Starting an aquarium maintenance business

Introduction to the Needs …

Note: Use this information at your own risk! Lantz Companies Inc (www.walltanks.com; www.kooltanks.com) assumes no responsibility.

Business Licenses

The cost of a business license is minuscule. Unless you plan to sell in a retail store, the stock price in most areas is about $ 25 per year. In addition, you must also obtain a special tax identification number of the sales tax. In order to acquire a tax identification number should contact local and state governments to create an account.

2. Business

• Business cards

One of the most important steps when starting a new service is the purchase business cards. In general, for $ 75 5000 cards can be printed in various colors. Please note that to gain the attention of a potential customer a more professional card be reflected in your business.

• Charter

It is very important to maintain professionalism at all times. One of the ways is through your head. Letterhead is typically used for sales letters, business correspondence, sales promotion, etc. First impressions are crucial to attract potential customers. When directed against high-end customers expect a certain level of professionalism.

Other marketing tools such as brochures and advertisements are essential to get the product to Potential customers, however, are not always necessary. Normally, depending on the quality of the brochure or advertising you choose, they can generally range in price from $ 50 – $ 500. There are many printers and graphic designers in your area that will handle this.

• Invoice book
• Appearance

The personal appearance of you and your employees is a very important detail. formal business attire is not required, either a golf shirt or regular shirt shirt with name of your company logo should be used. T-shirts with simple pocket embroidery, costs between $ 10 and $ 12 per shirt. Embroidered golf shirts cost about $ 15 to $ 19 shirt.

• Insurance

Do not stand at the door without some type of liability insurance or property damage. No matter how careful you can be both aquarium maintenance, accidents happen. Nothing will stop its business efforts faster than a claim for damage to property. Normally, running about $ 90 per month, with some variation of the types of policies available, it is really better to prevent than cure.

• Disclaimer

It is good business practice have some type of liability insurance base. It gives the client a sense of security and adds credibility to your business. A liability against the dying of fish and livestock, and leaking tanks and other collateral damage caused by leakage is included in the section "Sales."

3. Marketing

The biggest challenge in starting an aquarium maintenance service is the search for their customer base. By allowing a local pet store and friends to spend your business cards, primarily the sales representatives become free. Positive contact between a potential client and recommend others their service is really a product is priceless.

• Newspaper ads

The advertisement in a newspaper is considered inefficient and can be costly. A better approach would be to develop a catalog or brochure, you personally can leave potential employers.

• Show your name on the tank

Always show your name and number somewhere in the tank. Always ask your client first and then offer a one month free or free fish. Invest in some cards Business or labels can be left in or around their tanks.

• Radio / TV Advertising
• Keep the stain

Most people associate a stain tank with a healthy environment. Do not try to argue this point. You do yourself a favor and promoting your business clean running as a service.

4. Customer Service

If the search for new customers is the most difficult aspect of this business, its implementation is a close second. Depending their local area, your company can become very competitive if you are not the only service provider. Keeping your customers happy means more than just cleaning of their aquariums. It is important to go "beyond that" and maintaining a first class service. Flexible hours of service and "on call" availability is vital for success. For example, restaurants and other businesses usually close at very late hours. During their hours of business customers do not want their clients viewing of a cleaning service. "The Hours" or later provide to their customers now keep you happy and put you above your competitors.

On call availability is important. Customers can and will call at the strangest times that may be important to give them access to a pager number. Not only to schedule appointments, but to ask questions or report any emergency. The escape of large fish tanks kill, you will be the first customer to call when there is a problem with your aquarium. If not available, find someone else.

5. Aquarium Location

In considering the best chance for a maintenance depot location of some things in mind is crucial. You want the tank to be in a high traffic area with maximum exposure where it is easy to maintain, has an abundance of natural light without direct sunlight. More specifically, "Wall Aquariums" can only be installed inside wall without support.

Ask the customer to choose three areas that will study and make a checklist. Make sure that the final location has access to power and educate the client about why some areas may be necessary to prepare more.

6. Working with contractors

You have to work closely with a contractor unless licensed. Contractors can be found in the yellow pages and range from $ 50 – $ 70/hour on average. Average installation in an existing wall takes 12 hours of nothing to fish.

7. Financing Services

If the client wishes to finance the installation, payment plans are available in financial firms. It will pay 100% of the initial cost of customer service and the balance owed. These companies can be found in the Yellow Pages under "Finance companies."

8. Fish selection

Most "no" fish hobbyists struggle with selection of fish and compatibility. You must educate the client in understanding why some fish can live together and some can not. Listen to your client and obtain a general idea of the size and colors you want. Suggest species will help guide you through the selection of fish and their professional opinion is appreciated.

Once you have a good idea of what they want, do some homework. Prepare a list of compatible and available fish for the tank. Showing an estimated price per fish help customer.

9. Service Equipment

Gather all necessary equipment to run the service is simple and easy. Most tools can be found on your personal computer that they have acquired over the years.

