Starting an Aquarium Setup and Maintenance Business

[johnbob]

I was at work today helping customers and one mentioned I should start my own business for helping people maintain and setup their aquariums. I was just curious to know if anyone on the boards has had a business like this, what some of the risks are, how well you were paid and if its worth it? Its great having a job at my lfs but I could really use the extra cash.
Thanks for any help at all.

 

[shogun323]

Originally Posted by Johnbob
I was at work today helping customers and one mentioned I should start my own business for helping people maintain and setup their aquariums. I was just curious to know if anyone on the boards has had a business like this, what some of the risks are, how well you were paid and if its worth it? Its great having a job at my lfs but I could really use the extra cash.
Thanks for any help at all.
I have gotten to know a few guys at my LFS and it seems alot of local LFS employees do a little maintenance moonlighting on the side around here. One guy I know charges $60 to $70 an hour. You need to have a bulletproof SLA for each client to sign to protect yourself as best as you can. It could definately be a great supplemental income for ya!!

 

[phixer]

https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/243440/aquarium-maintenance-as-a-job

 

[sepulatian]

LOL your avatars never cease to amaze me phixer! :hilarious

 

[tangman99]

Yeah, read Phixers link. My comments are in there.

 

[phixer]

Was trying to shrink this one into an avatar but it was too big.

 

[sharkboy13]

Originally Posted by Phixer

Was trying to shrink this one into an avatar but it was too big.
lol

 

[xdave]

I knew quite a few people that have done this, some small, some huge. If it's just you doing the actual labor you're better off doing it as a call me when you need me basis than having yearly contracts. I've known a lot of guys who discovered that maintaining other peoples tanks is back breaking work and were very sorry they had to work out the rest of the contract.

 

[johnbob]

Thanks for the info. There's not many people doing this in the area so I might start one up.

 

[xdave]

How do you know nobody does it? Start hitting all the medical buildings looking for tanks and see if any of them don't already have a "maintained by" sticker on them.

 

[xdave]

How do you know nobody does it? Start hitting all the medical buildings looking for tanks and see if any of them don't already have a "maintained by" sticker on them. i bet you run into a few Aquarium Adventure ones.

 

[xdave]

How do you know nobody does it? Start hitting all the medical buildings looking for tanks and see if any of them don't already have a "maintained by" sticker on them. I bet you run into a few Aquarium Adventure ones.
You'll have to get a vendors license and then find a wholesaler that will sell to someone that doesn't have a storefront.

 

[johnbob]

I was just thinking that nobody did because most of the customers at my lfs don't have anybody doing maintenance on thier tanks. But I'll definitely check around. I think there may be a some who use Aquarium Adventure but the only one I know of is almost 30-45 mins away from my area.

 

[earlybird]

My buddy wants me to get my captains license and become a charter boat captain. I just don't want to mix work with pleasure.