Pets are a part of most people's homes, even those of modest means. Having our animal friends close to us is something we have evolved to enjoy over many generations. Our pets serve to remind us that love is caring for someone or something other than ourselves. It has been said that pets choose their masters. They volunteer for the job however indirectly and unconsciously. Our part in the process is sharing in the responsibility of caring for each other.
Aquariums are my pet of choice these days, because I find them relaxing and inspiring. My exposure to pets of all kinds has been diverse and while I love them all, aquatic plants and fish remain my passion. Over the years my experience with the pet market has also been diverse. My parents grew up in the era of small business, before the corporate giants took over the marketplace. They instilled this in me too. Small family-owned businesses are the backbone of our culture here in the USA and in many other places too. So, while corporate run pet industry stores serve their purpose, I simply choose not to give them my support unless no other options exist.
The LFS or Local Fish Store for me is the cornerstone of the hobby. I have fond memories as a child going with my family to a LFS and finding aquatic wonders, beautiful plants, captivating fish, and all that goes with it. I am captivated with the variety of fish and appropriate biomes available to us these days. Just for reference, I grew up with aquariums. My dad was breeding Siamese Fighting Fish (Betta splendens) back in the ‘50s before I was even born. As for many of us my love of the aquarium hobby was put on hold as my career took over, so it has been off and on through the years. When I moved to the Denver Metro, I found myself looking to reconnect with my authentic self. I wanted to find what really inspired me and looking back through all my experiences I arrived at Aquariums. To my delight, I discovered the Front Range to be blessed with a vast array of LFS’s. They cover every aspect of the aquarium hobby, with stores specializing in Monster Fish, Nano Fish, Cichlids, Saltwater, and Planted Tanks. This is not to mention all the great ‘all in one’ stores.
About 6 years ago I joined the Colorado Aquarium Society and began volunteering. I got involved in the Board of Directors and eventually became President for 2 years, 2019 & 2020. Along the way I decided we needed a list of all the LFS in Colorado so our members could find a store near them and also explore other stores around the state that perhaps specialized in the part of the hobby they were interested in most. That list can be found on the CAS website sponsor page. In future blogs I will be reviewing the stores I like best and which I recommend to you. I will be focusing on the stores specialties while also pointing out any short comings. Obviously, this will be a subjective exercise, although it is also based on both my factual experience and those of others I have spoken to. I highly recommend you explore the LFS near you and support your fellow hobbyists.
Sequoia Elisabeth
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