How do you start an aquarium maintenance business in 2027?

Startup costs: $3K-$15K (RO/DI water system, buckets, magnet cleaners, gravel vacs, refractometer, test kits, spare equipment inventory, used van or SUV, branded shirts, scheduling app). Permits/licenses/insurance: business license, general liability + property-in-care ($400-$900/yr through Hiscox or Next), some states require aquaculture or live-animal-handling registration if you also sell livestock. CITES paperwork if you touch saltwater corals or protected species. Customer acquisition: local fish-store partnerships are gold (they refer service work they do not want), Google Local Service Ads, Nextdoor, dental/medical office cold outreach (waiting-room tanks), interior-design firms, Yelp. Revenue model: $80-$180 per visit (biweekly typical), $200-$500 install fees, livestock and parts markup 30-100%. Year-1: gross $30K-$80K solo, retention drives the year - losing 3 office accounts hurts.