A Suggestion For Young Fishfolk

Hello, youngbloods. We old dogs love what you’re doing, and want to see you succeed.

Keep doing what you’re doing, and never stop learning. I know it can be hard to do what you want to do on a small budget.

So here’s my advice, which I’ve posted once already in another thread:

Start a Kickstartr or GoFundMe to raise the money for that tank, light, or filter you want but can’t afford. Make videos where you show us your tank. You’d be surprised at how fast the old folks will pony up $5 here and $20 there just to see you pursue what you’re passionate about.

We love it when you do that.

Hard to not get behind a youngling asking smart questions but without the wherewithal to build the tank they’re dreaming of.

 

Good idea.....
But to me, go-fund-me and the like is begging. It’s ok when for a good cause, but kinda tacky when for personal wants.
“Raising money” ( to me,) means doing something to earn it.
Change my mind?

Not slamming the idea, could be great for young kids with no income at all.
I’m early 20s, and whether it’s pride or scruples, it doesn’t feel right to me....
I wish it did!!

 

Good idea.....
But to me, go-fund-me and the like is begging. It’s ok when for a good cause, but kinda tacky when for personal wants.
“Raising money” ( to me,) means doing something to earn it.
Change my mind?

Not slamming the idea, could be great for young kids with no income at all.
I’m early 20s, and whether it’s pride or scruples, it doesn’t feel right to me....
I wish it did!!

I don’t disagree entirely. Ask me for money for a new sound system for your car, and see how far that gets you.

The distinction I draw here is this. If you’re going to be successful in keeping one tank, much less multiple tanks, there’s a lot you need to learn. If you’re going to cycle a tank, you’re going to need to learn about Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates, and bacteria. If you’re going to keep invertebrates, certain catfish, etc., you’re going to avoid Copper. You’ll learn about pH, salinity, etc.

And I bet you start paying a lot more attention and asking a lot more/better questions in your science classes.

This is why I felt like “access to video of my new tank” was good. Show me what you’re doing with that twenty bucks I donated to the cause. Show me what you’re learning.

Education is underfunded enough in this country as it is. I’m FAR from wealthy, but I place a very high value on young folks using their minds. If it means I have to bust my backside and sweat an extra hour a week so a kid somewhere can get into a studly DIY science project, I’m going to do it.

Hope that clarifies what I meant. I’m not talking about getting something for nothing. I’m talking about those of us with a dollar here or a dollar there maybe helping young folks to be passionate about a hobby that will require them, by default, to ask questions, do their reading, and get into science.

To take it a step farther, once that kid grows up to be a Biologist and makes good money, they might even remember how they came to be where they are and decide to do something to encourage young folks to do the same.

 

I don’t disagree entirely. Ask me for money for a new sound system for your car, and see how far that gets you.

The distinction I draw here is this. If you’re going to be successful in keeping one tank, much less multiple tanks, there’s a lot you need to learn. If you’re going to cycle a tank, you’re going to need to learn about Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates, and bacteria. If you’re going to keep invertebrates, certain catfish, etc., you’re going to avoid Copper. You’ll learn about pH, salinity, etc.

And I bet you start paying a lot more attention and asking a lot more/better questions in your science classes.

This is why I felt like “access to video of my new tank” was good. Show me what you’re doing with that twenty bucks I donated to the cause. Show me what you’re learning.

Education is underfunded enough in this country as it is. I’m FAR from wealthy, but I place a very high value on young folks using their minds. If it means I have to bust my backside and sweat an extra hour a week so a kid somewhere can get into a studly DIY science project, I’m going to do it.

Hope that clarifies what I meant. I’m not talking about getting something for nothing. I’m talking about those of us with a dollar here or a dollar there maybe helping young folks to be passionate about a hobby that will require them, by default, to ask questions, do their reading, and get into science.

To take it a step farther, once that kid grows up to be a Biologist and makes good money, they might even remember how they came to be where they are and decide to do something to encourage young folks to do the same.

That totally clarifies! I see now.
I guess I focused more on the “go fund me” than the “ videos of my new tank”
So it’s somewhat like a community garden?—the kids get their hands dirty and learn from the adults: who buy the seeds and smile through the window at the bees buzzing and corn tasseling.

The educational aspect is definitely worth mentioning. There’s that old adage, “Tell me, I forget. Show me, I understand. Let me do it, I will remember.”
I really enjoyed biology, but what I remember now is slim b/c I don’t *need* to know the inns and outs of meiosis in daily life.
Something hands on, that’s used knowledge is much more likely to stick long term.

Thx for being patient with me,
I’m young enough to be ignorant, yet
old enough to be skeptical of technology. =-)

 

So it’s somewhat like a community garden?—the kids get their hands dirty and learn from the adults: who buy the seeds and smile through the window at the bees buzzing and corn tasseling.

Such a beautiful analogy. You hit the nail on the head. I’m a horticulturist by trade, and owned my own business for years. When I would do plant shows, I’d always end up with one or two very enthusiastic middle- or high-school kids coming up to my booth. Once they’d picked out their plants I’d tell them, “I have bad news and good news. The bad news is, I can’t sell you any of those plants...the good news is that I’ll share them with you.”

One such interaction evolved into a mentoring relationship with an exceptionally gifted young guy. I’ve known him seven or eight years. I want to say he’s 21 now.

At first, it was all about teaching him whatever he had the willingness and capacity to learn, which was a lot. That has since changed.

These days, the student has become the teacher. He knows more about orchids and carnivorous plants than I ever will, but I’m willing to learn what he’s willing to teach.

Can’t go wrong investing in the future.

And you weren’t being ignorant in the least, I just hadn’t explained what I meant correctly. I’m in complete agreement with you about the importance of young folks learning that they need to earn things. Not to be patronizing, but whoever raised you should be proud that you understand such an important thing.

 

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And you weren’t being ignorant in the least, I just hadn’t explained what I meant correctly. I’m in complete agreement with you about the importance of young folks learning that they need to earn things. Not to be patronizing, but whoever raised you should be proud that you understand such an important thing.
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Aww, thanks.
Your kind words just made my day.

 

I'm fresh out of college (class of 2020 ugh no grad ceremony) and lost my job due to the pandemic, so I'm shooting out all kinds of job apps right now so I can get on my feet and move out of my childhood home. I'm very lucky to have a supportive family so I can live here rent free and afford to spend a little of my savings on having an aquarium while I'm stuck with not much to do.
One thing I've done to make cash is use an app called StreetBees - now I know, we all hate to hear about surveys because most are scams, but this app is the real deal. Take a survey for .30? It's sent to your paypal within a week. I made $38 off it last month - that's how I've been setting up my new aquarium without dipping into my savings much. I think with a parent's permission, a kid could get a paypal (or use the parents') and do these surveys easy. It's mostly taking pictures of food, house cleaning, pets, and answering questions about it, and you can make some money.
Anyone who needs a little extra for their hobby or anything really can use this. A little over a month of using this app for cash, if you're diligent and do a lot of the surveys (they're all pretty quick), and you can afford that Blue Dream shrimp colony you've always wanted Just gotta be creative with your side hustles. I even bought and flipped violins outside my regular job while in college so I could use that little extra bit of cash to fill my 5 gallon with nice plants and a really nice betta, and when that was set up, I made enough with my side hustle selling stuff that I could treat myself to a lobster dinner without using the money I made with my job. Creativity is key when looking to make money when you need extra cash

Edit, I get nothing from recommending this app, I just like sharing

 

But to me, go-fund-me and the like is begging. It’s ok when for a good cause, but kinda tacky when for personal wants.
“Raising money” ( to me,) means doing something to earn it.

I'm with you there. It's not that it's like "begging" to me, but I think it does give kids a wrong impression of how things work. As a teacher (though admittedly, I mainly teach adults and my youngest students are about 16.), I feel like it is almost dangerous, because what if the kids get the impression that it's easier to do this instead of working? Even with the economy being as problematic as it is right now, I'd let kids rather do some (age-appropriate) work, than let them ask strangers for money for something that - let's face it - is a luxury to have. And responsible adults should rather give to charity than to a first-world-country kid that just wants a fish tank.
Otherwise I think it's an important life lesson to know that you don't always get what you want and it builds up self-confidence to be somewhat self-reliant early on by saving up allowance or working for it.

Also, I think if I remember correctly, it's against the policies of many such sites to open accounts when under a certain age.

 

I'm with you there. It's not that it's like "begging" to me, but I think it does give kids a wrong impression of how things work. As a teacher (though admittedly, I mainly teach adults and my youngest students are about 16.), I feel like it is almost dangerous, because what if the kids get the impression that it's easier to do this instead of working? Even with the economy being as problematic as it is right now, I'd let kids rather do some (age-appropriate) work, than let them ask strangers for money for something that - let's face it - is a luxury to have. And responsible adults should rather give to charity than to a first-world-country kid that just wants a fish tank.
Otherwise I think it's an important life lesson to know that you don't always get what you want and it builds up self-confidence to be somewhat self-reliant early on by saving up allowance or working for it.

Also, I think if I remember correctly, it's against the policies of many such sites to open accounts when under a certain age.

I’m a former middle- and high-school teacher myself. Don’t disagree even slightly about learning the importance of working for the things you need/want. I also don’t disagree in the least that a tank is a luxury, particularly these days.

I do respectfully disagree, just a little, with a few of your points, although I prefer to think of it as bouncing different ideas back and forth, and if you disagree with my disagreements, I’m totally willing to hear it with an open mind.

I don’t think it’s dangerous, and I don’t think it gives kids the wrong idea about the way things work, so long as it’s done the right way. There’s nothing wrong with physical labor, but there’s also nothing wrong with using your knowledge and gift of gab to create new content that educates and entertains people. When I was teaching, I’d always ask my kids what they thought they might want to do for a living some day, and I got the same answers most of the time. Doctor. Lawyer. When I asked them why, most of them didn’t have an answer. I’d tell them, “you’re approaching this the wrong way. You’re thinking about how you can make a lot of money. People who do that hit forty and have to figure out how to not hate their lives, because their job drains them. Instead, figure out what you’re passionate about, THEN figure out how to monetize it.”

Trenzalore’s post is a great example. When you want what you want, you’ll hustle for it. I respect that. What if, rather than taking online surveys to generate that extra cash, he were able to make videos of his tanks that entertain and educate? He’d be doing what he clearly loves and sharing that knowledge and passion with others.

The last time I was on, I came across a thread a young gal posted about breeding Otocinclus. She’s got videos. She’s doing the trial and error thing. Personally, I’ve never kept them. Had no idea they were so tricky to breed. Feel like she’s intellectually exploring and reporting her findings to the tribe. I learned from her.

I may not have much, but I’d chip in five bucks for that.

And that, I think, is the key.

It’s voluntary. If people don’t feel like their money is going toward something worthwhile, they won’t do it, and that’s fine. There are countless adults, however, that actually earn a living via YouTube channels, podcasts, blogs, books, etc. My own rate for speaking engagements is $100 an hour, which is far more than I make at my day job. They’re happy to pay it, because I’ve followed my passions down the rabbit hole and I have specialized knowledge about plants that they value.

The other thing (and I mean no disrespect) you mentioned is donating to charities. Although there are exceptions, nonprofits are generally some of the biggest ripoffs on the planet. Personally, I feel better about ponying up a couple bucks to see a kid do something to expand their mind, knowing that 100% of it is going to a good cause, than I would about donating to a big charity, knowing that only a percent of what I gave is actually going toward the intended cause.

No rudeness intended, Mac. Have read a lot of your posts, and have nothing but respect.

 

I’m a former middle- and high-school teacher myself. Don’t disagree even slightly about learning the importance of working for the things you need/want. I also don’t disagree in the least that a tank is a luxury, particularly these days.

