Editorial
Front Page - Friday, June 11, 2010
Bermuda Triangle staff demystifies creatures of the deep
Erica Tuggle
The Bermuda Triangle has been operating for fourteen years in selling saltwater and freshwater animals and supplies. Austin Kruger, an associate of the store, says part of the allure of aquariums is to have a miniature ecosystem in your home or office.
- Erica Tuggle
The mystery of the ships that disappear within the Bermuda Triangle is no closer to being fully demystified, but for any question underwater life forms there is the Bermuda Triangle Tropical Fish and More location on Brainerd Road.
Austin Kruger, a staff member there, seems to know every fish need, species or trivia like the back of his hand, and, he says, if he doesn’t know something he is determined to find out.
Kruger started his first tank when he was 11, and had been a customer with Bermuda Triangle for several years when he was asked to join the staff.
It doesn’t seem possible that someone could know about every single fish swimming in the seemingly endless rows of tanks at the Bermuda Triangle, but Kruger can name them off as he passes by. Kruger says he is self-trained on his fish know-how from books and hands-on experience.
The allure of having a tank is like having a piece of fine furniture as well as a miniature ecosystem in your own living room, he says.
“It is almost like a biology experiment except more beautiful.”
Although the shop fulfills the needs of both fresh and saltwater enthusiasts, Kruger says, saltwater has taken the lead especially since the shop grows most of their own coral and can sell it at lower prices. Most beginners in the hobby start with a coral tank, he says, and it can be fulfilling not only for its implied purpose, but because customers can sell parts of the coral back. Kruger says they can cut sections off the coral and allow them to grow again much like clipping off a bulb of a flower and replanting it to make a new plant.
Most clients are private residences, although a few businesses come in looking for a nice tank and someone to maintain it for them, which Kruger says he does as well.
The reason why the public is more apt to join in the hobby is the recent ease of setting up a tank. Developing technology allows for the need of only a quality tank filter, Kruger says. Although, beginners should realize that maintaining a tank is a responsibility like any pet.
He recommends starting a freshwater tank for those who are beginning or unsure of the time they have to invest in the hobby. Although, he will try to steer those who are serious about their commitment to the saltwater side, because of the rewarding nature and the “wow” factor of the tropical exotic fish.
There are always complications when dealing with live animals, and water organisms are no exception. There has been consideration of putting corals on the endangered list, which would limit what their store would be able to receive, he says.
And if the recent oil spill spreads and kills the live rock in that area the prices of these items will skyrocket. This could affect a source for their items that is helpful, and a matter of chance. The live rock they receive sometimes has corals and other items living within them that they do not know exist until they begin to grow and thrive in the tanks at the store.
Jon Mays, the owner of Bermuda Triangle, says he is most interested in conservation of the reef life, sometimes to the chagrin of his customers. He says sometimes he will not sell certain pieces until there is enough accumulated to take off a section. It all works out in the end though, he says, as customers are able to bring parts of these pieces back later for profit.
Mays says he loves to come to work every day because he gets to see different and new animals every day.
“It is like Christmas opening the boxes and seeing the different kinds of fish,” he says. “We end up seeing shocking things never before seen with saltwater pieces coming in.”
Mays began working in an aquarium store when he was 13, and says if it was up to him there would be an aquarium in every room of the house. When he met Kristen Hayes, they established the Bermuda Triangle store as co-owners 14 years ago.
The Bermuda Triangle does not advertise much, Mays says, because they believe their best ads are word of mouth.
“We take care of those who come into our store and they say things to spread our business,” he says.
Even though they are down in this economy, Mays says, they are not out. They recently installed four tanks in Soddy Daisy, and will install four 120-gallon tanks at East Ridge elementary later this month.
A lot of their success in the business, Mays attributes to a knowledgeable and friendly staff and the store’s dedication to rebuilding and sharing reef life with Chattanooga.
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