I was asked to maintain a 100 gal tank in a Dr's office. I am clueless as to what to charge for this service. I was told the tank is over grown with algae, most of the fish have died and the rest are ill. I expect I will have to go in at least once a week to get the water conditions stabilized. Any suggestions would be wonderful!
What do I charge to do Aquarium Maintenance?
- Thread starter PhDBound
- Start date
Call up a local tank maintenance company and pretend you're the one with the problem. 
Remember though, they probably asked you for help in order to cut down on cost so don't get greedy! Personally, I would rip the tank apart and start over if at all possible. Sounds like you have a lot of work to do on it.
Remember though, they probably asked you for help in order to cut down on cost so don't get greedy! Personally, I would rip the tank apart and start over if at all possible. Sounds like you have a lot of work to do on it.
As far as fees for service, the phone call to a competitor would be the best way to find out.
As Far as the tank, I wouldn't tear down a 100 g in a doctors office unless things were really severe. I would prepare them for a couple of blackout periods, and explain that you need to do daily or every other day maintenance for a couple of weeks to get things cleaned up. Blackouts and water changes will do wonders. You may find that the fish are sick, you may find that they just aren't healthy and need some clean water.
Dave
As Far as the tank, I wouldn't tear down a 100 g in a doctors office unless things were really severe. I would prepare them for a couple of blackout periods, and explain that you need to do daily or every other day maintenance for a couple of weeks to get things cleaned up. Blackouts and water changes will do wonders. You may find that the fish are sick, you may find that they just aren't healthy and need some clean water.
Dave
Sometimes clients aren't patient and tearing it down may be the best plan. If the doc doesn't have Saturday hours you could hit it Friday night after his last patient. That way he would see something he could appreciate when he came in Monday.
I would also find out what went wrong with the last setup. Also, find out what type of effect is he looking for. Does he want a calming influence like with schools of cardinals and other peaceful tetras, relatively peaceful but fast moving like tiger barbs and zebra danios, colorful and some conflict like African Cichlids, etc. Don't try to get him to pick the fish. Just find out what he is after. Face it, if he is a pediatrician he doesn't want an office of crying upset kids because they saw a baby livebearer get eaten! :sad
God Speed!
I am assuming it wasn't planted with live plants. But on the off chance it was I find that you will either need to do a bleech dip or just replace the plants fi they have become too algae infested. Awhile ago I couldn't fo rth life of me figure out what was causing my green water. It turned out to be the hair grass plant that was dieing off. After I removed it the water turned clear by the next day.
As for charging. I would offer him an hourly rate plus expenses. The hourly rate shouldn't include the new fish and or plants as a tank of cichlids could quickly eat your profits (no pun intended).
As for charging. I would offer him an hourly rate plus expenses. The hourly rate shouldn't include the new fish and or plants as a tank of cichlids could quickly eat your profits (no pun intended).