Ok Question.....

[mclain75]

Ok, I have the the opportunity, area, tools, knowledge, oh yeah... and an understanding wife!! to start building acrylic tanks. My question is, is there a demand for this in our area, or surrounding areas? Also I should be able to get into glass as well, So I'm looking to do frag tanks, breeder tanks all the way up to bigger tanks. Any input would be great! Even if you know of other areas. Thanks in advanced guys!

 

[Breakbeats2334]

Id slightly be interested in a frag tank in a yr or so but idk if theres a real demand for these things.

 

[daveverdo]

Sumps, overflow boxes, things like that may get things started. I don't know how many people would buy a large tank from someone just starting out.

 

[tommyz44]

social media is your best freind this day in age. A freind of mine manages local buisnesses social media pages (facebook twitter linkedin ect.) Im not sure how big of a market there would be around here. But looking at things like CPR style skimmers look really easy to make if your good with acrylic. Overflows im sure would be great. Sumps would sell im sure if the price was right not sure how much it would cost to make vs sell price. IMO best start is to invest just a small amount make a few things like overflows sumps ect and show them off. Use them for demos and for sale like if you made an overflow i personally dont need one but i would try it out. if i liked it even if i didnt buy it i would write a review for you to help local buisness out. Best start is get a handfull of reviews out to build a reputation. sorry for the long post :hmm4:

 

[byronsands]

A way to gauge local demand to is examine competition in the area. If there is none, that may be a bad sign rather then a good sign -- signifying low demand.

Also look at complementary businesses in the area. Are there many? Any high quality? If no, that may signify low demand. An LFS would be a complementary business.

Are you capitalized to be able to seed demand? In the case of acrylic tanks, are you positioned to identify several businesses in the area with high traffic locations that would allow you to install large tanks in their area at your expense to generate demand and traffic for your business through demonstration of your quality? To insure that the tanks remained ultra-appealing, you may even have to commit to maintaining the exhibits yourself.

Creating demand can be a slow and expensive process.

I have have only been in the area for several years, but my view of the first two points is that current local demand would be low. The lack of even a single quality local LFS says to me that the hobby is not currently a priority in the area at a volume to sustain a business building acrylic tanks.

That said, starting slow and not relying on income from the effort to maintain your family may create rewarding "paying" hobby for you.