Adding Aquarium Cleaning to Your Pet Care Business: A Serious Side Service, Not a Side Hustle

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Adding Aquarium Cleaning to Your Pet Care Business: A Serious Side Service, Not a Side Hustle

For many professional dog walkers and pet care providers, expanding services is a natural next step. You already have trusted access to clients’ homes, a reputation for reliability, and experience caring for animals when owners are not present.

Aquarium cleaning and maintenance can sit well alongside dog walking or pet sitting if—and only if—you treat it as a professional animal care service, not a quick add-on.

Fish are often perceived as “easy pets”. In reality, aquariums are delicate, closed ecosystems. Mistakes are not just inconvenient; they can be fatal.

This guide is designed to give you a realistic, grounded understanding of what is involved before you offer aquarium cleaning as a paid service.

Why Aquarium Cleaning Appeals to Pet Care Professionals

From a business perspective, aquarium maintenance has clear advantages:

• Work is predictable and scheduled (weekly, fortnightly, or monthly)

• Visits are usually shorter than dog walks

• Services can be delivered during off-peak walking hours

• Many clients already trust you with keys and alarms

• There is strong demand from:

  • Busy professionals

  • Elderly clients

  • Holiday homeowners

  • Commercial premises (reception areas, salons, offices)

However, the barrier to entry is knowledge, not equipment.

First Reality Check: This Is Not Just “Cleaning a Tank”

Aquarium maintenance is not comparable to emptying a litter tray or refilling water bowls.

Every tank is a biological system. When you interfere with it, you are directly affecting:

• Water chemistry

• Bacterial colonies

• Fish stress levels

• Disease susceptibility

• Long-term tank stability

A poorly informed tank clean can wipe out fish within hours or days, even if everything looks “clean” to the human eye.

Understanding Aquarium Types Before You Touch One

You must be able to identify what kind of tank you are working with before you offer a service.

Freshwater Tropical Tanks

• Most common in domestic homes

• Warm water (usually 24–26°C)

• Fish such as tetras, guppies, mollies, gouramis, cichlids

• Sensitive to ammonia, nitrites, and pH swings

Coldwater Tanks

• Often goldfish

• Produce large amounts of waste

• Require significant filtration and frequent water changes

• Commonly under-filtered by owners

Planted Aquariums

• Live plants change nutrient balance

• Algae control must be carefully managed

• Over-cleaning can damage plant health

Marine (Saltwater) Tanks

• NOT recommended for beginners

• Require:

  • Salinity control

  • Marine-specific testing

  • Expensive livestock

• One mistake can result in losses worth thousands

If you are starting out, freshwater tanks only should be your boundary.

Water Chemistry: The Non-Negotiable Knowledge

If you do not understand water chemistry, you should not offer aquarium services.

At minimum, you must understand:

The Nitrogen Cycle

Fish waste produces ammonia, which is toxic. Beneficial bacteria convert:

• Ammonia → Nitrites (still toxic)

• Nitrites → Nitrates (less harmful, controlled via water changes)

Cleaning too aggressively can:

• Kill beneficial bacteria

• Crash the cycle

• Cause sudden fish deaths days later

pH Levels

Different fish require different pH ranges:

• Too high or too low causes stress

• Sudden changes are worse than imperfect levels

You must never:

• Replace all tank water

• Wash filter media under tap water

• Use untreated tap water in a tank

Algae: Symptom, Not the Enemy

Algae is one of the most common reasons clients request tank cleaning, but it is rarely the root problem.

Algae growth is influenced by:

• Lighting duration and placement

• Nutrient levels

• Overstocking

• Infrequent water changes

Scrubbing algae without addressing causes will result in:

• Rapid regrowth

• Client frustration

• Ongoing tank instability

Your role is maintenance, not cosmetic cover-ups.

Water Changes: How Much Matters

Water changes are the foundation of aquarium health.

General guidance (always tank-dependent):

• Weekly maintenance: 10–25%

• Monthly maintenance: 25–40%

Key rules:

• Match temperature closely

• Use water conditioner every time

• Never “deep clean” substrate in one go

• Never empty a tank unless performing a controlled reset

A fish keeper’s worst nightmare is a well-meaning cleaner who “made it spotless”.

