Tank Maintance Cost

[Saltwater Guy]

I dont know if this is the right thread or not but does anyone know the going rate for a tank maintance compnay. The tank that will be maintained will be a 300g acrylic tank. Im not sure if it will be a reef or fo tank so if there is a difference in price please let me know. Thanks in advance.

 

[Julio]

well, alot of this will be determine by the electrical cost of your state, Here in NY we get killed with our tanks and electric bills, in my apartment with my tank i pay a good $250 a month over the summer and about $150 over the winter and cooler months since the chiller does not come on as often.

 

[Saltwater Guy]

the people that I will be maintaing the tank for have it set up and running but have had a local fish store maintain the tank for them. The owner of the store is a moron and is always looking for a way to make extra money and had advised them poorly. I have yet to see the tank and see what it is running but from what I hear its in bad shape. What I will be doing is getting it back in working order for them and then doing water changes and cleaning the tank and other manintance as needed.

I also have a wholesale connection which I only have to pay wholesale prices of fish and corals. I plan on ordering my fish for them through there and order any other filter parts etc through online stores.

I am not doing this as a business rather just to help a friend of the familys friend. Im not looking to make a ton of money just was told not to give my time away. I have no clue on what the going price for this type of service is.

 

[Julio]

well how big is the tank?

 

[RumLad]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10855725#post10855725 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Saltwater Guy
the people that I will be maintaing the tank for have it set up and running but have had a local fish store maintain the tank for them. The owner of the store is a moron and is always looking for a way to make extra money and had advised them poorly. I have yet to see the tank and see what it is running but from what I hear its in bad shape. What I will be doing is getting it back in working order for them and then doing water changes and cleaning the tank and other manintance as needed.

I also have a wholesale connection which I only have to pay wholesale prices of fish and corals. I plan on ordering my fish for them through there and order any other filter parts etc through online stores.

I am not doing this as a business rather just to help a friend of the familys friend. Im not looking to make a ton of money just was told not to give my time away. I have no clue on what the going price for this type of service is.

Call three or four local companies. Have them give you a quote for maintenace contract on the tank. That should give you a good starting point. You decide how much your time is worth, go way under the estimates, take an average, etc..

 

[Saltwater Guy]

the tank is a 300 gallon tank

 

[Julio]

well see how much your friend is paying and charge them %20 less.

 

[Julio]

every market is different though, i know here in NYC somone who has a 500 gallon fish only and a 500 gallon reef and they pay 50Gs a year to have someone maintain it.

 

[3mrhythm]

i know in Mass they charge 1$ per gallon usually some places add on mileage too.. eek

depends how lazy you are if its worth it