I do respectfully disagree, just a little, with a few of your points, although I prefer to think of it as bouncing different ideas back and forth, and if you disagree with my disagreements, I’m totally willing to hear it with an open mind.

I don’t think it’s dangerous, and I don’t think it gives kids the wrong idea about the way things work, so long as it’s done the right way. There’s nothing wrong with physical labor, but there’s also nothing wrong with using your knowledge and gift of gab to create new content that educates and entertains people. When I was teaching, I’d always ask my kids what they thought they might want to do for a living some day, and I got the same answers most of the time. Doctor. Lawyer. When I asked them why, most of them didn’t have an answer. I’d tell them, “you’re approaching this the wrong way. You’re thinking about how you can make a lot of money. People who do that hit forty and have to figure out how to not hate their lives, because their job drains them. Instead, figure out what you’re passionate about, THEN figure out how to monetize it.”

Trenzalore’s post is a great example. When you want what you want, you’ll hustle for it. I respect that. What if, rather than taking online surveys to generate that extra cash, he were able to make videos of his tanks that entertain and educate? He’d be doing what he clearly loves and sharing that knowledge and passion with others.

The last time I was on, I came across a thread a young gal posted about breeding Otocinclus. She’s got videos. She’s doing the trial and error thing. Personally, I’ve never kept them. Had no idea they were so tricky to breed. Feel like she’s intellectually exploring and reporting her findings to the tribe. I learned from her.

I may not have much, but I’d chip in five bucks for that.

And that, I think, is the key.

It’s voluntary. If people don’t feel like their money is going toward something worthwhile, they won’t do it, and that’s fine. There are countless adults, however, that actually earn a living via YouTube channels, podcasts, blogs, books, etc. My own rate for speaking engagements is $100 an hour, which is far more than I make at my day job. They’re happy to pay it, because I’ve followed my passions down the rabbit hole and I have specialized knowledge about plants that they value.

The other thing (and I mean no disrespect) you mentioned is donating to charities. Although there are exceptions, nonprofits are generally some of the biggest ripoffs on the planet. Personally, I feel better about ponying up a couple bucks to see a kid do something to expand their mind, knowing that 100% of it is going to a good cause, than I would about donating to a big charity, knowing that only a percent of what I gave is actually going toward the intended cause.

No rudeness intended, Mac. Have read a lot of your posts, and have nothing but respect.

All good, we're mostly on the same page. I honestly don't see a need to discuss the few disagreements as I can see your point and think it's best to just agree to disagree. Especially as I'm right now sitting at my desk in the classroom while my students are working through their exercises.

Just one thing: There are not only charities that are selfrunners financing their own existence. I'd rather give to a local than an international one. But I think this is more of a cultural difference. Here in Europe many things would be far worse were there no NGOs stepping in.

 

All good, we're mostly on the same page. I honestly don't see a need to discuss the few disagreements as I can see your point and think it's best to just agree to disagree. Especially as I'm right now sitting at my desk in the classroom while my students are working through their exercises.

Just one thing: There are not only charities that are selfrunners financing their own existence. I'd rather give to a local than an international one. But I think this is more of a cultural difference. Here in Europe many things would be far worse were there no NGOs stepping in.

I can see where you’re coming from, too. I’ve been working since I was fifteen. It definitely gives a young person a sense of accomplishment to earn things rather than being handed a blank check. Changes the way you spend, too. When I’m weighing the pros and cons of a purchase, I often find myself thinking about the cost not in terms of dollars and cents, but in terms of the number of hours I had to work to earn that money, and asking myself how I can make that thing pay for itself. For example, if I’m going to spend a lot of money on a rare plant, it’s never just to have it; I’m already thinking about how fast I can propagate it, how easy/difficult it’s going to be to sell what I replicate, and what is the ideal price point for it.

Not really surprising that a lifelong hobby finally evolved into a career. I definitely owe a lot of that to growing up poor and having to hustle for anything beyond basic needs.

You’re European; I’m envious. Do you mind if I ask which country? I’m predominantly of northern Irish/southern German descent on both sides.