Fish Are Not All the Same

You must recognise that different species have different needs:

• Some are shoaling fish and must be kept in groups

• Some are territorial and stressed by disturbance

• Some are sensitive to flow, noise, and movement

• Some require specific feeding regimes

You are not just cleaning glass—you are working in the animals’ living environment.

Frequency of Service: Weekly vs Monthly

You should offer clear service tiers, not vague cleaning promises.

Weekly Maintenance

• Light water change

• Algae management

• Visual health check

• Filter inspection (not replacement)

• Top-ups and basic testing

Monthly Maintenance

• Larger water change

• Substrate cleaning in sections

• Equipment checks

• Plant trimming if applicable

• Detailed water testing

Clients must understand:

• Monthly service is not suitable for heavily stocked tanks

• Neglected tanks may require multiple visits to stabilise safely

Insurance, Liability, and Professional Boundaries

If you are charging for aquarium maintenance, it must be covered by your business insurance.

You should:

• Confirm aquatic care is included

• Avoid guarantees on livestock survival

• Use written service descriptions

• Document tank condition at first visit

Fish losses are emotionally charged and financially sensitive.

Clear boundaries protect both you and your client.

Training Before You Offer This Service

Before advertising aquarium cleaning, you should:

• Maintain your own tank successfully for several months

• Learn to use water testing kits confidently

• Understand filter types and media

• Know when not to intervene

• Be comfortable declining unsuitable tanks

Confidence comes from competence, not enthusiasm.

Final Thoughts: A Valuable Service Done Properly

Aquarium cleaning can be a profitable, low-impact addition to a pet care business when approached professionally.

But it is not:

• A casual extra

• A quick clean-up job

• A service you can learn on the fly in a client’s home

As pet care professionals, our responsibility is always the same—animal welfare first.

If you treat aquariums with the same respect you give dogs, cats, and other animals, this service can enhance your business rather than damage your reputation.

If you underestimate it, it will do the opposite.

A note on business and professionalism

This guide assumes one thing: you are running a business, not a hobby.

Pet care is more than a passion—it’s your livelihood, and it deserves the same professionalism, planning, and respect as any other business. Treating it like “just a job for fun” won’t get you the results or freedom you want.

You are allowed to:

• Charge enough to make your business sustainable

• Set and enforce clear boundaries with clients

• Expect respect from clients, peers, and the wider pet care industry

• Take your work seriously, even when others don’t

• Build a business that supports you, not just every pet and client

Professional success starts with self-respect—and pet care businesses built on self-respect thrive for the long term.

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About Tori Lynn C. & The Dog House

Welcome to The Dog House — my cosy corner of the TLC Canine Crusaders Business Hub. I’m Tori Lynn C., the founder of TLC Dog Walking Limited, mentor to professional dog walkers, and lifelong advocate for dogs and the people who care for them. Before building my own dog walking company, I worked as a dog trainer and held corporate roles at Pizza Hut’s Head Office in London and at PricewaterhouseCoopers, based at Embankment Place. Business, structure, and people management have been part of my life for a very long time.

With full time, hands-on experience in the dog industry since 2007, my mission is to guide you through the realities of running a successful, sustainable dog walking business — from client care and safety to wellbeing, confidence, and professional growth.

The Dog House is where I share the honest, behind-the-scenes conversations we all need: the tricky moments, the funny bits, the business lessons, and the mindset work that keeps us thriving rather than merely surviving. Whether you're just starting out or scaling up, you’ll always find support, guidance, and a friendly nudge forward here.

You’re never alone in this journey — you’re part of a community of canine crusaders.

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Legal Disclaimer

The information provided on this website is for general information and educational purposes only. It is intended to support pet care professionals in understanding common legal considerations when operating a dog walking or pet care business in the UK.

This content does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for advice from a qualified solicitor or legal professional. Laws, regulations and local authority requirements may change over time and can vary depending on location and individual circumstances.

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date at the time of publication, no guarantees are made regarding completeness or applicability to your specific situation.

By using this website, you acknowledge that:

✓ You are responsible for ensuring your own business complies with all relevant UK laws and local authority rules

✓ You should seek professional legal advice before drafting, using or relying on any contract or legal document

✓ The website owner accepts no liability for loss, damage or legal issues arising from the use of this information

If you are unsure about any legal obligations, contractual terms or liabilities, it is strongly recommended that you consult a solicitor experienced in small business or consumer law.