Money in this hobby?

[Deiblerj]

As I sit here at my desk at work on this slow Tuesday I can’t help but wonder what life would be like working with fish and reef tanks all day. Is there good money in this? What would some jobs be?

This is probably just my mind wondering thinking what I would do if I won the lottery!

 

[NMdesertReefer]

I personally think that if I was to turn this hobby that I love into an actual Job, I would learn to hate it.

 

[Deiblerj]

I personally think that if I was to turn this hobby that I love into an actual Job, I would learn to hate it.

Interesting, why is that?

 

[Retro Reefer]

Probably not much money involved in being a sales or maintenance person in the saltwater aquarium field and as has been pointed out anytime you turn a hobby into a full time job it will potentially diminish the enjoyment you get from your personal home aquarium.. after working on or around aquariums all day going home to work on your own would be a little to much.

 

[Ash321]

I Worked in the aquatics industry for 3 years in the uk and the job is alright but the money is rubbish! And you have to work weekends and holidays so inless u own ur own shop where you can earn a decent wage i wouldnt do it.

 

[Deiblerj]

Probably not much money involved in being a sales or maintenance person in the saltwater aquarium field and as has been pointed out anytime you turn a hobby into a full time job it will potentially diminish the enjoyment you get from your personal home aquarium.. after working on or around aquariums all day going home to work on your own would be a little to much.

That’s a good point...probably the last thing you want to do after cleaning tanks all day is clean your own when you’re not even getting paid for it!

 

[ArowanaLover1902]

Marine biology or ichthyology (the study of fish) would be pretty close, still money isn't great for either of those.

 

[Halal Hotdog]

With anything there can be great revenue, but you have to be structured correctly. Look at BRS, they have been doing this for 10 years and are generating over a million in revenue per year. That is not the norm. There is not a ton of reef keepers, but it is just a matter of getting them interested in using you as a vendor. In general if I turned my passion into a 100 hour a week job, then I would probably start to dislike it. What I have seen be successful is people setting up a frag tank that they sell out of in their house. It seems this has low risk, gets you to try out the industry, and have seen some grow this into a large operation. It seems the key to this is online sales and being priced aggressive with good service.

 

[Deiblerj]

With anything there can be great revenue, but you have to be structured correctly. Look at BRS, they have been doing this for 10 years and are generating over a million in revenue per year. That is not the norm. There is not a ton of reef keepers, but it is just a matter of getting them interested in using you as a vendor. In general if I turned my passion into a 100 hour a week job, then I would probably start to dislike it. What I have seen be successful is people setting up a frag tank that they sell out of in their house. It seems this has low risk, gets you to try it out the industry, and have seen some grow this into a large operation. It seems the key to this is online sales and being priced aggressive with good service.

That’s not a bad idea...get to enjoy your hobby and if you get some interested buyers you make a few extra bucks, if not you get a sick frag tank to look at! Haha

 

[Deiblerj]

Guess I won’t quit my day job ;Happy

 

[ArowanaLover1902]

At one time I really wanted to go to college to be a marine biologist or ichthyologist, now here I am getting ready to major in politics or prelaw

 

[Breadman03]

Having a healthy tank and selling or trading your frags locally is probably the best return you will see. Enjoy the tank, get a nice variety of corals, and maybe subsidize some reef supplies once in a while.

There is an aquarium opening about 40 minutes from me and I'm debating snagging a part time job there mostly for the networking and expertise.

 

[Deiblerj]

Having a healthy tank and selling or trading your frags locally is probably the best return you will see. Enjoy the tank, get a nice variety of corals, and maybe subsidize some reef supplies once in a while.

There is an aquarium opening about 40 minutes from me and I'm debating snagging a part time job there mostly for the networking and expertise.

Now that I’m getting more into the hobby I often wonder how aquariums operate. Is it the same concept as a home tank with a sump? Just a much much larger scale?

Skimmers the size of a smar car?!

I would love to see behind the scenes ;Bookworm

 

[Deiblerj]

At one time I really wanted to go to college to be a marine biologist or ichthyologist, now here I am getting ready to major in politics or prelaw

That’s a pretty significant change in direction! Good luck finishing up your degree! I just finished my MBA, finally done with school....for now!

 

[Jl330]

Now that I’m getting more into the hobby I often wonder how aquariums operate. Is it the same concept as a home tank with a sump? Just a much much larger scale?

Skimmers the size of a smar car?!

I would love to see behind the scenes ;Bookworm

I believe the georgia aquarium does behind three scenes tour. I'd love to do it next time I'm there. Imagine the nutrient transport required to house their whale sharks.

 

[Breadman03]

Contact your local aquariums. Many offer memberships where you'll get emails about special events, many of which will include behind the scenes tours. Also don't be afraid to say hi to workers you see. I got behind the scenes because the guy I talked to wanted to brag about his fish breeding rack.

Oh, the size of small cars? Some are more like small silos.

 

[Deiblerj]

Contact your local aquariums. Many offer memberships where you'll get emails about special events, many of which will include behind the scenes tours. Also don't be afraid to say hi to workers you see. I got behind the scenes because the guy I talked to wanted to brag about his fish breeding rack.

Oh, the size of small cars? Some are more like small silos.

Definitely going to do this next time I go!

 

[SandJ]

Now that I’m getting more into the hobby I often wonder how aquariums operate. Is it the same concept as a home tank with a sump? Just a much much larger scale?

Skimmers the size of a smar car?!

I would love to see behind the scenes ;Bookworm

Not exactly an aquarium, but here is some of the equipment from the Georgia Sea Turtle Center...

 

[red13]

Now that I’m getting more into the hobby I often wonder how aquariums operate. Is it the same concept as a home tank with a sump? Just a much much larger scale?


Skimmers the size of a smar car?!

I would love to see behind the scenes ;Bookworm

I am on the life support team for a large public aquarium in So Cal. To answer your question, we use sand filters, uv, ozone, and protien skimmers on the big systems. Alot of the smaller systems, (300 gallons and less) are on sumps with the usual equipment. And yes some of the skimmers are the size of a small car.
Here is a picture of the life support for our 10,500 gallon reef tank.

And since we are reef addicts here, a picture of the calcium reactor, gfo, and carbon reactor.

 

[Deiblerj]

I am on the life support team for a large public aquarium in So Cal. To answer your question, we use sand filters, uv, ozone, and protien skimmers on the big systems. Alot of the smaller systems, (300 gallons and less) are on sumps with the usual equipment. And yes some of the skimmers are the size of a small car.
Here is a picture of the life support for our 10,500 gallon reef tank.

And since we are reef addicts here, a picture of the calcium reactor, gfo, and carbon reactor.

;Jawdrop;Jawdrop;Jawdrop;Jawdrop

Wow! Thanks for sharing!!