The Marine and Reef Aquarium technicians of America, MARATA, is a new organization that aims to network and certify the best of the best aquarium maintenance companies in the country. Starting today, professional marine aquarium service companies will be able to apply for membership to MARATA which already boasts some of the most reputable companies in the business. With Aquarium Design Group, Aquatic Art, Old Town Aquarium and House of Fins already on the MARATA roster, new members could not be in better company.
Membership to MARATA will allow participants to communicate with the organization through their exclusive mailing list, and it will communicate to potential service customers that your company is commited to business excellence. For a limited time, when you mention Reef Builders in your application the $45 fee will be waived. With the abundance of aquarium owners who have their tanks maintained by professional service companies, this kind of organization is well overdue. Check out the MARATA website and follow the break for the full press release.
We’ve all seen them: poorly planned, carelessly maintained saltwater aquariums in public places. With sickly fish, dying corals and more algae than a turf scrubber, these aquariums hurt the reputations of everyone involved in the industry, and especially those of the people who make a living maintaining tanks.
A new national organization is launching this month, the Marine And Reef Aquarium Technicians of America. MARATA’s primary purpose is to raise the bar for the quality of marine aquariums maintained by professional aquarium technicians. MARATA is tackling this challenge on several fronts, beginning with the certification of both independent and LFS-affiliated aquarium technicians. The brunt of the certification consists of a standardized examination, SAT/ GRE style, and administered online.
MARATA membership provides many benefits, all designed to help the good guys, the techs who really know their stuff, get a fin up on the competition. Apart from the bragging rights and client reassurance the certification provides, there’s also a growing list of equipment discounts available to members. And recognizing the necessity of proper insurance coverage for people who play with water and electricity, MARATA will soon be offering discounted insurance to members who require it. There’s also an exclusive Google Groups mailing list, focused on advanced questions encountered by those in the industry. No more sifting through countless centralized “Help! Aiptasia!” threads to find the answers you need… get them straight from other pros in the business.
MARATA has left the gate at full gallop with a collection of the biggest names in the industry aboard. Take a look at their Partners page to see who’s standing behind them. Take a look at their Q&A for answers to common questions. And apply for certification before December 31st and have the $45 application fee waived… just mention Reefbuilders in your application.
