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1. Who is Designer Aquatics and what do you do that's so special?
*Well, we are one of Ventura County's best aquarium and water feature specialists. Our company provides expert services for anything related to aquatic attractions. Put another way, we know a lot about fish: what they do, how to keep them alive, how to build aquariums and ponds that replicate their natural environment. We know what kind of filtration is needed for any system out there. We can even fix a problem you may have inherited from some other shady fish guy.  We also know a lot about fountains and  water features. But what makes us special is that we do what we say we're going to do, when we say we are going to do it, and we aren't happy until you are truly satisfied. Seriously.

2. What makes you guys such  "experts"?
*Fair question. Here we go. Our company was started over 10 years ago by our owner, Tim Rademaker, while he was in college studying Marine Biology. He learned a few years into college that a marine biologist doesn't really have the glamorous life of Jaques Cousteau. With this realization and his passion for everything aquatic, Tim decided to switch his major to Business and started providing pond and aquarium services for people in need of such expertise. As the business grew, Tim grew his team of professionals including product manufacturers, employees, and contractors. With this team the company continually strives to meet new challenges in order to grow. Fast forward 10 years and now we are working on amazing systems; aquariums, ponds, and water features from Santa Barbara to Newport Beach; for customers ranging from school teachers to movie and sports stars and we are very proud of it.

3. Okay, sounds good, but I need someone who will be there when I need them. I have a very demanding situation.
*We understand that your aquarium and/or pond is a focal point and when everything is working it looks great and you get a tremendous amount of pride from it. On the other hand, when things go bad, it really becomes a horrible mess and an constant embarrassment. If you need help we can handle your situation. We have 24 hour emergency contacts, daily service routes, variable hours and flexible schedules.

4. Do you do everything I need to get started with a new aquarium or water feature?

*Yes, we specialize in the design*, installation*, and maintenance of  aquatic features, including aquariums, ponds, and fountains. We serve all of Ventura County California. Our design process begins with a "Design Consultation," which is an in depth meeting where we answer any of your questions and create the details for our proposal. Next we prepare a design plan and estimate for the project. Once the proposal is agreed on we will begin the fabrication of your system. Usually our fabrication process takes about 3-4 weeks. After the system is built we will schedule a delivery and installation appointment ASAP. Once your aquarium or pond is installed we will monitor its health weekly for the first month. During this time our technicians will make certain that all of the equipment is working properly and that your fish are healthy. We offer longterm management and maintenance services, which allows you to sit back and enjoy your new addition free of any worries. 

SEE OUR MAINTENANCE SPECIALS! 

Misc. FAQ's

  1. Where do you do business?
    1. We currently service the Ventura County area. We have weekly aquarium service routes in Camarillo, Ventura, Oxnard, Moorpark,  Thousand Oaks, Agoura, and Westlake Village. We are also servicing special accounts in Malibu and Santa Barbara.
  2. How long have you been in the aquarium business?
    1. As of July 2007 we will have changed our name to Designer Aquatics. Our first company, Reef Tech, was started by Tim Rademaker (President)  in 1998.  Since then the company has grown organically to focus mainly on custom high quality displays for commercial and residential applications. Today, Designer Aquatics  is owned and operated by Rademaker Enterprises, Inc. and is based out of Camarillo California. Our products can be seen in fine establishments throughout Ventura County.
  3. Can I come visit your store?
    1. We do not have a store open to the public and we do not sell supplies to the public. You must be a registered customer to enjoy the high quality fish and coral that we import. If you are interested in becoming a registered customer please send us an e-mail through our "contact us" page.
  4. Do you offer free consultation?
    1. For non-current customers we do not offer free consultation. However, we do offer our consultation services at your site for $75 per hour. During these visits we can address any questions or problems you may have including design, system health diagnosis, filtration design and trouble shooting, livestock questions, etc. Note:  new clients will receive a credit of $75 (the consultation fee) applied to the purchase of any new aquarium system.
  5. What do you charge for maintenance services?
    1. Our rates start at $45 per visit, but vary depending on the size of the system, type of livestock, and the time needed to properly service the system each visit. Visits needing more than one hour of service time are prorated at $60/hour for each additional hour.
  6. What do your services include?
    1. Our services are the best available. We offer two services to choose from.
        1. Our Essentials Service includes surface cleaning, basic water quality assessment (pH, salinity, temp,) filter cleaning*, water top-off, system inspection, and feeding*. 
        2. Our Signature Service includes all of the Essential services plus advanced water testing for aquariums (Alkalinity, Calcium, Strontium, Phosphate, Nitrogen, Magnesium,) trace element addition, beneficial bacteria addition, and feeding. Also, when you have a Signature Service contract we offer a replacement guarantee on new animals for 14 days. Some restrictions apply.
  7. How often do you service my tank?
    1. Most saltwater aquariums require service at two week intervals, however this requires some efforts from the owners in-between visits. Reef aquariums and other special needs systems will require more frequent services. We recommend new aquariums be serviced once a week for the first month after installation.
  8. Do you supply the fish and corals?
    1. Yes, we offer all kinds of fish, invertebrates, and coral. Our livestock is hand selected by our aquarist to ensure the quality and health of the specimen.  We also sell any aquarium supplies for our service customers. If you have a service account you get discounts on all animals and supplies.
  9. Will you fix my existing aquarium or pond?
    1. We do offer troubleshooting and repair services within Ventura County. We can fix, tune-up, and clean-up your existing aquarium or pond to restore it back to a beautiful and exciting piece of art you will enjoy.

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