Our online store is now OPEN while we build Pick up only for the moment ! Keep Checking daily as we continue to add inventory !!!
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see what's available in store
Our Freshwater fish!!
Aquarium and Pond Maintenance services
Our primary concern is the well-being of your aquatic life and ensuring the efficient operation of the life support. Dive into freshwater or saltwater ecosystems with our expert guidance. In an effort to provide our customers with the most professional Aquarium Maintenance program on the west coast of Florida our full time service technicians are experienced and fully trained in the upkeep and care of Fresh and Salt Water Aquariums & Ponds, as well as specializing in Species Identification and Compatibility, Disease Diagnosis, Treatment and Nutrition. If you are interested in our Maintenance Program, call the store and speak with our Service Manager to arrange for service.
The cost of our monthly maintenance aquarium program depends upon the location, size, and amount of time required to clean the aquarium. Our charge for the Sarasota area is $75/ hour (this is a per technician charge) plus the cost of supplies and sales tax. There is a one hour minimum charge per trip. Out of town locations will incur an additional fee for travel (based on distance).
The cost for our pond maintenance is $80/ hour (per technician), plus supplies and trip charge (if outside Sarasota).
Emergency service calls are not included, and are addressed on an individual basis.
When you join our Service Program, our technicians will schedule to clean your tank every 1 - 4 weeks depending on your preference. Make sure to schedule your next appointment with your technician while he/she is onsite to ensure a place on their schedule. If you prefer to call - this may cause a delay in your service.
Cleaning your tank will involve the following:
1. Testing all water chemistry parameters
2. Making new water onsite or providing RO water
3. Check fish and coral health
4. Clean all decorations
5. Scrubbing all inside walls, lids, overflows, skimmers, etc.
6. Draining and replacing 1/3 - 1/2 of the tank water
7. Cleaning or replacing all filter mediums, air stone, and chemical removing pads
During the service, the technician will check that your equipment is in working order. If you have recently purchased a new tank, you should schedule the first water change at the 8th week. We recommend a water chemistry check-up at 4 weeks or earlier if you prefer.
Payment is due upon completion of services. Checks cash and credit cards are acceptable forms of payment.
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Visit Us
Address
2162 Gulf Gate Dr
Sarasota, FL 34241
USA
Hours
Monday to Friday 10 AM - 6PM
Saturday 10 AM - 5PM
Sunday 12 PM - 4 PM
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About Us
About the Owners
By age 7 Rick Marot had decided he wanted to be a Marine biologist, so his mother joined a book of the month encyclopedia club to help him gain knowledge of the field. He scoured every volume for fishes and creatures of the deep sea. Never wavering in his quest, he excelled in school and was offered scholarships to each college he applied to. Starting at Tulane University in 1971 his life took a turn when his father introduced him to his future wife, Charlene, who worked with him. On their very first date Rick told Charlene they would someday tell their grandkids how they met. She was an education major at FSU in Tallahassee. Rick gave us his ROTC full scholarship so they both could finish school together at USF Tampa.
Just a few weeks after their decision to move to Tampa, Rick went scuba diving under the Skyway Bridge with some friends on Memorial Day weekend. An 18-year-old kid he had never seen enter the water after him with a six foot long, five band spear gun looking for Goliath Fish. The water was very cloudy and rough near the shore where they were diving. Unbelievably, the kid fired his gun at a shadow, which happened to be Rick. The spear went clear through Rick’s leg just behind his left knee, severing both the main vein and artery. Even worse, as Rick swam to the surface the kid pulled him back down by the attached steel cable thinking he had a big grouper. Rick was able to swim over to a rock where he grabbed the cable with the spear Sticking out of both sides of his leg and pulled the diver up to the surface. As Rick’s blood turned the water solid red the kid froze in fear when he realized what he had done. Rick felt the blood leave all his extremities and slipped into unconsciousness and fell forward into the water. Fortunately, one of the boys on shore swam out to rescue him and they got him to shore where they had to flag down a car to call and get help. When the ambulance finally got there, about 45 minutes later, they measured his blood pressure at 14 over 10. At Bayfront Medical Center Charlene and Rick’s parents were aghast as Rick was wheeled into surgery with his leg all black and swollen. They were all told it probably couldn’t be saved. Rick’s guardian Angel intervened, and a world class surgeon was on call and managed to splice the artery and vein back together in a six-hour surgery.
Fast forward two years later and Rick and Charlene graduated together in the summer of 1975 and got married in August. With his degree in marine biology and two years of experience managing the first saltwater aquarium store in the state, Rick approached Charlene with the idea of starting their own store. They had proceeds of a settlement (only $7000.00) from the accident, so they went on a camping trip to find a place to set up a store. When they reached the Bayfront in Sarasota they fell in love with the town and settled on Gulf Gate as a place they could set up shop.
After fifty years in business, imparting their knowledge and service to three generations of customers Rick and Charlene look forward to spending time with their two sons and grandchildren and turning the reins of their business over to their fantastic employees.