EP341: The Controversy of Collecting Live Rock Sustainably with Eric Cohen of TankStop.com

Eric interviews Eric Cohen, a long-time figure in the aquarium industry, where he discusses his career evolution and current businesses, Blue Life USA and tankstop.com. Cohen details his early role as the second person to import live rock from Fiji to the US in the mid-1980s, sharing an anecdote about the first importer who went to jail for drug dealing. He explains how he co-founded Sea Dwelling Creatures in 1992, running it for 25 years before selling it in 2016 due to burnout and family health issues, driven by his growing focus on conservation. Cohen also discusses his re-entry into the livestock trade through tankstop.com, focusing on sustainable practices like importing real live rock from Australia and selling proprietary products through Blue Life USA, including the successful algae remedy Flux RX. Key Takeaways: Be ready to seize unexpected business opportunities, even in the early stages of your professional life. Recognize the seasonal changes in life and be willing to step away from a demanding business due to burnout or family needs. Cultivate a spiritual or devotional practice, such as Bhakti Yoga, to help stay grounded and manage your ego. Provide exceptional and personalized customer service to ensure interactions remain enjoyable and keep people involved in the hobby. Embrace new passions, like e-mountain biking, to find physical activity and enjoyment later in life. 🔗 Links and Resources Business & Sales Tools Contractor Sales Secrets Book a Call with Eric Triplett  Pond Industry Resources The Pond Digger Helix Pond Filtration EasyPro Pond Products Atlantic-Oase Fitz Fish Ponds – Koi Trips  Pond Trade Magazine Events & Communities 2025 LCR Summit (Oct. 20–21, Louisville, KY) EQUIP (Oct. 22 -24, Louisville, KY) TWT Contractor Circle (Facebook Group) TWT Contractor Power Circle (Facebook Group) Social Media The Pond Digger on Instagram The Pond Digger on Facebook Train With Triplett on TikTok