FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Maintenance is priced by tank size: Up to 100 gallons: As needed, no commitment: $150 per visit Monthly service: $125 per visit Twice a month: $100 per visit ($200/month) Over 100 gallons: As needed, no commitment: $200 per visit Monthly service: $175 per visit Twice a month: $150 per visit ($300/month) Every visit includes water testing, a partial water change, glass cleaning, and cleaning of filter socks, filters, and the skimmer. Add-ons: Deep equipment cleaning with citric acid: $20 to $40, depending on equipment and sump size RO/DI water delivered to you: $50 for up to 100 gallons Vacation feedings: starting at $20 Tank installs and teardowns start at $150. Relocations start at $400 for tanks up to 100 gallons and $600 for tanks over 100 gallons. Business display tanks are quoted after a free consultation, since every space and system is different. I offer discounts for educators and for clients with more than one tank. The first consultation is always free.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
It starts with a conversation. I ask about your setup, your goals, and how long you've been keeping fish, and I'll usually ask for a few photos of the tank. Then we set up a free consultation. We talk through what your system needs and I give you honest expectations. A stable tank takes time, and I'd rather tell you that up front than have you chasing quick fixes. Once we set a schedule, visits are consistent. I arrive with water ready, ask where you'd like the old water to go (freshwater keepers, it's great for the garden), test, clean, and finish by walking you through how things look and when I'll be back. If something goes wrong between visits, you call me directly.
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
I worked for a bigger aquarium service company for years and kept seeing the same thing: people would get excited about a new tank, get sold equipment and additives they didn't need, and then quit when their fish kept dying. I wanted to recommend ethically sourced livestock, set realistic expectations, and actually teach my clients about their tanks. That wasn't a priority where I was, so I started my own business to do it that way.