Watching tropical fish swim through cool blue water and exotic coral, Bill Treece feels his troubles melt away. Treece purchased his first saltwater aquarium in 1997, and says his hobby helped him cope with a divorce and four tours of duty with the Marine Corps in the Middle East.
After retiring from military service, Treece turned his passion for reef fish into a business that involves his whole family. He launched Saltwater Solutions, an aquarium store and maintenance business, in the basement of his home. Within a couple years, he outgrew his space and moved into a storefront at 244 Ash Ave. in Findlay.
Saltwater Solutions carries everything from tiny clownfish (think “Nemo”) to seven-foot long sharks. Treece sells reef fish, coral, and ocean creatures of every size, shape and bright color imaginable. “Everything in a saltwater tank is alive, from the sand, to the fish, to the coral,” he explains. “It’s one living organism and that makes it neat.”
A self-educated expert on saltwater tanks, Treece is always researching the latest so he can advise his customers on what’s compatible for their tank. Each aquarium is a mini-ecosystem that needs to remain healthy and in balance, he explains. “A customer doesn’t want to spend $50 on coral and then discover it made a tasty snack for his fish,” he says.
Treece not only tends to hundreds of fish and customers, he cares for an equally impressive number of children. He’s the father and stepfather to ten children, ranging in age from three to 20. His household can be described in one word, he says: “loud.”
While most fathers rarely or never take their kids to work, Treece’s family lives on his business property. Customers often encounter one or more of his children scampering through the store. Treece often brings his youngest along while he works, and expects his older kids to pitch in with tasks like cleaning out the tanks. Treece likes having his children around because he can keep a closer tab on them. Not surprisingly, the former Marine describes himself as a “strict Dad.” “I’m always aware of what’s happening,” he says, with a laugh. “Not much gets past me.”
But Treece also has a soft side. He makes a special effort to give each child individualized attention. He found his passion with saltwater tanks, so he wants his children to discover and pursue their passion, no matter what it may be.
“Each child does something different, from horseback riding to hockey,” he explains. “This gives them something to be proud of and helps them to not compete against one another.”
Although managing a business and a blended family can feel crazy at times, Treece loves the direction his life has taken. Compared to the stress of being in multiple tours of duty with the Marines, taking care of fish and children — even a whole lot of both — is a pretty nice deal, he says. “Life is good.”
