Pet store specializes in tropical fish and dogs

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October 7, 2007

By DAN HEATH The Press Republican Sun Oct 07, 2007, 12:00 AM EDT

PLATTSBURGH -- Barks and bubbles mean business is good for two longtime friends.

Mike McCorry and Bud Jones are partners in Bridge Street Aquarium, which specializes in tropical fish, aquarium supplies, dogs and occasionally cats. They opened the store, located at 60 Bridge St., in late July.

Both have plenty of experience, McCorry said, more than 60 years total. He was involved with Lake City Aquarium until he closed it about a year ago, while Jones was involved with B & D Aquarium in Malone until it closed in January.

They've known each other for a long time, and took the opportunity to open a business together. Their focus on just two types of pets allows them to do a better job, McCorry said.

"It's easier to manage two lines than 10 or more," he said.

In aquariums and tropical fish, they cater to beginners to as high-tech as anyone might want to go, McCorry said. The store offers sales, design, deliveries, setup and even emergency service calls.

The store has a wide variety of both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. That includes several reef tanks.

"They're like a section of a coral reef in the ocean," Jones said.

A reef tank near the cash register contained several varieties of aquatic life, some wildly waving in the water, almost as if a wind was whipping through the tank.

"A saltwater aquarium is a work in progress, like a canvas," McCorry said.

Several varieties of tropical fish swam around the many aquariums in the store. Several have a variety of freshwater vegetation spread throughout the tank.

That's beneficial, McCorry said, as the vegetation absorbs waste, gives off oxygen and gives the fish a sense of security, as they have a place to conceal themselves.

Jones has set up a tank at home, where he hopes to provide some home-grown coral for the store.

Jones designed their own central system to keep water flowing through the aquariums. Pumps circulate 6,000 gallons of water per hour, and there are two 100-gallon sump pumps.

Filtration is provided with ultraviolet sterilization, ozone injection and protein skimming, all of which removes contaminants and helps keep the fish disease free, McCorry said.

McCorry said teachers are welcome to set up class visits to learn about caring for an aquarium.

"I like to talk about it. It's a fun hobby and you can do it forever," he said.

Jones is the one who handles the dog side of the business, with an emphasis on small breeds. They sell both pure bred and designer mixes.

He said all of the store's dogs come from local breeders.

"We hand pick every dog we sell," Jones said.

McCorry said it's important to note they don't sell dogs bred at what are known as puppy mills.

"It costs more, but that's a bad business," he said. "We may have to travel to get a dog, but we get to see them in real time. It makes for a better customer-pet experience all the way around."

McCorry said they take customer requests and search for what they want.

"People tell us what they want. We do our best to help them get it," he said.

Quality is the key, McCorry said.

"Poor quality leads to poor results. Poor results translates to bad business," he said.

The partners try to make sure the dogs they sell are going to a situation that will work for both the dog and owner. They try to discourage people from buying large or very active dogs if they can't provide the space and room the dog needs to thrive.

"We've talked ourselves out of a lot of sales," Jones said.

Jones said he even sings to their dogs at times.

"They're the only ones who appreciate my singing," he said with a laugh.

dheath@pressrepublican.com