SKF v2. The Tech Den provide both a storefront in Caboolture and an online presence - http://www.thetechden.com.au/.

If you are ever out Caboolture way, they are located at Unit 11, 39-45 Cessna Drive and can be contacted on 07 5432 3260 or via email - [email protected]. I'm drooling just looking at these store pics 

Oh yes, the interview:

How has the aquatic industry changed from when you started?

I was lucky enough to be introduced into the hobby 40 years ago when my parents purchased a tank for the family and it sat on a wrought iron stand and the top of the line filter which was a corner air driven filter with carbon and filter wool – it was much simpler to have fish back then. Water chemistry was not really well known and the biggest choice was tropical fish or gold fish and the fish were pretty hardy – well they had to be. Boy things have changed, from local fish to exotic pets, simple care to more involved water chemistry and the equipment has changed dramatically and the fish food was basically flake to now where we nutritious food with a wealth of ingredients. We have learnt a lot and yet there is still so much to learn.  

Advice for people starting in the hobby (fish, shrimp or other)

We all start the hobby with a simple thought of being able to have a nice tank and being able to sit in front of it and enjoying it. The best advice I can give is work out what your water is that you can provide and then look at the options best suited for that water. Start simple, less disappointment and work on changes and challenges as you get better/more experienced to cope with the knowledge needed to work with specific water for certain species.

What is the best tip you can give someone starting out with a new tank? 

Get the environment sorted first then start with one fish or just a couple of shrimp – do not get excited of wanting everything in at once. Ammonia, ammonia, ammonia. Your creating an eco-system and balance is important.

What is your most popular product for shrimp keepers?

Salty Shrimp conditioners

What is one product that you would recommend to shrimp keepers that is in your opinion under-rated or under-utilised? 

GH/KH Test Kit

We have had plecos, nano tanks, aquascaping, and shrimp as the 'big thing' in the aquarium hobby over recent years. what do you see as the next 'big thing' in the aquarium hobby? 

Mini Reef

In your experience, how has the hobby changed in the past 10-20 years? For example, are people generally keeping smaller aquariums than they used to? 

Technology, hobbyists are embracing technology and display tanks are becoming unbelievable and yet realistic. Social media has had a big impact with knowledge being so easily shared and we are becoming more educated, not everything should be believed on google but is a basis where research can be done easily.

How has the influx of cheap aquarium equipment from Chinese manufacturers affected your business? Do people still appreciate the established brands (think Eheim, Fluval, ect.) or is it all about price? 

Price is a concern but the track records of dominant brands and the preference for a quality product is overwhelming. Not so long ago I had a customer come in and showed him a pump and he loved the design and wanted it until he asked where it was made and I said China and the answer is something that I will not forget “I’m from china – no good” and was interesting that someone from the country that it was made did not have confidence in products made there.

What is your current favorite pet?

I would not say I have a favorite pet – I have a favorite tank – well ecosystem – planted tank with Redline Torpedo’s and Cardinal Tetra’s

Do you keep shrimp? 

We do at the shop but at home unfortunately I only have the time to keep the one tank as mentioned above and just about to set up a nice little shrimp tank for my partner – yes she has been touched by the shrimp bug and I am worried where it will led.

What is the worst question you have ever been asked by a customer? 

Why did my pet die – (a lot of times when we ask about pH, GH, KH, Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate that they have and unfortunately they can not advise us on any of them)

What is your best experience as a retailer?

Meeting people – there are so many good people out there.

 

 

Awesome!  My favorite aquarium store,  and I'm from Townsville! 

Another awesome interview! Also a great shop to buy online from. Ive used them many times and it's always been Flawless

 

Definitely one of my favourite online stores.... Great service and very responsive. ?

Agreed. Have ordered from tech den many times. Great team!