Need some input from fellow Red Deer & Area reefer's

[Slick Fork]

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.