Who does your tank maintenance?

[Still Learning]

Let's be honest here....how many people use maintenance companies for all or some of their tank maintenance?

[Europhyllia]

Do people really use maintenance companies? I figured that was more for those tanks in offices/law firms/restaurants/etc.
Seems like maintenance is part of the hobby.

[txav8r]

I do my own but my sister-in-law uses B&B for her water changes.

[carlinsa]

your supposed to change the water. wow thats news to me lol

[Kristy]

We're lucky that we do it all together (Mike and I) except for the times that I'm traveling for work and then he has a lot to do!

I was once chatting with a LFS employee and we were talking about the maintenance issue. He said that the tanks maintained professionally NEVER end up looking as nice as the ones that are maintained with day-to-day TLC by the owner. That really stood out to me and put all thoughts of ever having professional maintenance help out of my mind. I figure that if / when it gets to that point, it's time to downsize.

[justahobby]

Interesting, but that does make sense to me, Kristy. I think it's very hard for any sevice person to have an intimate knowledge of your tank when they only see it a few hrs a week tops.

[Still Learning]

Hmmm.......I am thinking there are some out there that use maint. companies. Maybe just the water changes, but out of 3,000 members I cannot believe that people don't use maint. companies for water changes or something...anything....

Should be interesting to see what happens with this poll....

[Mr Cob]

Well, only 15 have voted...so I'm sure some others will chime in as long as people don't start flaming those that do use a company.

I enjoy maintaining my own setups but I can see using a professional to do it all. The dirt part of the hobby just isn't for some folks. Also, if you have the money and you don't have the time it's a great option to have that would still allow you to enjoy a nice reef setup.

I use to travel a lot for my company a few years back and SW was not an option because of it....had I thought of a professional I definitely would have done it. Just never thought of it.

[kkiel02]

Like said above I think that maintenance companies are more for commercial aquariums. I do it all but my cousin who owns a vet clinic in marion uses darbys. Speaking of commercial aquariums I want to know who does the maintenance and how the filtration works at QUA on 4th street in Austin. I dont agree with them having fish in there but I like the tank underneath where you are walking.

[justahobby]

I'm sure there are others that use maintenance companies on here. Some people may have to if they ever want to go on a decent vacation.

[kkiel02]

I think that if you use companies it kind of takes away from the hobby IMO. Now I understand that some people just dont have the time to take care of a tank as a career comes first.

I have mine setup where I can go on a week vacation with one to two feedings. I rarely get any longer vacations than that at this point though. :(

Oh yeah and this brings up another big plus from maast- Other reefers are always ready to help if need be(maintenance or feeding). The networking aspect is a tremendous help if you need someone to cover you while you are on vacation.

[SABOB]

I do my own, but have had times when things weren't going well when I thought maybe a company could help troubleshoot.Usually I just do a bunch of water changes,test and let things settle for awhile,then start back again.

[cowboy572]

I agree with Kyle, if you use a outside firm to help maintain your tank it takes away from the experience of owning a tank. I do all my own maintence. When I had my accident late in Oct 2008 I looked into a lfs store to help with my maintence. When I heard what they charged, I thought they where crazy. So a simple little post here on maast and I got all the help I needed and then some to take care of my tank.

[ShAgMaN]

I do all the maintenance, however when I go on vacation I have a trusted neighbor top off water, check/empty skimmer, clean glass, and feed (I hook them up:wink_smile:)...additionally I do have a maintenance co. on standby in case of emergency.

[tzhanks]

I didn't even know those types of companies existed why even have a saltwater tank maintenance is half the fun

[CoryDude]

From my experience working at a LFS that had a maint division, I can tell you that those that use them exclusively probably won't be regulars on this site.

Those people didn't really see a reef tank for anything other than a piece of expensive furniture. They didn't really care about the hobby or share our enthusiasm.

Maybe I'm weird, but maintaining and getting my arms wet in the tank are the best part of the hobby.

[twychopen]

My tank is at my office but I still do it myself. I honestly think that if you are serious enough to keep up with a forum, then you are a "DIY" that loves to tinker with the tanks. I doubt many people read up or ask tons of questions when a company comes and takes care of it for them...Also, when was the last time you saw a "professional" tank cleaning company take care of someones live corals??? I never have, maybe they are out there but it takes a lot of time and effort.

EDIT oops sorry, i didn't read the above post. I just quick replied haha. sorry to steal the thoughts.

[RayAllen]

If you are using a maintance company your not really a true hobbiest, maybe thats just my biast opinion. Those that have a company do all the work simply see it as a peice of art...

You learn a lot about your system and aquariums overall doing the work yourself.

[jroescher]

My wife helped me clean the skimmer once. About 2 years ago if I remember right.

[Mr Cob]

Pretty harsh comments about professional maintenance crews. I'm sure some of the general comments are true but can you really say that about Jason or Jeremy? How about Dr Mark's crew or Gabe's? These guys are PROFESSIONALS and I'm certain if someone did decide to have their tank cared by one of them that they would be getting the best of the best.

I have seen tanks that have been maintained by both Reefs2u and Aquarium Designs that would not fit into those comments. Some of these tanks are owned by active members on MAAST and have gorgeous corals that I'm sure we would not classify them as not being true hobbyists. Hopefully some of them will chime in... I can think of several and they are nothing close to being amateurs.

