Tropical fish tank cleaning

[Negseven]

Hi, thinking of starting up a fish tank cleaning offer, what do I need to take into account? There must be some sort of disclaimer, covering you if any fish get poorly/ die, was thinking of water change - tank vacuum and sides of tank cleaned, any thoughts & ideas? thanks

 

[Naughts]

I think what you will need depends on the potential scale of the business. A more formal outfit would maybe need a license??
If you were providing treatments (conditioner, fertiliser etc.) you'd need to ensure it was appropriate to that particular setup.
You'd have to have a routine to sanitise your equipment between customers to reduce the chances of introducing pathogens.
It would be a useful service for people who were older or in poor health, or just struggling for time.

 

[Negseven]

What sort of license?

 

[Naughts]

I've no idea lol! But if you had someone's keys while they were on holiday for example you should probably have a Criminal Record Check.
Then if you were successful maybe pet business insurance?

 

[sharkweek178]

I think what you will need depends on the potential scale of the business. A more formal outfit would maybe need a license??
If you were providing treatments (conditioner, fertiliser etc.) you'd need to ensure it was appropriate to that particular setup.
You'd have to have a routine to sanitise your equipment between customers to reduce the chances of introducing pathogens.
It would be a useful service for people who were older or in poor health, or just struggling for time.

I always figured that businesses with fish tanks, like doctors's offices or restaurants, hired someone to come in and take care of the tanks.

 

[Naughts]

I always figured that businesses with fish tanks, like doctors's offices or restaurants, hired someone to come in and take care of the tanks.

Me too, if they don't do it themselves.

 

[Negseven]

Ok thanks for reply’s

 

[sharkweek178]

Me too, if they don't do it themselves.

Around here, the biggest LFS provides this service. But in other areas, there could be an opportunity for synergy with an LFS. The LFS sells the equipment and fish and contracts someone to set it up who then provides an ongoing maintenance service.

 

[Aqua67]

A friend of mine owns a restaurant and they had a 72 gallon saltwater aquarium that was brought in and set up by the same company who services it. When a fish died, they replaced it, or they would change fish for different fish. I think it became a health code issue thing for him and he had to have it removed. Same with my friend who had a tank in their bar.

Now, if your company was the one who provided the aquarium, equipment, decor, and livestock to these doctors/dentists offices (etc) and could sell them on the idea of having one in their lobby, then you might be able to get a business rolling. You provide everything to create the aquatic scene in their lobby and they pay you to take care of it. That sort of thing might go hand in hand with a custom aquarium making company too.

Definitely networking with other companies would be a good way to help you get started, at the very least you’d get practice using your “1 minute pitch” to sell yourself. Don’t think that other companies are going to work as hard at getting business for you as you would though. If you’re lucky you could get them to mention your service on their website or perhaps even provide a link to your website (that also helps with search engine optimization on your own website). So you would have to market for yourself too.

How are you going to target those particular business owners? How many potential business owners do you have in your area? What size will be your serviceable area? Are you going to create a flyer or brochure, print up some business cards, then go in and start talking to receptionists, asking them to share this info with their office’s decision maker? Are you going to create a website so local people can find you and hire you?

How many businesses in your area already have aquariums and use an aquarium cleaning service? Is that a need in your area? You need to do a market survey.

You could also ask those businesses who already have a large aquarium in their lobby if they are happy with their aquarium cleaning service. Ask them if they could tell you the name of the company they use (if any). Then take note of what they tell you. You may find out if one company has the market in your area already cornered.

I hope some of this info will be helpful.

 

[Ichthys]

I’m sure you’d need some kind of insurance. What if fish died and the customer wanted to blame you?

 

[Essjay]

And insurance to cover accidental damage to the customers' property eg accidentally wetting their expensive carpet.

 

[Negseven]

A friend of mine owns a restaurant and they had a 72 gallon saltwater aquarium that was brought in and set up by the same company who services it. When a fish died, they replaced it, or they would change fish for different fish. I think it became a health code issue thing for him and he had to have it removed. Same with my friend who had a tank in their bar.

Now, if your company was the one who provided the aquarium, equipment, decor, and livestock to these doctors/dentists offices (etc) and could sell them on the idea of having one in their lobby, then you might be able to get a business rolling. You provide everything to create the aquatic scene in their lobby and they pay you to take care of it. That sort of thing might go hand in hand with a custom aquarium making company too.

Definitely networking with other companies would be a good way to help you get started, at the very least you’d get practice using your “1 minute pitch” to sell yourself. Don’t think that other companies are going to work as hard at getting business for you as you would though. If you’re lucky you could get them to mention your service on their website or perhaps even provide a link to your website (that also helps with search engine optimization on your own website). So you would have to market for yourself too.

How are you going to target those particular business owners? How many potential business owners do you have in your area? What size will be your serviceable area? Are you going to create a flyer or brochure, print up some business cards, then go in and start talking to receptionists, asking them to share this info with their office’s decision maker? Are you going to create a website so local people can find you and hire you?

How many businesses in your area already have aquariums and use an aquarium cleaning service? Is that a need in your area? You need to do a market survey.

You could also ask those businesses who already have a large aquarium in their lobby if they are happy with their aquarium cleaning service. Ask them if they could tell you the name of the company they use (if any). Then take note of what they tell you. You may find out if one company has the market in your area already cornered.

I hope some of this info will be helpful.

Thanks for lengthy reply