PTS1 - a journal?

[frosties]

So this weekend was the key receipt... We got them actually last thursday. Got them and went in straight away to clean. What a bloomin mess... I washed the walls down, cleaned the sink... hoovered, dusted, hiivered again... then the shelves... washed them then hoovered the ceiling - well the bits I could reach... It took nearly all day!
So during the weekend I then decided to measure and lay out the shop... nightmare!
Everything that was intended was measured and worked to Bris plan... but it did not fit!    So I juggled it about and think I am there. Some bits are fluid in approach - as in I cant decide which tank is going where so it will be a last minute thing. So left it to today.

Today Russ came to help paint... and we certainly have painted. 30l of white paint emulsion so far! I have 1l blue satin for the doors and a 1l white for the pipes... We still have the skirting boards and pipes to do... maybe tomorrow.

The plants this week are delayed by 24 hours due to easter... so they are scheduled high priority for tomorrow... but I have to visit the shop first thing to shift 3 HUGE desks from the shop and dump them...

Now what really has me kinda hacked off is the amount of suppliers who are coming from the woodwork! All those that would not supply me before... now instead it is me who is being picky - and it is strange. We do have some good options coming up... but we need to get the shop sorted first.

We still have to build a custom sales and packing point - which will also incorporate an office!

Now I have a few quotes in for the tanks... this is quite a shock. People think money grows on trees so I may still be forced into a DIY for these... I will probably end up buying the tanks, then building the racking from wood. Pipework is easy but needs to be practical... Fixed hosing I think - not pond pipes this time.

Dupla may have come up trumps - I have a discussion to have with them about it but the sales display could be interesting. I need to decide which products to stock - and which products to order... so I need to work this out then advise them.

The Tropica stand looks good as it is - but I need to increase the total tank space further to accomodate this more. I am thinking spearate tanks for tropica and Asian plants.

I also need to designa nd build a display case for the tools... and also shelving to accomodate the ferts from Johnny... we shall see very soon...

So I am planning to have the shop open for the last weekend in May - maybe the forst in June - but at this stage - it is going to look rustic!

[Bri]

Great progress so far and a vast improvement today from when i saw it before :)

[frosties]

One thing to point out - Bri's input...

Yes - both Bri and I went to PTS1 to check it out... I gave Bri a rough estimate of how I saw it. Bri did the architect thing and put it on paper... but what really happened was I forgot the tape measure!  so it was guess work.

We worked out the dimensions approximately by counting bricks and blocks... but we were wrong. What looked good on paper - sadly does not work out when you use a tape measure and sticky tape to the floor. so the drawing board beckoned again... However what really did work for me was a second opinion... could it be done - would it work? I got the input I needed and wanted - in bucket loads. So what I really wanted to post here was thanks to Bri for the input... and thanks for the opinions...

Now whilst I am on it - Thanks to Russ for his help today... much appreciated.

Oh btw - Matt called in today to see where we are... so this is good - cos now we know people can find us.

So much to do and so little time... got the electricans quote - nearly had a coronary!

[TomMessenger]

Good journals always have lots of pictures.... :P

[Bri]

I have some as it was, i'll send them to Tony if i can get them off the phone today :)

Bri.

[frosties]

photos later tonight...

[discusturkguy]

sounds like a challenging day but very productive with great support for those able to help out   .
interesting though how those suppliers never wanted to know but now you have the shop they are trying to get your attention which proves how far you have come during this new venture, and now they can see that you do have plans for bigger things 

[TomMessenger]

I found the same with suppliers - very few wholesalers would give me accounts unless I had a shop front.

[johnny70]

Ditto, a nightmare getting good decent suppliers here too, luckily I have found a few...........

[discusturkguy]

going by that you both experienced the same thing maybe points to if you don`t posess a shop then they don`t look upon you has trade, but once you get a shop this then changes or i could be completely wrong just the only explanation i could think off 

[frosties]

So much has happened since I last updated this thread. So here goes:

We have finally completed the painting. It is brilliant White and using silk emulsion may not have been a good idea. It is so bloody bright in there you need sunglasses with only the unit lighting! But on the positive side, it is washable! ;)

We have also finalised the layout, bri we need your drawing skills soon again! And tomorrow we are going to tidy up the old data cabling and phones.

We have also designed the custom packing and sales counter which also incorporates an office area. We have also designed one of the temporary tank stands which will remain for a while until the second stack of tanks arrive.

We have also the bare bones of the new tank stand for the monster tanks. Each tank will weigh 250kg and three in the stack is going to be interesting. We will be securing the entire stack against the wall.

Tropica stand is here and you will have seen this already in other threads but the space is reserved for it in the shop.

A new custom shelf, which will incorporate bins for rock within it will be pride of place in pts1r1 (pts1 room 1). This will be in the middle of the floor, and will have shelving for apfuk ferts, easy carbo and other goods. We will have the tetra co2 kits here and possibly other items such as heaters, filters etc.

The other areas include a huge space for the dupla shelving. I have to figure out which stock to have here but it will be vast. This will include the co2 systems, substrates etc as well as all the filters, additives, fish food products etc.

Finally to complete pts1r1 we will have a 478l display tank. This I have asked luis to design and scape.  The tank lends itself to both submerse and emerse growth with 2 150w metal halides swinging above it. Luis will be scaping this tank in july this year.

Pts1r2 will have the new custom packing area and sales area. It will also have a 240l juwel tank in here which juri (from asw) offered his services. He will fly to the UK sometime in July as well.
We will also be having the coffee / tea area where we will be running an honesty system for drinks. We will also stock coke and other refreshments in the fridge.

The tools will be in a display case In this room, although I have seen a nice display cabinet in ikea which lends itself to home these, although I may make a wall unit for these. Space will dictate options here.

A large area has been reserved for the special tank, which is to be my baby. This sadly will not arrive in the shop until September at the earliest, but it will be worth visiting.

So we have designed the layout. I can also confirm that we will be providing wireless broadband free of charge.
Now for fish, we will not be stocking them in this unit. Pts1 will not support the space required so we are still working on a deal with both Ranchu Aquatics and ferrybridge Aquatics. I will update you when this is confirmed.

[frosties]

Now I have also started to have some tanks commissioned for the shop opening. These are nanos. One will be a 10l and the other will be a 20l. The creation journal for these will be found on the forum very soon. Bigmatt has volunteered his time and collected them today with a huge range of plants, hardscape, substrates etc. Nearly £200 worth of items in total. I for one am looking forward to these especially when you see the plants and hardscape selected. I will leave it to matt to list the details etc.

[Bri]

Excellent progress so far tony. Cant wait to see it again :)

Just give me a shout when you need my help again and i'll pop through on my way home after work.

Bri

[James]

This is shaping up to be one epic shop, cant wait to see some photos

[bigmatt]

so ... No pressure on me then! I must extend a massive thanks to Tony for trusting me with two of the shop tanks and 200 quids worth of gear! Briefly one is to be a low tech with ferns and anubias to showcase the tanks and the lovely Zolux LED light, and then a high tech using the opti-mat co2 system. I've started on the 20 already and will be starting a journal over the weekend to let you see what i'm up to! Matt