Our Knowledgeable Staff

Marcye Sweeney
Owner
Years as Aquarist:
30
Bio:
Marcye Sweeney has been involved in saltwater fish keeping since 1976 when she and friends from Rutgers University collected inverts from the Jersey shore and worked to design systems to keep them alive.
In her 30 years as an aquarist, she has kept both fresh and saltwater systems. She has been involved with animal rescue, conservation issues and several environmental reform agencies. As a news journalist Marcye wrote several articles dealing with Central Florida Environmental issues and highlighted agencies and programs working towards salvaging the wilderness of the state.
In 1990, as editor of her college newspaper, she was instrumental in widespread campus reform, was awarded an Excellence in Investigative Reporting from Ohio State University for stateside coverage of the Gulf War and was voted Student of the Year at the college where she maintained a perfect 4.0 average.

For eleven years, as an employee for the Seminole County School System, she was the advisor for the environmental program Earthwild which won several awards as a top program for youths nationally. The club involved kids 10-16 and served hundreds of students in the eleven years Marcye was involved. In her final year with the school district, she was also advisor for the student newspaper.
She was twice voted Employee of the Year at the school she worked and was first runner up for the district in 2001, proving her dedication, caring nature and strong work ethic.

Marcye brings these same values to Sea in the City. She is dedicated to providing customers with aquarium specimens that are ethically caught, tank raised or grown in Sea in the City’s own on-site farm.
Marcye's Tank Set-Up:
10 Gallon Nano Reef
37 Gallon Freshwater
46 Gallon Planted Freshwater
90 Gallon Reef
3500 Gallon Backyard Pond, Natural System

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Tom Sweeney
Co-Owner
Years as Aquarist:
30
Bio:
Tom recently retired as co-owner of Best Plumbing and Remodeling based out of Oviedo. He helped found the company with sons Craig, Rusty and Derick. He has been involved in plumbing and home remodeling for 37 years and brings to Sea in the City an abundance of knowledge that sets us apart from most companies in the area of tank installations. He is a master of flow dynamics after years of working with everything from home plumbing to large commercial projects that required moving water several stories high.

In addition, Tom worked with the engineering department at Disney to install the self flush bathroom facilities there, and as a co-owner of Icon Systems designed and implemented computer based remote plumbing systems in prisons nationwide. (Yes, I can proudly say my husband has been in some of the best prisons in the country...)

Tom worked as a project manager at both Yale and Johns Hopkins Universities in regards to Electronic Plumbing uses in the Medical Field. When installing tanks, Tom "hard plumbs" the systems rather than just attaching hoses and tubes. He employs various plumbing features that include gate and regular valves to allow flow regulation, quick disconnects to allow for easier maintenance and designs adjustable dursos that can be "tuned" for better flow and less noise.

He currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Central Florida Better Business Bureau, a role reserved for top businessmen in the area who show strong ethical business practices. Have a plumbing question or problem? Tom's your man!
Tom's Tank Set-Up:
10 Gallon Nano Reef
37 Gallon Freshwater
46 Gallon Planted Freshwater
90 Gallon Reef
3500 Gallon Backyard Pond, Natural System

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Matthew Howard
Lighting and Filtration Design
Years as Aquarist:
3
Bio:
Matt brings to Sea in the City a wide range of skills and experience. He’s a graduate of the Computer Engineering program at the University of Florida and is currently enrolled in the Electrical Engineering program at UCF where he will soon graduate with his Masters Degree. Along with his work at the store, he is currently involved in contract work in engineering projects with various companies. Matt is an excellent resource to clients who need advice or insight into lighting design, filtration solutions and possesses extensive knowledge of fish and corals. When not busy working, he enjoys photography, cars, billiards and his aquarium.
Matt's Tank Set-Up:
Matt’s had his current aquarium setup for 3 years. It’s a 90 gallon All Glass system with an AquaC 180 protein skimmer. His tanks focus is mostly rare SPS which he houses under 2x250W MH with VHO supplementation. His pride and joy, though, are the first two fish he ever bought which are happy and healthy in his tank…a pair of bar gobies.

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Ed Wilson
Sea in the City Staff
Years as Aquarist:
10
Bio:
Ed Wilson is a third generation Florida native, born and raised in Fort Myers. He is a recent graduate of the University of Florida (Go Gators!), and is with us now while he finishes his law degree at Barry University School of Law. Ed has over ten years in the fish hobby, but was acquainted with the ocean from a very young age. Growing up in southwest Florida, Ed spent his childhood on Sanibel and Captiva where he developed an interest in everything aquatic. His favorite pastimes include fishing, boating, diving, and waterskiiing. Ed has 2 years of retail experience in the fish industry, and is a dedicated Sea in the City employee. Having ten years of experience he is well versed is coral husbandry, and also is quite knowledgeable with reef lighting and equipment. As with all Sea in the City employees, Ed is here to answer all of your questions and often provides a great deal of insight.
Ed's Tank Set-Up:
Ed currently has a 75g mixed reef tank. His tank is predominantly SPS, with all the proper accompaniments, such as a closed loop circulation pump, metal halide lighting, and a chiller. Having very few fish, the most notable is a six-line wrasse named “saki” who has been with him for about 6 years. Ed has a few other inhabitants that have been with him even longer.

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