Price for Aquarium Maintenance?
- Thread starter stixx
- Start date
, but yeah the lady I know is lazy she does not work at all. $1 a gallon is pretty good, but just watch out for the extra fees. I know some stores charge extra if its reef. I can ask that lady about her helper if you want?A Reef Scene
New member
$1 per gallon is good. I used to charge 50.00 per hour.
TropTrea
New member
There are loads of ranges in price for mainenance contracts. Some of the variables are how often the visit, how much of it they do, how much you do, how far are they traveling, and who is liable for the live stock if something goes wrong.
On a general note they will usually have a set monthly amount, plus a set amount for the numbber of visits they do per month, and a additional charge per gallon. Some may also add in a fuel charge dependent upon distance.
For a 125 gallon reef tanks I have seen variable prices ranging from $150.00 per month to over $500.00 per month from the same place. The big difference being the degree of service the customer wanted.
Dennis
On a general note they will usually have a set monthly amount, plus a set amount for the numbber of visits they do per month, and a additional charge per gallon. Some may also add in a fuel charge dependent upon distance.
For a 125 gallon reef tanks I have seen variable prices ranging from $150.00 per month to over $500.00 per month from the same place. The big difference being the degree of service the customer wanted.
Dennis
TheGrog
Member
I have heard of a local store charging $50 per hour (1 hour min) for maintenance. They can do a 10% water change and clean filters in that time easy. They bring thier own water mix and take the old stuff with them.
I am trying to get a job with them right now doing that.
If you are looking for someone to do yours, PM me and we can arrange something.
I am trying to get a job with them right now doing that.
If you are looking for someone to do yours, PM me and we can arrange something.
sellout007
New member
The company I work for charges $75 a hour. We come out, do a water change usually 30g on that size tank, more if needed though. If you want RO water we can bring that for .50 a gallon.
We do a water change, clean all sides of tank, check water paramaters, change all filters etc etc. If you have stuff that you dose with we dose that as well.
Any filter pads, food salt etc, if we have to provide it they charge you. If you have your own it saves you alot of money.
We do a water change, clean all sides of tank, check water paramaters, change all filters etc etc. If you have stuff that you dose with we dose that as well.
Any filter pads, food salt etc, if we have to provide it they charge you. If you have your own it saves you alot of money.
sellout007
New member
If you really think about it, its not completely out of the question. You are used to being really hands on. Most people arent, and some want to and just don't have the time. Do you do your own car mait? Furance mait?
The person has to drive to the customers house, pay for gas, service the tank, drive home... etc etc. So they invest for an hour of service sometimes up to 2 1/2 hours of their time and money for gas and mileage on their car.
Most services make people pay for their own additives and chemicals. Otherwise you make no money.
Pufferpunk
New member
When someone quotes $1/g, is that per visit?
sellout007
New member
How many visits is that, what food is included, what service does he do to the tank?
Just curious as to how involved he gets.
I used to do a few, and mostly got around $60 or so. They provided all supplys, or I would bring them with me - they paid for them though. I did this "on the side" when I worked at the pet store. It seems like good money, but after being there 1-1.5 hours plus travel time, going to the fish store if they needed fish or supplys - it usually took up the better part of the afternoon. For maintenance officially through the LFS, $1 per gallon seems about right, although you could probably get it for $100 per visit. Hopefully they have insurance.
