Starting an aquarium maintenance company
First steps … needs
Note: Use this information at your own risk! Lantz Enterprises Inc. (www.walltanks.com; www.kooltanks.com) assumes no responsibility.
Business Licenses
The cost of a license is minimal. Unless you plan sold in a retail store, the stock price in most regions is around $ 25 per year. In addition, you also need an identification number special tax on sales taxes. To acquire a tax identification number, contact local and state governments to create an account.
2. Business Essential
• Cards
One of the most important steps when starting a new service is the purchase cards. In general, for $ 75, it is possible 5000 cards printed in various colors. Note that to gain the attention of a potential customer a more professional card will be reflected in your business.
• Header
It is very important to maintain professionalism at all times. One way is through your head. The head is commonly used for sales letters, the First impressions commercial correspondence, sales promotion, etc are essential to attract potential customers. Targeting the high-end clients who expect a particular level of professionalism.
other marketing tools such as brochures and advertisements are essential to get your product to potential customers, but are not always necessary. Normally, according to the quality of the brochures or advertisements that you choose, you can usually range in price from $ 50 – $ 500. There are many print shops and designers graphics in your area that deals with that.
• Paper Invoice
• Appearance
The personal appearance of you and your employees is a detail very important. attire is not necessary, either a golf shirt or a regular shirt with your name and logo must be worn. T-shirts embroidered with simple direct cost between $ 10 and $ 12 per shirt. embroidered polo shirts cost about $ 15 to $ 19 per shirt.
• Insurance
Do not walk out the door without some kind of insurance liability or property damage. All that with what care may be simply an aquarium maintenance, accidents happen. Nothing will stop you faster a commercial trial of the damaged property. Operate normally around $ 90 per month, with some variations in the types of policies available, it is really Better safe than sorry.
• Disclaimer
It is good business practice to have some type of liability insurance base. It gives the customer and a sense of security and adds credibility to your business. A disclaimer against farmed fish and death and loss and other damages aquarium side caused by leakage is included in "sales."
3. Marketing
The greatest challenge to implement a maintenance service Aquarium is to find your customer base. By allowing a local store for pets and friends to your business cards, you essentially make them free sellers. positive contact between a potential client and others who recommend their service really is a priceless commodity.
• Newspaper Ads
ad in the paper is considered inefficient and can be costly. A better approach would be to develop a catalog or brochure, you can present to potential businesses.
• Show your name on the tank
Always show your name and phone number somewhere in the tank. Always ask permission first client and then offer a free month of service or fish free. Invest in business cards or stickers that can be left in or around their tanks.
• Advertising Radio / TV
• Keep the immaculate
Most people associate a tank spot with a healthy environment. Do not try to argue this point. You're going to do a favor and promote your company as a cleaning operation.
4. Customer Service
If new clients are the most difficult aspect of this business, its application is a close second. Depending on your region, companies can become very competitive if you are not the only service provider. Keep your customers happy means much more than cleaning their tanks. It is important to go "beyond that" and maintaining a high quality service. Having flexible hours service and on-call availability is vital for success. For example, restaurants and other businesses are closed until late at night. During their opening hours customers want their customers a cleaning service vision. Offer, or if "off hours" to both keep your customers happy and put it above its competitors.
The availability call is important. Customers can call and strange as it may often be important to give them access to a pager number. Not only for appointments, but we ask questions or report any emergency. Leaking tanks fish kills, first call the customer when there is a problem with your aquarium. If not available, find someone else.
5. Aquarium Location
When examining the best opportunities for having a shell site into account some factors is essential. You want the tank should be in an area with high The highest level of exposure to traffic where it is easy to maintain, has an abundance of natural light without direct sunlight. In particular, Aquariums Wall "can be installed on interior walls do not support.
Ask clients to select 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 need more preparation.
6. Working with contractors
You will work closely with a contractor unless authorized. The contractors can be found in the yellow pages and go 70/heure an average of $ 50 – $. Average installation in an existing wall takes 12 hours of nothing to fish.
7. Financial Services
If the client wishes to finance the facilities, payment plans are available at financial companies. It will pay 100% of anticipated cost of service and customer owes the balance. These companies can be found in the Yellow Pages of Finance Companies. "
8. Selection fish
Most "no" fish enthusiasts struggle with the selection of fish and consistency. You must inform the customer to understand why some can mix and others do not. Listen to your customers and get a general idea of the size and color they want. Offering cash to help guide the selection fish and their professional opinion would be appreciated.
Once you have a good idea of what they want, doing homework. Prepare a list of compatible and available fish for the tank. Notice an estimated price per fish will help customers.
9. Service Equipment
Gather all necessary equipment to run the service is simple and easy. Most tools can be found on your computer staff has acquired over the years.
