reefin_with_jesus
Member
I'm going to be setting up and maintaining a reef tank for my vet. I was wondering if any of you have ever done this, and if so what's the ballpark charge for this kind of service? Thanks. Lance.
Maintaining someone else's tank
- Thread starter reefin_with_jesus
- Start date
reefin_with_jesus
Member
There has to be someone out there that has done this?
drew_tt
Member
around here, average cost for a mediochre set up is about $25-30 (Canadian)/hour...
if youre real good, some do charge a huge inital cost, then a smaller fee for frequent maintenance... there are a lot of the 'average' ones around here, although unadvertised, its not something you can easily make a full-time career out of...
but great for some extra ca$h
Drew
if youre real good, some do charge a huge inital cost, then a smaller fee for frequent maintenance... there are a lot of the 'average' ones around here, although unadvertised, its not something you can easily make a full-time career out of...
but great for some extra ca$h
Drew
broomer5
Active Member
Hi Lance,
Depending on the reef tank size and how much time it would take to initially set it up, then the amount of time you plan to spend maintaining it, the price you charge him/her is entirely up to the two of you to negotiate.
Set up the tank and all equipment/lighting/skimmer, etc
Sandbed, live rock, fill tank, etc.
Cycle the tank
Water tests
Mixing new saltwater
Water changes
Top offs
Water quality adjustments
Cleaning
General weekly maintenance
Extensive monthly maintenance
Will the vet do daily/weekly routines, or are you going to have to do everything - and he/she just feeds the fish ?
Things I would have to consider if I was going to "charge" someone to set up and maintain a remote tank.
How much time do I spend on my own tank.
Who supplies the freshwater ? On site RO or RO/DI ? or do I have to haul in water ?
Who buys the supplies ( not pays for it ) but goes out and buys the stuff to have on hand.
How far away from my house is this remote reef tank ?
What supplies will I need to furnish vs. what the owner is going to supply, such as test kits, saltmix, necessary on site maintenance equipment, etc.
What is my free time worth to me, and will taking care of a remote reef tank interfere with my own tanks and personal life.
I've never charged anyone for help - but I guess if I did, I would estimate my services at;
Initial tank set up if owner buys everything - $200.00 to $250.00 depending on size of tank and equipment.
Mixing the saltwater, getting it to temperature and salinity, laying down the sandbed, filling the tank, cycling with owner bought live rock - $100.00 to $200.00 depending on size of tank.
First few weeks during cycle, testing water and monitoring cycle - $20.00 / hour
Weekly maintenance - no less than $25.00 / hour
It all depends ..... is this vet's reef tank a 10 gallon nano or a 300 gallon monster reef ?
Depending on the reef tank size and how much time it would take to initially set it up, then the amount of time you plan to spend maintaining it, the price you charge him/her is entirely up to the two of you to negotiate.
Set up the tank and all equipment/lighting/skimmer, etc
Sandbed, live rock, fill tank, etc.
Cycle the tank
Water tests
Mixing new saltwater
Water changes
Top offs
Water quality adjustments
Cleaning
General weekly maintenance
Extensive monthly maintenance
Will the vet do daily/weekly routines, or are you going to have to do everything - and he/she just feeds the fish ?
Things I would have to consider if I was going to "charge" someone to set up and maintain a remote tank.
How much time do I spend on my own tank.
Who supplies the freshwater ? On site RO or RO/DI ? or do I have to haul in water ?
Who buys the supplies ( not pays for it ) but goes out and buys the stuff to have on hand.
How far away from my house is this remote reef tank ?
What supplies will I need to furnish vs. what the owner is going to supply, such as test kits, saltmix, necessary on site maintenance equipment, etc.
What is my free time worth to me, and will taking care of a remote reef tank interfere with my own tanks and personal life.
I've never charged anyone for help - but I guess if I did, I would estimate my services at;
Initial tank set up if owner buys everything - $200.00 to $250.00 depending on size of tank and equipment.
Mixing the saltwater, getting it to temperature and salinity, laying down the sandbed, filling the tank, cycling with owner bought live rock - $100.00 to $200.00 depending on size of tank.
First few weeks during cycle, testing water and monitoring cycle - $20.00 / hour
Weekly maintenance - no less than $25.00 / hour
It all depends ..... is this vet's reef tank a 10 gallon nano or a 300 gallon monster reef ?
reefin_with_jesus
Member
Thanks alot Broomer for the lengthy reply. The tank I'm talking about is a 55 gallon. I will be doing everything but feeding it and doing the daily doses of chemicals in the morning. I'll be stopping at least once, maybe twice a week. That depends on what the vet decides to do with it. All I know right now is that he would like a reef tank, but I haven't met with him yet to discuss just how much $$ that will cost. He may change his mind then. Thanks everyone for your replies.
Thanks everyone for your replies.