Who does your tank maintenance?

[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]

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

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