You will need:
• Bucket
• Cleaning the gap Aquarius (Good job batteries)
• Algae Scraper (Acrylic friendly)
• equipment detect fresh and sea water
• Filters
• medicines fish (Melafix, Pemafix, Kiche-Ich, salt)
• Instant Ocean Bio-Spira (tank snapshot)
• Fish Food
• 100% cotton towel
Besides these articles, a filter cartridge that can be taken one place to another would be a good investment. You might also consider purchasing a filter diatomaceous Mobile to "polish" the water tank of his client. If you have does not have these tools, you may be initial equipment costs $ 100 to $ 200.
10. Aquarium Set-up
• Water
1. Complete Aquarium with pure water. Culligan major projects or can invest in an I / O (reverse osmosis).
2. Add the appropriate amount of water conditioner to neutralize the chlorine.
3. Add fish or two home.
4. Test the ammonia and nitrates.
5. Anywhere from 2-5 days later, pending the results of their tests may introduce more fish.
• Test the ammonia and nitrates every time the tank is provided so that you know very well invisible problems.
• In the case of sudden death of fish, water test to see if anything has changed.
• Lighting
Depending the tank of his client photoperiod "ideal" (the term the aquarium is on) varies from two to four hours for the salt water and six to eight hours of fresh water.
If algae is a problem in the tank, a contributing factor in general is too light. Reduce the time of eight hours of artificial light, or can be a little less necessary.
To round off the light in a timer is essential in creating a controlled environment.
• Temperature
Most people prefer water aquarium temperatures around 77 ° F. In general, if the water temperature rises above 80 ° F or below 72 ° F, disaster is imminent. Connect the radiator as shown and place a thermometer further from the stove as possible in an easy to read.
• Filtration
Follow the instructions that come with the filter on your set correctly. The filter cleans the water tank and provides oxygen vital to fish, you must leave within 24 hours the day.
There are three types of filtration that you must learn about mechanical, chemical and biological.
• Mechanical filtration (Disposal of waste water) water is passed through a screen, a small piece of sponge, or through a silk cloth.
• Filtration chemical works by passing water through small pieces of carbon. Removes carbon molecules such as ammonia.
• Filtration biological works of some types of bacteria that live on land and in the filter. These bacteria remove ammonia and nitrite in water (see next section).
The Most mechanical cleaning filters and biologically, if not all three.
11.Understanding nitrogen cycle (Fish actually waste – disposal bacteria of waste).
• The biological filtration process:
1. Starter fish are introduced into the aquarium.
2. The ammonia from waste begins to accumulate (toxic).
3. The bacteria begin to expand the use of ammonia.
4. ammonia levels begin to lower the level of nitrite construction (Toxic).
5. The bacteria begin to grow that the use of nitrites.
6. nitrite levels start to lower nitrate levels rise slowly (much less toxic).
7. The water is changed and a decreased level of nitrates.
8. More fish are introduced.
• These bacteria are called aerobic bacteria, because they need oxygen. The best way is to have water and feed much more airy places to grow.
• A new tank is not ready for a full load fish as the biological filter has not been built. Gradually add the fish during the scheduled visits will contribute to water quality.
12. Changes in water
• Frequency of cleaning
Want to change 20% of water every two weeks. It would be a partial cleaning. If the client prefers fewer visits Frequently, a change of 30% water can be carried out every three weeks, but more expensive. A major water change is necessary if the tank has not been cleaned in a long time.
Clean your aquarium in the following order:
1. The interior walls of the aquarium
2. Decorations (rocks, plants, etc)
3. Gravel
4. Filter
5. Out & accessories
Clean the inside walls of the particles of debris falling on the plants, ornaments and gravel, it is preferable to clean first. Elimination remains of plants and decorations fall to the bottom, then hold cleaning the gravel until the plants and decorations outside. In addition, the gravel is much more easy to clean once the plants and stones were removed. Clean inside the tank on the outside getting dirty, cleaning the last out.
Algae pads
Start the cleaning process, giving a good clean acrylic interior. Only thus is a acrylic algae scraper or sponge. There is a variety of algae scrapers on the market, long-handled scrubbers to magnetic scrubbers. Buy your waste of algae in a pet store instead of the ministry house goods in a regular store. Although platelets may seem, can have soap or chemical residues in the manufacturing process. A residue will not affect your sink kitchen, but may leave a film on lethal tank.
Residue highly resistant to the sides, use a special razor blade razor acrylic plastic zero standard.
Bleach
Once the inner walls are clean, remove rocks, artificial plants, decorative items that have a strong growth of algae, or are clearly dirty. Do not clean with soap or detergents. It is very difficult to completely remove soap, and even the slightest trace can be fatal to fish. Usually a good scrub with an algae scraper to 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 take the items for 15 minutes. Wipe off any residue, rinse well water current and air dry to remove any residual chlorine. Leave the rocks, decorations and plants out of the tank while the gravel vacuum. Thus, no waste is moved gravel deposits on them.
Get a cube again and name the aquarium only. Use a bucket that has been contaminated by household chemicals could cause loss of fish.
