How to convince my mom I need a another tank. MTS is a pain.

CelestialPearlDanioFann

CelestialPearlDanioFann

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Title says it all, Younger teenager and want to get another 10 gallon. Im only two months in the hobby and already have two tanks. Gardneri Killifish are so cool. Just need one more tank.

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It will be difficult to help without more information. Why is she reluctant to let you get another tank?
 

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Tell her you want to run a biology project to determine genetic lines of killifish via breeding them and comparing the off springs to the parents.
 
  • Thread Starter
  • #5
Because I already have two tanks. Dirt poor (me not my family) and I'm still new to the hobby. Huh The genetics sounds like a good idea. Maybe I could say its for extra credit. Actually no it wouldn't work. For one, I Don't have a lot of room, two, Im already spent 90% of my money on a 14 gallon that got fish in it only 6 days ago.
 
I'm in the same boat but not just with fish. I've been into this since I was 7 and am now almost 15. Give it time, maybe they think your rushing into this to fast. I have 6 tanks including my reptiles and crabs. Also think into the future. You'll have to find a partner that will put up with all of your fish some day lol.

Bettas
13

Aquatic Snails
3

Corydoras Catfish
6

Guppies
4

Leopard geckos
2

Hermit crabs
8

Ducks
5

Goats
1 (she is is with my parents goats)
 

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  • #7
Dang that is impressive. Yes they probably think I rushed this a lot. I think I could potentially earn a little bit of money with the killis but not as the main goal for them. Just cool fish. I will wait a little, Give it time get some money then... Fish will rain. Rain rain rain. I hope lol. I want a 75 or something for christmas.
 
Only two months in and you already have 2 tanks is nothing to sneeze at. Be happy and enjoy!

Also, be sure to keep up with them. (maintenance wise) If Mom sees them going to pot you'll surely be cut off!
 
  • Thread Starter
  • #10
I might go saltwater for christmas. Going to next class be half an hour. Ideas ideas...

Maybe I could say that MTS will kill the host if they dont get a new tank more often....

Im good about my 50 percent weekly water changes i always do
 
Nothing wrong at all with MTS, however I would make sure it's something you truly want as you are still new to the hobby. It's a fine line between being a fantastic hobby and feeling like an unwanted chore when maintenance becomes a longer/more difficult task. As soon as it feels like work, well... that's why you see soo many postings on marketplace, craigslist, etc for aquariums.

At the end of the day, you are making a commitment to these animals to do the best you can for them while they are in your care, and sometimes that can be quite a few years. You have your whole life to keep expanding your collection, I would give your last set up a a bit more time to settle in than just 6 days before jumping into the next project.

It's easy to love the novelty of something when its new and you still have the butterfly feeling in your tummy for it. It's quite another when you come home from a long day, want nothing more than to just go to bed or veg out on the couch, but your tanks need work.

Wish you all the best in your endeavors and welcome to the MTS addicts site.
 

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It's a fine line between being a fantastic hobby and feeling like an unwanted chore when maintenance becomes a longer/more difficult task
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A VERY fine line. I would really make sure you want a new tank and are able to do maintenance.
I know ecosystem methods are low maintenance but can be more expensive because you need to buy the plants at startup.
 
I gotta agree. I've been doing this long enough to remember the happy times building up more tanks... and then the happy (er?) times whittling them down to a more easily managed level.
 
  • Thread Starter
  • #14
Ha. yeah that's all true, I'm sure. I find WCs almost enjoyable. I'm not trying ti get it now just. erg i think it will be difficult in times ahead to get tanks. There's just so many cool fish. And all the compatibility issues are a pain.

I think I've gone to far to drop out now. I sure hope I don't

MTS addicts. Yeah don't come here if you don't want it. Lol

Another great thing. My mom is interested in the hobby and has a betta. I want to get it a bigger tank and a "friend" if he's not aggressive.

Also on a side note. I have two accounts. I have told mods. (I'm not sure the message went through to them. Coradee?) I can explain more if needed... Soo yeah I have like 250 combined post count. But thanks.:)
 
My main concern as a parent would be how long your enthusiasm for these tanks would last. At 2 months, you're still squarely in the honeymoon phase with your first tank. How do I know that you are seriously committed to all of these tanks for the long haul? After all, these fish will live for years, and their care will be no less important at that time than it is now.

You are moving very fast, which is what concerns me the most. If you already had a year or more under your belt, then I wouldn't hesitate to allow you to grow your hobby. But after only 2 months you haven't proven yourself yet.

So how would you prove yourself?

First, I would want to see you put together a 5 year plan. 3 tanks is a commitment, and I would want to know how you plan to manage that commitment over time. This plan should explain the following:
  • How will you pay for the upfront, and ongoing costs of all these tanks?
  • Where will you put your new tank? Is this spot suitable for the next 5 years?
  • Will you have time year-round to maintain all 3 tanks consistently? Do you have a busy time of year? If so explain how you will manage your time during that period.
  • What is your long-term stocking plan? What are the needs of these fish, and how will you meet them?
  • How will you rehome these fish if you lose interest later on? Is there a person or establishment that would take them?
  • Do you plan to go to college, or move out of the house? Your hobby may need to take a hiatus during this time. How will you prepare for that?
And the second thing would be to demonstrate your commitment over time. This probably isn't what you want to hear. But you would need to show me unwavering commitment, and a high quality of care for your current tanks for the next several months. There's just no way I'd allow your newfound hobby to escalate so quickly without proving yourself first.

So prove yourself. All the good things in life take time and effort. This hobby a good thing, so be prepared to earn it.
 
  • Thread Starter
  • #16
Yup I agree with everything mentioned. These are all very good points. I am not trying to get a new tank right now. Just maybe in a while. Well gotta go to lunch. Bye and Thanks
 
First, I would maintain your aquariums for a while in order to prove to your parents that you can take care of your tanks. I have a 20 gallon long, and a slight algae outbreak is enough to get me questioned. Just keep your tanks in good shape for a while, and then ask your parents later. If they still say no, inquire what their reasoning is.
 
haha that's a good idea linda1234 I might try that.
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Speaking as a parent, I would not recommend lying to her. She's likely to find out at some point. Do you want her to not trust you in the future?
 
  • Thread Starter
  • #19
They would probably say yes if I waited quite a while and paid for it. Which I am going to do. I honestly made this thread half jokingly got good advice and food for thought thank you. Have a good day
 
Well, I can really imagine that parents are careful trusting their child with MTS. I would go for showing your parents that you can maintain a tank in a serious way. That would be one of the proper things to do to convince your parents. But again, I do understand a parents mind as well.
 
Well, I can really imagine that parents are careful trusting their child with MTS. I would go for showing your parents that you can maintain a tank in a serious way. That would be one of the proper things to do to convince your parents. But again, I do understand a parents mind as well.
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Exactly. The best way to convince a parent to give more responsibility is to do a good job with current responsibilities.
 

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  • Thread Starter
  • #22
Yup. I agree these are all great points.

Goals: Keel fish happy and healthy. Talk parents into 55+ in 10months
 
Also, don't drop in on them all at once. Hint every once in a while, but don't make it annoying. And ya, as others have said. VERY fine line between fun and work. My tanks are heavily live planted so I personally don't to a lot of maintenance. I don't even run a filter. I've spend thousands on my fish. Proper fish keeping is addictive though, you never stop at 1 tank. If your parents say no, leave it be. It is their house, their rules. You will move out one day and have your own house and your own rules. Common concerns my parents have/had:

Waste of money
If the tank or filter breaks it will flood thus wrecking their house
To much weight on the floor
You'll get sick of it
Uses their electricity they have to pay for
You have enough
Do it when you move out
Tell her you want to run a biology project to determine genetic lines of killifish via breeding them and comparing the off springs to the parents.
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Lying is no way to get what you want.
 
Also, don't drop in on them all at once. Hint every once in a while, but don't make it annoying. And ya, as others have said. VERY fine line between fun and work. My tanks are heavily live planted so I personally don't to a lot of maintenance. I don't even run a filter. I've spend thousands on my fish. