Lifesabeach

Yesterday morning, I had an appointment with a long standing past client who wants me to quote a freestanding display cabinet. Years ago, I built a kitchen for he and his wife in a previous house, and other joinery. I also built a tank base and canopy for them.
After a few years, I remade their base and canopy in an up grade. This was before I took any real interest in fish keeping. Then several years ago, they built a larger new home, and we did all their joinery for them, and later some desks and book shelves.
Sadly, when he recently contacted me for a small job, he advised that he and his wife had split. Although our relationship is really work basis, you get to know people after awhile and you do feel for them. They had built their dream home, and I was happy for them, and then things change.
Anyway, the display cabinet is to be positioned where the tank is situated. Of course, I was interested in his tank setup, and he stated that he is getting rid of it as he has lost interest. He was going to give it away. He has only one fish in it - a catfish that measures 18 inches long, and apparently still growing. It looks healthy and you can see that the tank is well looked after, but with the tank measuring 48x24x18 deep, it is way too small for the catfish.
I indicated that it would have to find a new home in a larger tank, and he was of the opinion that it would only grow according to tank size, which I explained was not correct.
He had already offered the tank to someone who has had no prior experience (I immediately felt sorry for the fish), and then said I could have the whole setup as he was worried about the welfare of the fish. It includes an Eheim canister larger than a 2213, decorations, plants and lighting, and of course, the tank base and lid we built! Well then I declared my interest.
Now I knew that I was up against it. Back home, I'm explaining the story to Mrs Life, and she is so against me getting this tank, even for free! I've even offered to shut down the 60 litre tank as an option.
I think I've said before - she is my anchor!
If I can convince the current owner that the catfish cannot stay in that size tank, and I could find a new home for it, I could then store the tank at my workshop. At least then, I pick up the filter! And you never know, Hilda could soften as she gets older!

Shawnie

aww what a sad/great story....I would love to see a pic of that tank..sounds amazing....I hope your anchor softens a bit!!! and hopefully the catfish gets a new bigger home!! good luck!

ps..is her name really hilda? LOL

Lifesabeach

Sometimes!

aquarist48

Hello Life! Great story. Always a pleasure to read your posts. I hope you can work it out even if it is just to house in your shop for the time being. I can just see those wheels in motion! Please tell Mrs. Life that all of us here at Fish Lore voted for you to have an additional tank, set up wherever you like and that we're sorry she wasn't here to cast her vote!
Ken

Shawnie

thought so

Borisbbadd

Have you tried flowers, lots and lots of flowers.

Jewelry would'nt hurt either.................................

If all else fails, begging sometimes works....

Randy

Lifesabeach

The wheels are certainly turning!

After 21 years of marriage? No chance! (she might be blonde, but...)

Lifesabeach

I start to worry when she starts doing the goose step!

Borisbbadd

It's never really worked for me either.............

Mine can do the goose step also, and she has the accent to go with it ..........

Time

I will "luckily" always have MTS. I hope Mrs. Life reconsiders. Good Luck!

Lifesabeach

I spoke with the owner today. Looks like the tank is mine if I want it. The catfish is the eel tail variety and can grow to a whopping 90cm! I have convinced him that it requires a big home! He is very much attached to it, so he wants to make sure that it goes to a good home.
The owner of a fish store near my place says that he knows several people with large ponds, with one in particular that has a larger eel tail catfish. I suggested the tank owner talk to him.
Although I get a tank, it looks like it will be in storage for awhile One of the decorations is a large sunken pirate ship. Not sure if that will fit into my aquascaping ideas, but am certainly looking forward to that filter.
While I would love to have the catfish, my pond is full of mainly comets and shubunkins, and I think they would become 'cat' food!

aquarist48

Good morning Life! It's wonderful of you to look out for the catfish that you don't even own. Agreed, I don't think I would add it to your pond either and risk losing your beautiful goldfish (I love Shubunkins and had them years ago). Sounds like a really great find. I'll be looking forward to the day that you pull it out of storage!
Ken

Lifesabeach

As you said ken, the wheels are in motion! I'll take some pics of the tank with the catfish before it gets pulled apart. I'm keen on eventually setting up with cichlids. It may take a few 'incidental' visits with Mrs Life to fish stores, and that might get her going (I won't hold my breath).
I have to convince her that I can look after what I have easily. She thinks I've taken on too much already, but she does admire all the fishies, so that's a start.