Amanda

Anyone else feeling the pinch when it comes to keeping up with life in general as far are $$ and keeping up this hobby? It's seriously looking like I may have to make a choice as to what I want more, my car or my tanks.

Shawnie

you young keepers have the added college and such as well...I am proud you keep it all !!!!

but yes even us oldies have a hard time too....its just some of us have more time to work more to feed our hobbys...where as you all have school and such ontop of all the rest of life.....I hope you can keep your one big tank if nothing else...good luck!

Amanda

Thanks Shawnie. I'm thinking that I'll probably only keep the 150, and sell my 55 & 20.

peacemaker92

I know how you feel, Amanda. Sort of. I'm trying so hard to save $$ for my new laptop which I've been dreaming about for months. But I keep digging out of my savings to maintain my tanks. And I think I might be spending some more to get 10 gal. MTS?

navyscuba

I know I feel like some one is choaking me.

Amanda

I'm glad it's not just me...
I LOVE this hobby & it would kill me to give it up, but my car's going on the road this week & then there's college where I'm a full-time student. And I'm already working 2 jobs. So I'm not sure what else I can do.

Beth1965

I find that I spend far too much money on plants. I don't see myself stopping or limiting it either. As they say, beg, borrow and steal.
I for sure don't mean to diminish the situation.....I sincerely hope you are able to keep it all.
Beth

Robin4

Butterfly

Yes it's getting tight all over unfortunately. Hang in there do what you need to then later if you can/desire to you can accumulate more tanks. But always know we are here and we are free
Carol

Shawnie

some members do allot of trading for plants ...not to take away from amandas thread by any means, but trading with members and offering things that might not be in use by yourself, but in need for another is a great way to save money...whenever you have cuttings, offer them..whenever you are looking for equiptment and such, ask in the b/s/t section...I know I have a ton of stuff im getting ready to go through to offer for something I might need...just a thought for all

Amanda

I agree with Shawnie on the b/s/t forum. A great resource for everyone!
I always look there for not only plants/equipment, but I also contact known breeders in the forum about deals on fish I want too.

eiginh

If you do have to give your tanks away remember that once your past college and have your life settled down you can always buy more tanks

Amanda

I know...and my boyfriend has really gotten into fishkeping...so that's a good thing I guess. It's just kind of a bummer to have to choose between things I enjoy.

Tony G.

oh amanda im sorry i feel ya. Its tough all around lol Hope you can keep a your tanks and everything works out for you.

Amanda

Thanks Tony

Peffico

OH tell me about it. Being 21 is harsh on finances. Between Rent, bills, gas, more bills, school, and car maintenance it gets tough. I'm just glad my tank doesn't need that much work.

Well good luck manda. Hopefully you can pull through.

Red1313

<hugs>
I hear you. I'm about to bite the bullet in about 20 minuets and go talk to a nearby grocery store about a job. Money's tight and as a student so is time. I'm really glad right now that my two big tanks are really lightly stocked (ie 1 fish) so that if I "forget" WC's there really isn't an issue.
Sending you super hugs and wishing you the best with whatever happens.

bolivianbaby

Amanda,

Things are rough all over right now, but THEY WILL get better. If you have any choice, my advice would be to hang onto the tanks, even if you have to re-home the fish. That will be less $$ out of your pocket later on WHEN, NOT IF, you're able to get the tanks re-stocked. If you have to sell a tank or two, try to get as much money as you can for them, even if it means waiting on the right person (person willing to pay a higher price) to come along and buy them. The higher price of course wouldn't apply to friends or family. The more money you can get for them of course, the lower your financial strain.

Hang in there, and please know we're always here

Amanda

Thanks everyone...I'm still waiting to make a decision, my boyfriend doesn't want the tanks gone. So I guess we'll see.

Gouramiguy17

I have been pinching pennies since I started the hobby, there is always another something I need and for a teen that can't work yet it is harsh, my only income I get is my 2$ a week allowence, I have to save 5 weeks to buy a pair of dwarf goursmis, it's sad

Slug

I'm lucky i don't have to feel it right now, but i've been there done that. Sure i'll feel it again too.

Remember, DIY projects can help limit costs as well. You'll feel great about it too, being able to put something together with your hands and have it work just as well as store bought, great feeling.

AlyeskaGirl

I am sorry you are feeling this way Amanda, I hope it all works out for you and your fish. <hugs>

I don't spend much on my 3 tanks anymore now that they are established and going strong but they are not big tanks eather. Amanda, I can see why you would be having money problems here, buying a huge tank isn't cheap especially the things you need to just set it up. I couldn't afford it. It would have to be done slowly. Do you have everything for the tank now?

Amanda

I still need a glass top & gravel for the 150. I already have a Rena canister filter rated for upto 265 gal.

bolivianbaby

Man, I wish you lived closer! I have PLENTY of gravel, even enough to fill a 150.

Amanda

The gravel is what's going to kill me...and my mom wants me to buy jacks fot the floor under it - those are like $60 a piece!

bolivianbaby

I wish it didn't weigh so much. I could ship it to you. Unfortunately, with the weight, it would cost as much as it would to buy it.

Why does she want you to buy jacks? Couldn't you use plywood? That would distribute the weight evenly.

Amanda

She wants jacks for the basement underneath...even though it's going to be on a supporting wall...ugh

Nick G

If the tank is going to be sitting on a genuine supporting wall then you won't need any extra support Amanda. Supporting walls can handle an immense amount of weight.

Amanda

I know that, but my mother is crazy & is convinced that it's going to crash through the floor into the basement.

Nick G

Your tank would be approx 570litres, which is converts to 570 kilos, plus stand, gravel etc. Say the final weight was 650kg. An average person weighs about 70kg. If you had 10 people stood in a line where you want to put the tank would they fall through the floor? Of course not. Thats how I explained it to the wife when she wanted extra support for the 90gal. Maybe try explaining it that way?