how much is this gonna cost me?

[standade03]

Hey, this is all pretty new to me, so I'm going to need all of your help I can get. I'm starting a restaurant hopefully within the next few years, and I thought it would be a cool idea to include multiple aquariums throughout the place. I know this is gonna cost me big, but I'm prepared for that. What's your advice on everything? I'm really open to suggestions, mostly due to the fact that I don't know anything about this. How much do you estimate this will cost me? What are the benefits of having saltwater over freshwater aquariums? What equipment do I need? And fish species? As you can see, I'm going to need all the help I can get. Thanks a lot!

[Drew]

Hi Jordan, and Welcome to The Reef Tank!

My first advice to you would be this, get a good book, and read it twice. I recommend Natural Reef Aquariums by Tullock. Heres a link at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...730736-0940765

Next, you have some decisions to make. Do you want this to be a FishOnly tank (Just some big ole fish swiming around) or a Reef Tank (a few fish, lots of corals shrimp, crabs, anemones, sponges etc etc etc) What you decide on will determine a lot of the equipment you buy, and also a lot of the costs involved. The reasons for having SW over FW are, IMO, quite vast. For starters, they are more fun, more attractive, more rewarding, and (drumroll please) more interesting! Now don't get me wrong, I have seen some stunning FW setups, especially discus and african cichlids, but once you get into SW there is no turning back, you will be hooked! If you can provide us with a little more info on what you are trying to accomplish, that will better help us help you Once again, Welcome to TRT!

Wow, that was some good rambling

Drew

[Alice]

Welcome! Reading about this hobby is always the best way to start. You might check our archives section for other reading material but the book by Tullock that Drew suggested is one that I recommend very often for beginners, too.

Oh, it's going to cost you all right. If you are handy person, you can get by on a lot less but figure on average $30 a gallon..or more, depending on the kinds of toys you want and the critters you want to keep.

If you are opening a business, especially a restaurant, you're not going to have much time to spend on the learning curve and there's a lot to learn about successful SW tank care and maintenance. My best advice? If you are really serious about this, set up a 75-100 gallon tank in your home so that you can get the hang of it and to see if you'll really have time for the care the tanks in your restaurant will require. If you're thinking they will only be decoration and you won't have an emotional stake in them, hire a good SW aquairum maintenance company.

~Alice

[Doug1]

Read,Read,Read!!!!!!! Look at other tanks that catch your fancy and talk to the owners and get a feel for whats involved.
Having a tank of your own will give you a better idea of what all is involved and costs.
As far as having multi tanks in your resteraunt, I agree with Alice a maintenance service will be a life saver. You won't have much free time while tryung to get the business off the ground. While I love saltwater tanks and especially reefs, I gotta tell you in all honesty you could do several 55g fresh water fish tanks for what it would cost to set up say a 120g reef. Most of the customers arent gonna appreciate the time and $ spent on saltwater tanks esp when looking at prices on the menu Good Luck

There is a bar out here in the new york area that had a pretty nice reef tank set-up.I do not know exactly how large the tank was, but it was 8' long and look pretty impressive to me. I do not think it would be a great idea to do this yourself. I know that bar had a service that did everything for the tank. I expect that you would need to dedicate a fair amount of time servicing a tank that large. You asked about cost well I heard someone once say if you have to ask then its to expensive. I had a 55 gallon 48" aquarium that ran me close to 6k. Mr4000 has spent well over 20k on his 4,000 gallon aquarium. Then you need to factor in monthly costs. Tanks that size eat up electrical.I suppose if you have the waiters throw in there tips the electrical will not be that bad, but when it comes to stocking a tank that big. You imagination will get the best of you and your wallet. So good luck and keep the shrimp in the tank not on the menu hehehee.

[bill-e]

I would think you're going to be busy enough running the restaurant to be worried about taking care of multiple tanks. I'd recommend you pay a service to do your tanks. It'll be just like any other bill you're going to have to pay, and you wont have to concern yourself with much more than feeding and top off.

[FishDaddy]

Jordan,

I commend you for planning ahead; both for your restaurant and aquarium. You've gotten excellent advice already. I agree that you will have very little time for the tank while running a restaurant. (I worked in my Dad's restaurant when I was a teenager).
Studying and beginning a home aquarium now, (75 is a great size for a first tank) will give you the knowledge to understand the process and choose your tank and inhabitants when the time comes for the commercial tank. I also agree that you should have a maintenance service take care of the tank and leave you free to run the income-producer!
Where are you located? Some of the TRT members may be in your area or know of local resources that can help you first hand.
Again, welcome to The Reef Tank!
Dick

[standade03]

Hey, thanks a lot for all the great advice guys. Sounds like I should definitely hire a maintenance person to take care of the tanks and read up as much as I can before I jump in. Also, sounds like I should lean toward just fish in freshwater if I'm going to do this on a big scale. I'm from the Indianapolis area, so if any of you know of any resources available, throw em at me! Thanks again.

[DaveJ]

Hi Jordan,

Give Jason at Midland Marine a call. He can provide you with some good ideas, suggestions and he services tanks too on the side, including setup. I am not sure what he charges.

Here is the contact information.

Midland Marine
10805 Andrade Dr
Zionsville, IN 46077
(317) 873-3359

I have dealt with him a couple of times and he has been good to work with. He is about 15 minutes north of the airport off 465.