Siphon
Clean the gravel next to the aid of a siphon to empty the tank to remove the remains into a bucket. There are several types of traps available that work essentially the same. Make sure all the gravel vacuum thoroughly to remove any residue.
Glass cleaners lime
Once inside the aquarium is clean, hood, light, tank top, and exterior glass can be cleaned. Only use cleaning products designated as aquarium safe. Ordinary glass cleaners contain ammonia, which is toxic to fish. Standard cleaning of lime even more toxic. sure aquarium cleaning and rinse. Do not rub the towel with acrylic paper or wood product. Use 100% cotton shirt or towel.
Filter Cleaning
After making a partial clean and was four weeks since the last cleaning the filter, it's time to clean again. If you have made a major water change, you may want to wait for the next visit to clean the filter. The reason is not visible to the naked eye. The major cleaning to do just disturbed colonies of bacteria on the plants, rocks and gravel. Fortunately, a large number of beneficial bacteria living in the filter media which means that you have not completely alter the ecosystem. However, if you changed the filter at the same time, you could you end up with a significant increase in ammonia levels due to the lack of beneficial bacteria. For this reason it is advisable emit the tank before removing the filter and clean.
In most cases, the filter media containing carbon absorbers ammonia, or ion exchange resins, and must be replaced if more than four weeks. After a few weeks absorbent qualities media have been exhausted, and there are colonies of bacteria enough to compensate for removal elsewhere. If you use two filters, one clean per visit.
The price of your package should include installation, landscaping, water, filling the tank with water, fish and clean the aquarium for 1 month. You must provide a discount of 5-10% with a contract six months of service, as illustrated in the example of "sales contract."
• Freight Service
Your service charge will be based competition and the target population. The fees are proposed as follows and should be snug in their region.
service programs include:
• Scheduled visits every two months (can be adjusted to meet customer needs)
• Change the water (see changes in the water)
• Delivery of equipment supplies and the environment as requested by the client
• Free consultation for
• Fish Tank metamorphosis
• Storage
• Equipment replace or improve
• Improved water quality
• Medical treatment of fish diseases
16.Sales procedure
assigned specific hours or days a week for sales and a tight schedule. Meanwhile, the company will cover and present the product range.
If the client wishes to finance a package or service, please contact its "Finance Company" (see Finance Company) and will have to complete the work before receiving payment.
• Customer concerns and FAQ
Concern: I have enough money now to cover the price of the packages.
Answer: No problem, the total amount can be financed as a tax on profit and loss for customers business.
Concern: I do not want to clean the aquarium in front of my clients.
Answer: No problem, you can arrive outside business hours for customers business.
Question: How I can get to Cuba for cleaning if it is in wall?
Answer: Access is hidden under a picture-frame border-style or an access panel where the fluctuations open up.
Question: How is the electricity supplied to an aquarium on the wall?
Answer: A Way Out be mounted inside the front wall of the aquarium.
Question: How do the fish to eat when I'm on vacation?
Answer: A fish in the charger Automatic feed the fish for two weeks for freshwater fish. We also offer holiday meal.
Question: What to do if there is leakage tanks?
Answer: It is very rare but it is under the manufacturer's warranty for one year.
18. Advice
These are some tips and suggestions that could make things a little easier.
1. If you have a computer for use. Most customers will have computer and makes it a great way to communicate. Email is a wonderful way to communicate with customers, sending invoices, and allows them to ask questions when you are not in your region.
2. Teach your clients and employees on food and filter system. Show them what to do in an emergency and how to recognize problems before they become uncontrollable. But the train at least two employees in the methods of feeding.
3. Keep your customers updated on the system and changes made. Never leave things to be a surprise. Customers tend to frown upon the sudden changes made without their consent.
4. Investing Tools Maintenance is easy to use and does not create a mess. The exchange of water with a bucket of five gallons are an accident waiting to happen. Find methods that are easy to use and clean.
5. Control of algae. It is their number one concern of customers. A dirty tank delivers the wrong message to customers of its customers. Use species fish, control of lighting, feeding programs and good removal tools. Remember These tanks are made of acrylic and zero if rubbed with an abrasive material. Use a towel 100% cotton instead of paper towels. Paper towels are a wood-products and can scratch the acrylic.
6. excellent customer service means being patient. Not everyone will understand you do water. Things that are easy to you may be more difficult for others to understand. Try to be well versed in the basics, explaining over and over again. Treat everyone with respect, you can talk to a customer with a value of your customers.
7. Fish died of Part of this activity. Learn to be polite but firm. Some dead fish are unpredictable, while others can be prevented. Develop alternative system of fish and stick to it. Replacing a few fish for free is not large, the replacement of a tank as it is.
8. Try to keep abreast of new products and fish species. Do not be afraid to try new things is the only way to improve their skills. Invest in good books and magazines that 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
A Few Black Inventors from the 1800′s to 2000
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