Office aquarium

longstocking

longstocking

Members
Since I know there are a few people on here that have either owned a LFS or worked for dr's that have tanks.

What is the going rate that people charge to keep up tanks in a office? Aquarium maintenance.

I have a friend asking me to take over for someone that I guess they are not happy with.

So my question is what do I charge? I have no idea lol...

Also what are some other things I might need to know? Like, how often I should go in? They want me to stock the tanks.... what do I charge ( my price or retail )? I have enough connections ( I think ) To get wholesale on most things they would want. Or I can stock the tanks through you guys :) So it would help CCA members as well!

I think this is more than one tank. Do I charge hourly? Or do I charge by the tank?

So many questions... lol

I would never normally do this... but it's a friends work place. But I need to know what all is involved before I say yes. So any tips etc would be great !
 
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mscichlid

mscichlid

Founder
There is a guy at the meetings named Tony who does it part time. And I'm sure Andrew Blumehagen will chime in shortly.
 
DiscusnAfricans

DiscusnAfricans

Past President
I've never performed the work myself, but I work in an office that has an aquarium that is maintained by an independent contractor.

We have a 125 gallon FOWLR saltwater tank with about 6 fish.

Our serviceman visits twice a month and charges $75 per visit. This does not usually include food or livestock. I believe we pay retail, but I'm not sure.

The maintenance is minimal (clean glass, vacuum substrate and top off water). He does not service the filters or change water. I'm frankly surprised the fish live and amazed at what my company pays for the amount of work performed.
 
Reel Addiction

Reel Addiction

Members
I would charge retail for the fish. Figure out how long it will take you and figure how much your time is worth. If you give a price based on that you will be happy doing the work. If they think its too high then dont do it.

You dont want to feel your working for less than you deserve.
 
YSS

YSS

Members
I almost took over the maintenance of my dentist's fish tank, but I didn't. Didn't have time to do it. Good luck!
 
Charlutz

Charlutz

Members
Remember, it's their tank and it won't be up to your standards, so set your expectations low on being happy with it. You'll need fish that will survive overfeeding for weeks between your visits. And fish that might survive if nobody notices that a filter doesn't restart after a power outage or if one fish is sick. Price it high and retail+premium for the fish. If a fish dies quickly you can give them a free one without cutting into your profit margin. Figure out what it will cost, add in a healthy profit and then double it. :) If you do that, you'll wind up hopefully breaking even and only be at 50% of what other people charge. :D
 
Andrewtfw

Andrewtfw

Global Moderators
One main reason why I cut back on clients was time. Anytime something went wrong or did not look right to the owner, I was expected to get over there asap. So a monthly maintenance. Was sometimes more frequent.
 
dogofwar

dogofwar

CCA Members
I ran a maintenance business in high school... I charged $40/hr...and that was circa '89.

As much as it's tempting to set up tanks that would be cool for a hobbyist... remember that easy, colorful and non-aggressive will please the masses more than expensive brown fish that hide a lot. They'll tell you about it if they don't like what they see. Or (worse) do what a dentist client of mine did: add a bunch of "cool" fish to the tank (gars, etc.).

Matt
 
dogofwar

dogofwar

CCA Members
For my business, I put together a two page agreement listing my responsibilities (clean and stock the tank, clean the filter monthly, respond within 24 hours to calls, etc.), the customer's responsibilities (feed per instructions, turn the lights on an off, call me if there are problems, maintain power, etc.), a liability clause (basically that you're not responsible for any damage resulting from the tank, etc.) and the rates for service.

People are going to do what they want to do: add fish, drop pennies in the tank, overfeed...you name it.

That's why you charge an hourly rate to clean up the mess.

Matt

mscichlid said:
Formulating a contract and adding that as a claus could be a deterrent.
Click to expand...
 
Tony

Tony

Alligator Snapping Turtle/Past Pres
For stocking, if you're looking to go with cichlids, you can't go wrong with 3-4 different types of mbuna. Entertaining, colorful and most importantly, durable.
 
longstocking

longstocking

Members
I have no idea how big the tanks are or how many yet. I might have 20 gallons.. who knows. I would not stock them with Tangs.... unless they have a 240 ... maybe frontosa then. I know tangs do not appeal to the majority of people.

I would want to sit down with the owner first and see if I can make him happy with his tanks. Remember he is not happy with who ever is doing them now. He might be one of those people you cannot please.

Just need an idea of what to charge. Definitely a contract realeasing me of any possible damage etc.
 
Charlutz

Charlutz

Members
I don't even think you can do mbuna. No solitary confinement tanks to remove a bully or beaten fish. Nobody to look at the tank each day and tell you when a fish is getting abused. Find out what the tank looks like and then pick what you want to put in it. The client might also have a definite idea of a required species.
 
longstocking

longstocking

Members
Heck they might want a planted tank with neons card. and discus. I will do what makes them happy... not me. They are paying me to make a tank they like.

I will say... I will try and set them up as breeding tanks. So I can pull fry ;)
 
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