Tank Maintenance Service Experience?

[skiwez]

Anyone here currently use or has used a tank maintenance service company in the past? Been thinking about it, but I'm not sure what to expect. I currently do everything myself and enjoy it, but I figured people that keep there elbows wet for 5 days a week might have a different perspective of how to do things. The internet is a great resource but there is something to be said personal contact.

I'm necessarily looking for specific company recommendations, but I would like to hear what you folks have used them for and whether you thought is was money well spent or just another expense.

PS - Not sure about board rules, so if you have specific recommendations or bad experiences please PM me. I would like to avoid the thread becoming an argument.

Thanks for the help

 

[Lenny718]

To me I think tank maintenance is part of the fun of the hobby, no one will or should know your system better then yourself if your a reefer. Different story if you have one in your office or restaurant and it's a fish only and just don't have the time to do water changes or clean algae. Test often and research and you'll never need anyone to maintain your tank for you, use the money you save for new fish/coral. My 2 cents

 

[reefoman]

Make sure the company you gonna hire has good insurance, cause from the moment you'll sign the contract they suppose to be responsible for your tank, at any time can become an accident such as flooding or fire...
Simply protect yourself and your environment.

GL
mark

 

[Arati]

I agree make sure they are insured and a registered dba or .corp , only pay by Card, and keep records. All that good stuff..

More then That I would suggest you ask to see picture's or video's of some of the other tanks. There should be a free consult, where you can explain you goals for the tank. That sort of thing. IME you want someone who more or less specializes in whatever you want..the same guy may not be the best choice for a reef tank or a planted tank.

few things to keep in mind. Its a little different running as reef when you do service twice a month, you need to simplify and add more redundancy and backs that can end up costing the owner. you dont want to pay someone to run a zeovite sps system for you and only come once a week or once every two weeks. Things like calcium reactors and other finicky equipment can be trouble. stuff like that..

Also you still need to know how to use all your own equipment. A few stop overs to help reset a timer, or fill a top off come with the territory. A few to many and its a 50 -100 10 min visit.

I service some crazy awesome tanks, and some sewers , its still up to the owner what he wants to put into it. best of luck there are some darn good service guys on these boards. im sure one from your area will work out for ya.

 

[skiwez]

Thanks for the heads up on the insurance.

Things I'm thinking of using the maintenance company for would be like help with plumbing routing. It currently works but it could definitely be cleaner. Same with wire routing etc. Helping me design a water change station. It's more like one off projects that I would like the help with.

 

[Mattl22]

I looked into getting help with my tank once from a local guy who did builds etc I was shocked guy was I think $75 or more an hour I needed like 10 hrs work give or take and 2-300 in material long story short I spent $100 at Home Depot and did it myself but ..... Now I want to re do it so a pro would have been good do it right first time I would def use the better true union valves next time I guess If u have the $ hire just make sure whoever u hire has references pics of builds etc