I'll need your help

[fishlover900]

At the moment i only have a 5g tropical tank and really would like to upgrade to atleast a 20g. The only problem is my parents. They don't think i need one and they think mine is big enough. They don't understand what space they need and that bigger tanks are better. Pleae give me stuff that i can tell my parent sthat will change their minds.

 

[cometcattle]

Tell them your tank is way too small for your upside-down cats, and they will be stunted growing up in a 5g hex.

 

[sammydee]

Tell them it will look beautiful and be an asset to the room. Worked for me!

 

[OohFeeshy]

I have the smame problem. What do they want you to get? My mum wanted me to get a goldfish (before I put a heater in). I put her off by sying, my tank is only 39x29x19 or whatever, the smallest goldy the shop does grows to 19cm, it couldn't move. Well, she said, they only grow to the size of their tanks. What, said I, do you think they put the adult length for a laugh? Get a betta before they can object, then if you go out and they say, what a nice fish, say, well I might be able to get it if I had a bigger tank.

 

[bshockstubb]

I just recently bought a 40 gallon with out my parents permission...its now sitting on the porch waiting for my parents to give in and bring it inside! I think that would make a total of 10 aquariums in the house! Dang that MTS!

 

[noelberg]

Are you footing the bill? If so it's a non-issue in my book. Either way, a 20G or larger is an investment. If you buy a quality tank and take care of it, it will last for years and years.

 

[Jen]

I know you want a bigger tank... I'm the same way. My parents wont let me... and to be honest, it's their house. As much as it sucks I think the only thing you can try is sit down with them, explain all the reasons and hope for the best. If they are really against it they no matter what you say they won't let you. That's just the way parents are.

If you sit down with them and rationally talk about it, then you may get some more answers from them. Ask them what their reasons are for not wanting one in the house - not why they dont want you to have one. Maybe they don't think the house can fit another one in, or maybe they can't afford the extra water/electricity needed to run a bigger tank.

I know if we had to pay per litre of water like some cities do I wouldn't even thing of upgrading.

The only thing you can do is act very adult and talk to them about it.

 

[sammydee]

Tell them it's your hobby and isn't it so much better than smoking or taking drugs or whatever

 

[Angry_Platy]

I just recently bought a 40 gallon with out my parents permission...its now sitting on the porch waiting for my parents to give in and bring it inside! I think that would make a total of 10 aquariums in the house! Dang that MTS!

I wonder if that would work with the BF

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

Hmmm...I have to think what I would have told my kids. I guess it depends who is paying for the tank and equipment. If the parents are paying, then you need to bargain with them. You know, tell them you'll do "X" amount of labor in return for the tank and equipment.

If you are paying for it, then I'm not sure what they are concerned with other than maybe the increased cost of the lighting and heat -- which really should not be much for a 20 gallon.

Tell them this is more than a hobby. It's a learning experience. You are learning about water chemistry and most important -- responsibility. Most hobbies require an upgrade at some point. If you have proven to be responsible and you've had the 5 gallon for quite sometime, then it's time to upgrade so you can continue to expand your knowledge.

 

[Polardbear]

How long have you had the 5 gallon? Maybe they are just concerned that it's a passing hobby and that you won't take care of it? Best bet is to sit down with them and find out what their issues/concerns are and then maybe you can logically address them. Perhaps you need to demonstrate that you'll care for the 5 gallon properly before they'll invest in a larger one. Try working out a deal with them that if you care for the one you have for a set period of time they'll let you upgrade. It worked for me, many, many many years ago, maybe it'll work for you.

 

[littlefishie]

Tell them it's your hobby and isn't it so much better than smoking or taking drugs or whatever

I agree with this one completely -- it works wonders for me.

I started the school year with one betta in a bowl, Ron. Then Blueballs, and later Captain Morgan and Prince Igor. Ron died. Then I got Tinkerbell. Blueballs jumped into the sink. Now I have 4 bettas on my desk.

I also ended up getting a 5g shortly after I bought Ron. By Christmas I wanted to upgrade, and with my birthday money from my family I bought my 15g and filter secondhand, and eventually scraped together money from other sources to stock the tank. At first my parents didn't want me to get the tank, because they were concerned that they'd end up taking care of it when I come home for the summer.
When I pointed out that I've been taking care of all my bettas and the smaller tank since September, they were a little more lenient but they still didn't want me spending all my money on fish.

Finally, I turned around and said "Look. I'm 18, I'm in university, and I can do what I want. I'm buying the fish tank. But try to think of it this way.. I can either spend my money on alcohol and drink with my friends on the weekends, or I can spend it on fish and have my own little stress reliever in my room. Your choice."

They chose fish.

 

[Aj86]

Tell them it's your hobby and isn't it so much better than smoking or taking drugs or whatever

Thats a great answer! haha

 

[OohFeeshy]

If one factor is the price, look around for a cheap, second hand tank. I know I saw one in the free ads the other week that I was going to poke my parents into letting me get, it was a 12UK gallon with hood, filter and something else for £15! Considering tha tank on its own is £21 in the shop.

 

[fishlover900]

I've had the tank for 3 years now. To start of THEY decided to get a TINY TINY TINY tank to have in the kitchen with some guppies in it. They all got board of them. I looked after them and when they all died of old age i upgraded to the 5g tank. Also I do pay for everything!