About Us
The Formation of First Due Aquatic Rescue, LLC.
First Due Aquatic Rescue, LLC was founded by Greg Kipp Jr., a husband, father, longtime paramedic, and passionate voice for reef and freshwater education in New York’s Capital Region. What began as a hobby soon became a healing outlet — and now, although we do make profits, we are a mission-driven business.
With over a decade of service as an EMT and paramedic in Columbia County, Greg’s work helping others during their worst days has shaped him in both heart and mindset. But like many in the emergency field, he also lives with the unseen weight of PTSD. In the rhythmic flow of water, the curiosity of fish behavior, and the science of coral systems, he found an anchor. Self-education in marine biology and aquaculture became the peace he needed — and it’s this passion he brings to every tank today.
Greg built First Due Aquatic Rescue to make aquariums more accessible, more meaningful, and more community-focused. Whether you're brand new to the hobby or building your dream reef, you're not just a customer — you're a partner in aquatic care.
What Sets Us Apart
- Sustainably sourced, high-quality corals
- No-pressure, education-first support
- Arrival alive guarantee on all coral shipments
- Local pickup in Albany, NY — no shipping fees
- Partnership with CapitalCoral, INC. — funding conservation & education
- We're not competing — we’re creating something meaningful
- Affordable setups designed for real people, not profit margins
- Personalized freshwater setups & beginner reef support
Greg’s Motto: “The love and care for aquatic life will always come before the pursuit of profit.”
Where Experience Meets Experimentation:
In addition to helping clients build thriving tanks, Greg maintains several of his own aquariums. One of his favorites is a 30-gallon freshwater setup from 1989, originally purchased by his father-in-law. After a brief retirement in the early 2000s, Greg restarted the tank in 2019—and to this day, it remains completely free of pests, diseases, and algae. He recently refreshed the setup and is excited to share the exact steps that led to its long-term success. Greg is also in the process of building a stunning 125-gallon mixed reef tank that will be used to showcase corals, while his dedicated 65-gallon system has been carefully stabilized and prepped over the last 9 months for coral stocking. Every tank is part of his hands-on approach to education, experimentation, and sharing the beauty of aquatic life with others.