About - Island Fish and Reef

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HISTORY

Since 2003, Fish and Reef has been New York’s premier aquarium design, installation, stocking, and maintenance firm. Specializing in all aquatic ecosystems: freshwater, planted, saltwater, and reef alike. From the beginning, Suffolk County Fish and Reef has been a well respected business in the community providing excellent customer service both at our previous retail store and with maintenance clients. Beginning with only one van and boasting 10,000 gallons of display aquaria at our retail location, Suffolk County Fish and Reef quickly gained a foothold in the aquarium industry and was able to build a strong installation and maintenance division.

In late 2013, the defining decision to change our name to Island Fish and Reef also changed the direction of our business and focused our talents and efforts solely on our installation and maintenance clients. Being client-based meant we strived to provide our clients with the full-time luxury experience of owning an aquarium without the hassle of maintaining such a complex ecosystem.

Currently, Island Fish and Reef proudly operates four maintenance vehicles 7am-7pm 7 days a week, with emergency services always available. Our new facility located at 505 Johnson Avenue, Bohemia, NY, 11716 is now open by appointment only.

Quality and responsibility of care are core tenants of the Fish and Reef ethos. We are proud of our history and our current staff of five installation and maintenance technicians that use their years of experience to provide you a great wealth of comfort, peace of mind, and knowledge.

STAFF PROFILES

Corey

Owner, Founder

Corey established Fish & Reef in 2003 as a startup with the intention of establishing an aquarium design, installation, stocking, and maintenance firm for a one-stop-shop environment from concept to completion. Through comprehensive research, Corey devised a business plan to provide a wide range of quality aquatic services to Long Island that had not previously existed.

Corey graduated with his MBA in 2000 while working full-time for the Long Island Rail Road. He is proud of the fact that he graduated at the top of his class while being employed full-time and never letting his quality of work diminish. Corey has been happily married for 20 years and is the proud father of two children as well as numerous animals.

Downs

Owner, Chief of Maintenance

Downs has been a key member of the Island Fish & Reef team for the last eight years. Starting as a part-time employee in 2011 at the original retail store opened by Corey, he has risen to be chief of maintenance and part owner of the company. From fresh water to salt water, aqua-scaping to coral husbandry, Downs is the swiss army knife of Island Fish & Reef. Bringing passion and ambition to the creative side of aquatic curation, Downs always exceeds client expectations when building, maintaining, or rehabilitating their dream aquarium.

He is a proud retired veteran of the United States Army who served with honor and distinction as a member of the 101^st Airborne Division, as well as a graduate of Suffolk Community College.

Frank

Fish Room Manager, Disease & Husbandry Specialist

Frank has been in the industry for over 50 years and has been published in Freshwater and Marine Aquarium and Tropical Fish Hobbyist magazines. He has also taught both the freshwater and saltwater certification courses for the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council and has presented countless Powerpoint presentations to various aquarium societies.

Frank has recently retired from the New York Aquarium after 30 years, first as Junior Aquarist, and then as Senior Aquarist. It is there that he became familiar with fish pathology and disease diagnosis. Frank’s interest have varied over the years, from freshwater fishes to marine systems, and reef tanks. Currently his interests lie towards planted freshwater aquariums and the more rare and unusual freshwater fishes, especially tetras.

Todd

Lead Installation and Maintenance Technician

Todd’s obsession with aquatic life started in childhood when he received his first five-gallon aquarium as a Christmas gift at ten years old. His passion grew to include an aquarium room of over forty tanks in the basement of his family home in upstate NY.

From high school, Todd had goals of owning a company that designed and maintained custom aquariums. Todd then attended SUNY Adirondack and later Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as a student of architecture. Though discouraged from school counselors, Todd succeeded in beginning his own business entitled “The Aquarium Maintenance Company” in 1994, which supported his college journey.

Todd’s passion turned into a large business when he later purchased the local pet shop which he turned into an aquarium specialty store and rebrands himself as “Exotic Aquatics Ltd.” After 13 years of years of success, Todd decided to close the doors of his own business to focus less on the rigors of ownership and more on his passion for fish as an aquarium designer. Soon after, he met with Corey Goldberg who was building a team to create Long Island’s top aquarium design firm, and it was a perfect match!

Todd uses his 25 years of experience to create unique and attention drawing designs for clients all across the trade. He welcomes the challenges of creating a functional ecosystem that meets the aesthetic desires of his clients.

Brandon

Installation and Renovation Specialist

Brandon’s first interactions with Island Fish & Reef first occurred when he was 6 years old, having met Todd and Downs who had serviced his grandfathers aquarium over the years. It wasn’t until he was 15 when he finally joined the team, having kept a relationship with Todd

who introduced him to Corey. During his early years at Island Fish & Reef, Brandon was in charge of the shop, ensuring all equipment was clean and repaired and all the chemicals and products were made for weekly

use, while assisting technicians on the road. In the August of 2017, Brandon temporarily parted ways to attend the University of Tampa. Still enrolled there, Brandon is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Science while also minoring in philosophy and marine biology. He plans to further his education by going to graduate school to obtain a masters in sustainability and a Ph.D in hydrology. Although he is 1,200 miles away, Brandon still keeps in practice.