You will need:

• Cube
• Aquarium Cleaning trap (the work of the battery operated nice)
• Algae Scraper (Acrylic environment)
• Fresh and test kits for salt water
• Filter media
• medicines fish (Melafix, Pemafix, Kich Ich, salt)
• Instant Ocean Bio-Spira (instant tank start)
• Food Fish
• 100% cotton towel

In addition to these elements, a filter housing that can be taken from one place to another would a good investment. You might also consider buying a laptop diatom filter to "polish" the water in your aquarium client. If you do not have these tools you can find a start-up team for $ 100 to $ 200.

10. Aquarium Set-up

• Water

1. Fill the tank with pure water. Culligan works well or you may want to invest in a unit R / O (reverse osmosis).
2. Add the appropriate amount of water conditioner to neutralize chlorine.
3. Add a starter or two fish.
4. Test levels of ammonia and nitrate.
5. Anywhere waiting 2-5 days after the results of tests may introduce more fish.
• Test the ammonia and nitrate levels in each time the tank is repaired to be very aware of the problems is not.
• In the case of a sudden death of fish, test the water to see if anything has changed.
• Lighting

Depending on your customer's tank 'Photoperiod' the ideal (the length of time the aquarium is illuminated) is between two and four hours of salt water and six to eight hours of fresh water.

If algae is a problem in the tank, a contributing factor is usually too much light. Reduce artificial lighting time to eight hours, or a little less necessary.

Covering light on a timer is essential in creating a controlled environment.

• Temperature

Most people prefer aquarium water temperatures around 77 ° F. Normally, if the water temperature increases above 80 ° F or below 72 ° F, disaster is imminent. Secure the heater as shown and place a thermometer so far from the heater as possible in a easy to read.

• Filtration

Follow the instructions included with the appropriate filter to the established system. The filter cleans the water tank and delivers oxygen vital to fish and should be left on 24 hours a day.

There are three types of filtration to be educated in: mechanical, chemical and biological weapons.

• The mechanical filtration (removing pieces of debris in the water) works by passing water through a screen, a piece of sponge, or through a floss material.

• Filtering chemical works by passing water through small pieces of carbon. The carbon removes ammonia molecules like water.

• Filtering biological works of certain types of bacteria that live on land and in the filter. These bacteria remove ammonia and nitrite in water (see next section).

Most filters are clean mechanically and biologically, if not all three.

11.Understanding nitrogen cycle (Fish make Waste – Bacteria get rid of waste).

• The biological filtration process:
1. fish for beginners are introduced to the aquarium.
2. The waste ammonia begins to build up (toxic).
3. Bacteria start growing that the use of ammonia.
4. ammonia level starts to lower the level of nitrite is based (Toxic).
5. Bacteria start growing that the use of nitrites.
6. nitrite level begins to lower nitrate levels slowly rise (much less toxic.)
7. The water changes and nitrate level drops.
8. More fish are introduced.
• These bacteria are called aerobic bacteria, and they need oxygen. The best fuel to have well-aerated water and plenty of places to grow.
• A new tank is not ready for a full load of fish because the biological filter has not built yet. Slowly add fish during scheduled visits aid in water quality.

12. Water Changes

• Cleaning frequency

You have to do a water change 20% every two weeks. This would be a partial cleanup. If the customer prefers fewer visits, a change of 30% water can be done every three weeks, but will cost more. One important change is the water is only necessary if the tank has not been cleaned long time.

Clean your aquarium in the following order:

1. Within the walls of the aquarium
2. Decorations (rocks, plants, etc)
3. Gravel
4. Filter
5. Out & Accessories

Cleaning the interior walls will make the particles of debris falling on the plants, decorations, and gravel, so it is best to clean them first. Removal of plants and decorations that waste will fall to the bottom, so keep at bay the gravel cleaning up the plants and decorations have been taken out. In addition, the gravel is much easier to clean once the plants and rocks were removed. Clean the inside of the tank will cause the outside to get dirty, so clean the outside past.

Algae Pads

Begin the cleaning process, giving a good acrylic clean inside. Everything you need for this is an algae scraper acrylic or sponge. There are a variety of algae scrapers on the market, long handled scrubbers magnetic scrubbers. Buy your scrapper algae in a pet store instead of the home goods department in a regular store. Although the pills may seem It is also possible that a soap or chemical residue on them from the manufacturing process. A residue will not affect your kitchen sink, but may leave a film lethal in your aquarium.

For particularly stubborn residue on the sides, use a razor blade in plastic, as standard razors scratch acrylic.

Bleach

Once the interior walls are clean, remove any rocks, artificial plants, decorative items that have significant algae growth, or visibly soiled. Do not clean with soap or detergents. It is very difficult to completely remove soap, and even the smallest trace can be lethal to fish. Usually a good scrubbing with algae scraper will remove algae and dirt from the rocks and plants. For particularly difficult cleaning problems, prepare a solution of 10% bleach (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) and enjoy the elements for 15 minutes. Scrub any remaining residue off, rinse well with tap water and air dry to remove any residual chlorine. Leave rocks, decorations and plants out of the tank while vacuum the gravel. Any way woke remains of gravel will settle on them.

Get a new bucket and designate for use only aquarium. Using a spoon that has been contaminated products household chemicals may result in loss of fish.

Siphon

Clean the gravel next by a siphon to suck the debris tank in a bucket. There are several types of siphons available, all of which work essentially the same. Be sure to empty all of the gravel thoroughly so that all waste is eliminated.

Cleaning glass and lime

Once inside the aquarium is cleaned, the hood, light, tank top, and the external lens can be cleaned. Only use cleaners designated as aquarium safe. Regular cleaning of glass containing ammonia which is toxic to fish. standard cleaning products cal even more toxic. Use cleaning products safe and rinse tank. Do not rub the acrylic with paper towels or any product derived from wood. Wear a shirt 100% cotton or a towel.

Filter Cleaning

After doing a partial cleaning and has been four weeks since I last cleaned the filter, it's time to clean again. If you did a major water change you may want to wait until the next visit to clean the filter. The reason for this is not visible eye. The main cleaning just made has disturbed the colonies of bacteria in plants, rocks and gravel. Fortunately, a significant number of bacteria beneficial to remain in the filter media which means that have not been completely altered the ecosystem. However, if you changed the filter at the same time, you could end up with a significant increase in ammonia levels due to the lack of beneficial bacteria. For that reason, it is wise to give a break tank before removing the filter and clean.

In most cases the filter has the media containing carbon, ammonia absorbers, or resins ion exchange, and must be replaced if more than four weeks old. After a couple of weeks the absorbing qualities the media have exhausted, and bacterial colonies are not enough elsewhere to compensate for its retreat. If you have two filters, one clean per visit.

Their package prices should include installation, landscaping, fill the tank with water, cleaning fish and aquarium in the first month. You must provide a 5 to 10% discount on a service contract 6 months as indicated in the example "Sales Contract."

• Loads

Service fees are based on competition and the target demographic. The charges below are suggested and should fit your area.

Service programs include:

• Scheduled visits every two months ( can be adjusted to meet the needs of customers)
• Water changes (see changes of water)
• Delivery of equipment, supplies and the environment as requested by the client
• free consultation
• makeovers fish tank
• Fish storage
• Equipment replacement and upgrades
• Water quality improvement
• Medical treatment of fish diseases

16.Sales Procedure

Set aside certain hours or days a week for sales and stick to programming. During this time you will approach companies and introduce themselves same as the product line.

If the client wishes to finance a package or service, contact the "Finance Company" (see Finance Company) and will have to complete the work before receiving payment.

• customer concerns and frequently asked questions

Concern: I have not enough money now to cover the package prices.
Answer: No problem, the total amount can be financed and is also a tax write for commercial customers.

Concern: I do not want to clean the aquarium in front of my clients.
Answer: No problem, we can come after business hours for business customers.

Question: How I can access the cleaning deposit if you are on the wall?
Answer: Access edge hidden under a picture-frame style or an access panel where the changes in the top part open.

Question: How electricity is supplied to an aquarium on the wall?
Answer: A start will be mounted inside the wall in front of the aquarium.

Question: How do fish eat when I'm Vacation?
Answer: A fish feeder automatic fish feeding up to two weeks for freshwater fish. We also offer a food service vacation.

Question: What if the tank leaks?
Answer: It is extremely rare however, is under manufacturer's warranty for one year.

18. Tips

Here are some tips and suggestions that can make things a little easier.

1. If you have a computer, make use of it. Most clients have a computer and it makes for a great way to communicate. Email is a wonderful way to connect with their customers, send invoices, and allows them to ask questions when you are not in your area.

2. Teach your clients and their employees about food and the filter system. Show what to do in an emergency and to teach them to recognize problems before they get out of hand. Always train at least two employees in the power methods.

3. Keep your customers up in the system and any changes you make. Never allow things to become a surprise. Customers tend to frown brow to sudden changes made without their consent.

4. Investing in the maintenance tools that are easy to use and does not create a mess. Changes water with a bucket of 5 gallons are an accident waiting to happen. Find methods that are easy to use and clean.

5. Control of algae. The number of customers a concern. A dirty tank delivers the wrong message to customers of its customers. Use fish species, lighting control, feeding programs and good removal tools. Just remember these tanks are acrylic and zero if it is rubbed with an abrasive material. Use a towel 100% cotton towels instead of paper. Paper towels are a byproduct of wood and acrylic can scratch.

6. Great customer service means being patient. Not everyone will understand water sports to do. Things that are simple can be more difficult for others to understand. Try to be well versed in the basic principles that be told again and again. Treat everyone with respect, you may be talking to one of the valued customers of his client.

7. fish kills are a part of this business. Learn to be sympathetic, but firm. Some fish deaths are unpredictable, while others can be prevented. Develop a replacement for fish and stick to it. Replacement of some fish for free is no big deal, replacing a whole tank.

8. Try to keep abreast of new products and fish species. Do not be afraid to try new things, is the only way they will improve their skills. Invest in some good books and magazines, but it will be useful as a reference.

About the Author

Blaine Lantz owns and operates Lantz Enterprises Inc. A manufacturer of unique pet products including In-Wall Aquariums and Cat Walks.

http://www.bizarreaquariums.com

http://www.isabella-rose.com

http://www.wallcats.com

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