55g setup for friend. Suggestions?

Shananagans · 09-15-2008, 02:26 PM

My friend came to me the other day telling me that his parents were given a fish tank, and would like to do a saltwater setup, and would like me to do it for them. Yesterday I went to take a look and it is a 55g tank. They want to pay me to set it up for them, and then occasionaly come by once a month or so to make sure all is well. They want me to treat me as if it was my own tank, and put in there what I would like. My friends sister is handicapped and his father wants this to be a fater daughter thing, feeding the fish everyday etc. As I said they want to pay me for the setuo, seting up the tank, stocking it etc. They will give me money to pay for everything, but also want to pay me for my time and experience. Does anyone have any suggetions of how much I should ask for, they gave me what I feel is a generous offer, and my friend told his dad it should even be more then that. Has anyone done this before? What have you charged?

I am also looking for some suggestions of what to stock it with. I have a good idea of what I will put in there, but I'm open to suggestions. He wants bright colored fish, that will get along. Something that will catch ppls eyes, it will be one of the main piece of furniure in that room. I would consider an anemone of some very easy corals such as mushrooms, but not a full blown reef. Clowns and anemones are always eye catching. But what would you suggest for a 55g. I am probly gona do a 4" sand bed with liverock.

They also have some equiptment that if they could use I would like to so they dont have to buy new stuff. They have a Tetratec PF 300 or 500 filter, not sure if its 300 or 500. Would that be good enough for filtration, or would you recommend something else, pref I would like to use a sump, but that can get expensive and they are also gona want something very quite, as they will be have meetings in that room and their daughters bedroom is right by there. So I am think maybe a good canister filter. They also have a SeaClone skimmer, not sure what model or if it even works, but does anyone know if they produce alot of bubble in the tank hanging on the back of the tank?

So any remarks or suggestions would be great.

bbl_nk · 09-15-2008, 05:19 PM

That is very cool! Its hard to come up with a figure in expenses when it comes to doing work for friends. You have to come in with a figure that is worth your time so it can't be too low and on the other hand something not too outrageous! With what you are offered now, do you feel satisfied or do you need more to justify your time? I haven't done this before for a fee so maybe some other semi-pros can help.

How about a nice school of green chromis? They always add some punch to a setup. Also might be interested in something like a Fairy Wrasse? Maybe a dwarf Flame Angel or Coral Beauty? Magenta Dottyback? Grammas? Neon Gobies? Definitelly no tangs but you can get a really unique blend of smaller fish that will add color and character to the system.

Have not used a SeaClone but have seen them on HOT setups and look like a smokestack on a semi

Without a sump might be better to go with a Remora since its a smaller profile.

bbl_nk · 09-15-2008, 05:29 PM

Also just thought of something. Since they obviusly want a setup that is easy to enjoy and are willing to pay, might be a good idea to come up with a few scenarios on equipment like a barebone, mid-level and high-level setup. Present the pros and cons of all and make sure they get what they want. It may come to the point of 3-6 months down the road they really love it and want to add more and having the ability to have the equipment in place to handle a change would be good instead of having to purchase more expesive equipment.

Just my thought and what I would like to see if someone was doing it for me.

**CarmieJo** · 09-15-2008, 08:21 PM

I don't know what to tell you about price. But, if you are only going to be looking in on it monthly I would recommend a quality HOB skimmer that doesn't need constant tuning and is easy to empty. I haven't used any of them so I will rely on others to suggest makes and models. If you are going to use the HOB filter I would probably use it just for flow unless the tank was fish only.

Once again, with you not seeing the tank daily I would forgo the anemone. It you want something flowing why not consider an Euphyllia. Percula or ocellaris clowns would be a good choice as they aren't really aggressive. I like dwarf angels but some may nip at corals. I agree with Brian's suggestions for fish although my experience with chromis was not great. I started out with 3, the 2 biggest killed the littlest, the biggest killed the remaining and then it died.

dillan · 09-15-2008, 11:31 PM

i have an aqua c remora pro on my 75 that is a hang on the back skimmer and it works great . i had a sea clone and getting that to work right for even a week without messing with it was a chore let alone checking on it once a month. as far as stocking goes instead of an anemone how about a pair of clowns and some pulsing xenia both are very easy to care for i know when people come over my house most can care less about the really expensive stuff they are more interested in the xenia pulsing . and the crocea clams that seems to be a crowd favorite as well.

**CarmieJo** · 09-16-2008, 01:00 AM

Just keep xenia segregated to its own rock. It can grow out of control.