When he is in Florida, Brandon still works as a part time aquarium technician taking care of South Tampa’s high-end reef aquarium clients. While working in Tampa, Brandon has had the opportunity to install and maintain reef aquariums exceeding 800 gallons in size. When home in New York, you are most likely going to encounter Brandon installing or rehabbing your aquarium. When he’s not effortlessly trying to care for specific client needs, you will find him at the shop repairing equipment or tirelessly trying to improve the efficiency of

weekly tasks. We are lucky to have him!

Tommy

Stocking and Preparation Specialist

Tommy began his aquarium journey with Island Fish and Reef almost two years ago and continues to grow his interests and skills while also attending high school locally. He always brings his A game with him everyday whether it’s for cleaning filter socks or re-filling bulk products. Every weekend he ensures that the shop and the technicians are ready to go for the week and his efforts are felt and appreciated by all. He plans to attend college nearby and we are proud to have him on our team.

Interested in joining our team?

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Testimonials

After knowing absolutely nothing about feeding, I contacted Island Fish and Reef for some advice. I was able to speak to Chris who laid out everything I needed to know and do to get my first reef tank started. From products to buy, to cycling my tank for the first time, Chris was extremely knowledgeable and had all of the answers. Even though I am out of state, Chris pointed me in the right direction for the simple fact he has a passion for the hobby. If you are ever looking for information on reefing for the amateur or expert, Island fish and reef is the place to go!
Ryan Berk
Highly recommend Island Fish and Reef. Chris and Shane came by for a complimentary consultation because we were having trouble with the water levels and our fish kept dying. From the day we called, they came out within two days. They showed up on time and took the time to explain all the details and how-to’s of caring for such a large tank. It has been a month and our water is clear and our fish are thriving. And they even called a week later to see how the fish were doing. Their complimentary consultation gave us the opportunity to see how knowledgeable they are and we will definitely be calling them back for future tank maintenance. Professional, knowledgeable and courteous staff. Thank you very much.
Renee Clock
Island Fish and Reef is truly excellent. I was very lucky to find them a few years ago to move a 120 gallon reef tank to our office. They did a great job and have been coming weekly for maintenance ever since. Downs and his team are very knowledgeable, professional, and always go the extra mile. They have sourced fish, corals, and equipment that made perfect additions to our system. They do a great job coming up with creative custom solutions to any problem we come across. Thank you!
Nolan Swanlund
A few years ago you helped me get started with my first salt water tank. The Bio Cube was a great way to get started because it was very easy for the novice. This past November I came to you for help, trying to get a larger tank for my office that was affordable and not too difficult to maintain. Your staff delivered it and set it up in a few hours. They transferred my livestock into the new tank and of course, I added to it over the past few months…your staff gave me excellent advice so I get the most out of my tank. My reef tank is now the focal point in my office and a calming influence on my clients, my staff and me. People come in to my office to just view the tank...
Anthony Pomilla, L.P.L. Risk Management LTD.
Island Fish & Reef, we would like to thank you for the beautiful reef tank you supplied to our home. From the first setup to what your tank looks like now and the maintenance you supplied, we just have to say thank you and we have no regrets…They are all trustworthy and reliable in your home. I highly recommend Island Fish & Reef to anyone who wants an aquarium...
The Smith Family
Island Fish & Reef has been performing aquarium maintenance of our 650-gallon saltwater aquarium for over 5 years. During their scheduled, weekly maintenance visits the company has proven to be dedicated, honest and knowledgeable. The appearance and condition of the aquarium has never been better. Consequently, we have been completely satisfied with the service we have received...
J. Bell, Custom Computer Specialists, Inc.
I have been a satisfied client of Island Fish & Reef since the business opened several years ago. Corey is extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of marine aquarium systems and biology and his staff can be counted on to have the answers to any questions one may ask. Island Fish & Reef has maintained my office tank beautifully since it was set up many years ago. Most importantly to me, their maintenance people show up on time every time, and always leave a sparkling tank with perfectly balanced chemistry...
Miles D. Gorenkoff, D.M.C
“I want to thank the entire team at Island Fish & Reef for the wonderful service and level of professionalism you have provided to us over the past several years. We have a 90-gallon African Cichlid tank that separates two executive offices; it adds a perfect combination of beauty and serenity to our work environment. Your dedicated maintenance staff takes extreme pride in the work they perform, ensuring that the tank is perfect every month, and it shows...
- Barbara Jasinksi, Future Tech Enterprise, Inc.
Our office has been utilizing the services of Island Fish & Reef for the past 5 years. In that time, our fish tank has been serviced on a regular basis in a timely and efficient manner. Corey and the staff are always prompt and have handled any issues to our satisfaction. Island Fish & Reef has been wonderful and we would recommend them highly. Thank you for giving our fish a happy and safe environment.
– The Staff at Gentle Dental, Ronkonkoma, NY
I would like to express my thanks to you for the care and maintenance of my 150-gallon salt-water fish tank. I have had fish in the tank for over 5 years now and all of my fish are doing very well.
Danny Harmer, President, Advanced Epoxy Flooring, Bohemia NY