Colorado. January 10th.

It all started from a Reef Builders YouTube video. Josh — owner of The Fish Reef — wanted something different, unique. Apple Store-like. Once he saw our rack systems in that video, he knew they were the ones for him. He got a hold of us, and you could sense the excitement and emotion coming straight through the phone.

“Everything has to be modernized. Everything has to be sleek.” — Josh, Owner, The Fish Reef

Josh was looking for something far removed from the typical fish store aesthetic. When we spoke in depth with him, we asked what his main goals were. He told us he wanted to make an impression on everyone that walked through the door — not just visually, but with the livestock he was bringing in, the customer support he’d provide, and the all-around professionalism of the place.

Right off the bat, Josh wanted the white Retail Rack Systems. Those were going to bring out the Apple Store look, he said. Ten of them, to be exact, along with two of our Frag Systems. The order was placed, the date was set, and we were going to Colorado.

Meeting Josh in person was exactly what we’d hoped for: fun, humorous, and enthusiastic — the perfect type of person to run a fish store. He insisted on picking us up from the airport himself instead of sending us to a rideshare. From the moment we got in the car, we were talking shop.

Once at the store, we walked the space, planned the layout, made a few minor adjustments, and got straight to work. First step: build all the stands. Anyone who’s seen us work knows that when we get going, we don’t stop. Music on, heads down. Once the stands were fully assembled, we placed the tanks exactly as Josh had envisioned — 3s on top, 1s in the middle, 2s at the bottom.

Next came the plumbing. While one person tediously glued every connection, the other kept the environment clean — clearing out packaging and waste so we had a safe, organized workspace. With the glue cured and everything set, we were ready for the final lift.

Early the following morning, we moved every rack unit and frag tank into its final position. Using the tricks and experience we’ve picked up from doing this across the country, the whole operation went smoothly and efficiently. Josh was more than impressed. Before we knew it, the units were filled with water and cycling — a working store floor in just a couple of days.

Working with Josh was an awesome experience. We’re proud to be part of The Fish Reef story — and if you’re in Colorado, go visit. You will not be disappointed.

Thank you for the opportunity, Josh. Much luck to The Fish Reef — and to everyone reading this thinking about what their store could look like, this is what’s possible when you’re willing to go for it.

Thanks for the opportunity, Josh. If you’re in Colorado, go check out The Fish Reef — and if you’re thinking about your own build, you know where to find us.