Your startup costs will be the same though except for Rent. (if we're comparing opening a shop at your house vs a shop in Red Deer).  You would still need several tanks for corals and fish and a small startup amount of dry goods.  You will need those no matter where you set up.  The million dollar question becomes will the increase in business from a storefront offset the added expense of the rent. 
 
You can minimize some of the startup costs by inviting established coral/fish businesses to put some stuff out there on consignment.  You could do the same with local reefers.  Let them put some frags out and just take a sellers fee. 
 
As for being a half hour away if something goes wrong.  Unless you plan on checking up on your home tanks on a regular basis through the night then if you spring a leak your screwed either way.  You still won't find it until the morning. 
		
	
		
		
		
		
		
	
		
		
	
	
	 |