Home-Based aquarium plants and supplies shop

Home aquarium hobbyists, planted tank fans and beginners who prefer ordering online or want a specialist source.

Mark-up on products sold through your own website or marketplaces, plus shipping charges. Starter kits and subscription-style plant or food bundles can encourage repeat orders.

• Knowledge of aquarium plants and equipment
• Photography and writing good product listings
• Packing and shipping organization
• Responding quickly to customers online

• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence and whether customer pickup is allowed at your address
• Check rules on which aquatic plants and animals can be sold or moved, as some are restricted under federal and provincial invasive species rules
• Selling live fish or invertebrates may bring extra licensing, animal welfare and shipping rules, so check with your province before offering them
• Live plants can be damaged by Canadian winter weather and shipping delays, so consider pausing shipping in extreme cold
• Commercial general liability insurance and home insurance that covers business use and stock
• GST/HST and any provincial sales tax, and shipping costs that can cut into your margin

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on stock, packaging and shipping supplies. Monthly revenue is estimated at about $800 to $5,000, depending on your range and how many orders you ship.

Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence and allows customer pickup at your address. Also check federal and provincial invasive species rules for plants and animals, extra licensing if you offer live fish, and insurance covering business use and stock.

Estimates suggest at least about 8 hours a week, depending on order volume. Useful skills include knowledge of aquarium plants and equipment, photography and product listings, packing and shipping organization, and quick customer replies online.