[corruption]

Pretty harsh comments about professional maintenance crews. I'm sure some of the general comments are true but can you really say that about Jason or Jeremy? How about Dr Mark's crew or Gabe's? These guys are PROFESSIONALS and I'm certain if someone did decide to have their tank cared by one of them that they would be getting the best of the best.

I have seen tanks that have been maintained by both Reefs2u and Aquarium Designs that would not fit into those comments. Some of these tanks are owned by active members on MAAST and have gorgeous corals that I'm sure we would not classify them as not being true hobbyists. Hopefully some of them will chime in... I can think of several and they are nothing close to being amateurs.

+1 -- beyond the LFS in town who maintain tanks professionally, there are also many members here who work for independent maintenance firms and are true professionals. Most people deep and active in the hobby are going to do their own maintenance, but as was stated by others -- not everyone sees the hobby as the obsession that we do, even if they're active in the care of their tank.

-Justin

[alton]

My boss has had Ken Koehler take care of his tanks since 82? He does an excellent job and my boss enjoys the way his tank looks. First fresh and since 2002 salt. When some look at a aquarium they see a lot of work, I look at it as time well spent, satisfaction, and enjoyment. I always say "what ever makes you happy"

[twychopen]

Bump! I want to see if anyone on this forum is using a professional company. I know many around this area are not very good.

[txav8r]

X2 to Rob's and Justin's comments

As I said before, My sis-in-law has hers done by someone.

Jeremy does hers and I think he does a great job. I don't think that hers is anywhere near as nice as mine but I mess with the tank every day and they only get to come in every other week or once a month.

[Europhyllia]

I wish there was a barn maintenance service. Somebody has to clean that chicken coop and I wish it wasn't me...

I think Sherry said she has used a tank maintenance service previously.

[Jynxgirl]

I am sitting in dubai (I started a reef site here :) ) and trying to decide if I am going to keep my 'home' tank going or just dry it out until I come back. It was moved to my parents shop that looks like is going to be closed. If it is moved to my parents in pflugerville or a friends in Cedar Park, I am going to need a maintenance company to take care of it.

Really curious about any recommendations for companies.

[allan]

Dang girl, what the heck are you doing in Dubai??? If you travel north stay safe and keep your head down. BTW, what's the reef site addy? Wouldn't mind shouting out from the states to you all.

My concerns with professional care are small, but I've seen things work in Ace's tank, that wouldn't in mine, and then there are the methods used in Rob's that I don't see myself doing... and then there's Jack and his crazy 24/7 lighting schedule.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that it seems as if these set ups are like fingerprints, and thus care doesn't necessarily work across the board in like fashion. With professional care, and I'm assuming that they care for a number of systems, it seems as if they would have to approach each system as a unique tank.

Additionally, and this is just me thinking out loud (and I could be wrong so don't blast me) if anyone who is maintaining their tank here... I just don't see them as being active maast members (either CM or WM). If all of your care is being taken care of... why would you spend a lot of time here learning more and how to take care of problems? Maybe for the FS forums... I don't know. But if I had the money for professional care I imagine that shopping for discounted frags wouldn't be a top priority.

I've only a minute so please excuse me, I only read page one and three... didn't have time to read two.

Peace!

[corkyGramma]

:angel: I am my boyfriend's maintenance co.!
My $.02
Seriously, I've seen what co. charge for "service" and it is crazy; per gallon, etc. I've been begged by friends and strangers to do water changes/ or bring stability to their aquariums in the past. I didnt make much on it, but I use to enjoy seeing the habitats "perk up" before my eyes. I believe you'd have to be really loaded to pay for AQ service, and it is a hard buisness to keep up when people rather do it themselves<which may be why it is also so expensive>.

****"I'm in a good mood"*****

The Dharma of sw maintenance:

You must pay for convienence.
For it to be a buisness, you need to make a profit
Overcharging for something so simple is:thumbs_down:

Guys, dont scrutinize my comments, they are just silly GENERALIZATIONS:)

[Jynxgirl]

MASUAE.org What is anyone doing in Dubai?? Making money - its TAX free :)

I dont have a whole lot of faith that I would come home to a great tank but I have had my 180 for a few years now and my female clown I am quite attached to having had her for years and years.

[corruption]

Dang girl, what the heck are you doing in Dubai??? If you travel north stay safe and keep your head down. BTW, what's the reef site addy? Wouldn't mind shouting out from the states to you all.

My concerns with professional care are small, but I've seen things work in Ace's tank, that wouldn't in mine, and then there are the methods used in Rob's that I don't see myself doing... and then there's Jack and his crazy 24/7 lighting schedule.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that it seems as if these set ups are like fingerprints, and thus care doesn't necessarily work across the board in like fashion. With professional care, and I'm assuming that they care for a number of systems, it seems as if they would have to approach each system as a unique tank.

Additionally, and this is just me thinking out loud (and I could be wrong so don't blast me) if anyone who is maintaining their tank here... I just don't see them as being active maast members (either CM or WM). If all of your care is being taken care of... why would you spend a lot of time here learning more and how to take care of problems? Maybe for the FS forums... I don't know. But if I had the money for professional care I imagine that shopping for discounted frags wouldn't be a top priority.

I've only a minute so please excuse me, I only read page one and three... didn't have time to read two.

Peace!

Well stated, my friend. My thoughts exactly on the activity levels of those who would use a maintenance company -- and doublely true when it comes to all tanks are like fingerprints. While maintenance can be expensive, for sure, its not nearly as inhibitive as most here have made it out to be. The biggest thing to remember is that its a working relationship -- as the relationship grows, so will the perks.

-Justin