Setting up an Aquarium Maintenance Business
Part III: Selecting What's Right for Your Client
by Jay Shaw
Aquarticles
There are many things to consider when you evaluate the installation of a system at a
place of business. Don't be afraid to trade ideas with your client and be sure to always
keep your client's interests at heart….not yours!!
Location
This very important and must not be taken lightly. You must examine all the possibilities
and decide on the best location for the tank. Always keep natural light, traffic,
viewability, tank weight and ease of maintenance in consideration. Be sure that the
location you choose is also acceptable to the client. Check the location to make sure it's
level and that you have access to power. Some rooms are very difficult to work with and
may need some prior prepping.
Tanks
Some tanks just do not belong in some rooms. You must take the room's shape and furniture
into consideration when selecting a tank. If your customers have a particular tank in
mind, explain your ideas, they may like them! Avoid odd shaped tanks. Irregular shapes do
not look good free-standing in a room. If the tank will stand against a wall, you have
more choices of tank style.
Fish
This can be a tricky one. Most "non" fish hobbyists struggle with fish selection
and compatibility. They don't understand that all fish do not live happily together and
that water conditions can be different for each fish. ("Water is just
water….isn't it?!"). This is your time to do your favourite part of the
job…the explaining. Try to listen to your customers to get a general idea of size and
colours they are looking for. It's always a good idea to carry a book with fish pictures,
or make your own with commonly found fish, so that they can see the different varieties of
fish. Try to suggest a few ideas and guide them through fish selection. Once you have a
good idea of what they want, do some homework. Put together a list of compatible and
available fish. You should also list an estimated price per fish. This will give your
clients an idea on fish costs, which may influence fish chosen. Have your clients choose
suitable fish with your guidance.
Tank Décor
Now this may go hand in hand with the fish chosen or it may not. You'll need to explain
live plants vs. plastic or silk. You may decide to use both. You will also need to discuss
rockwork or wood. You will find most of the time that your customer will leave this up to
you and will have very little input ("just make it pretty!"). I find décor
design to be one of the best parts about this work. You can use your imagination and
create a living piece of art! I always try to keep designs different. If customers have
chosen a similar tank style and décor as the guy down the road, I tell them. I will bet
100% that they want something better created than that of the guy down the road. This will
also expand your horizons, and give potential future clients ideas on what they might
like.
Maintenance Schedule
This is another small but not minor detail. You should inform your clients about the tasks
you will be performing. Estimate how much time you need to do your work, and how often.
Tasks will change in the first few months, but once the tank has settled, it will
stabilise. You won't have too much algae in the beginning but may have in later months.
Monitor the tank quite closely for the first few months. Run water tests and catch
problems before they happen. After a few months you will settle into a routine and things
will run quite smoothly. Whatever you decide as a schedule, make sure it works for you and
your customers. Try to avoid busy times and after hours. After hours service involves keys
to doors and alarm codes. The less extra responsibility the better!
How you run your business is totally up to you. Try to become as organised as possible.
The more tanks you look after the more things you need to keep track of. When you arrive
at your clients' businesses, the more organised you look, the better they will feel. Try
to keep things simple for yourself and your client!!
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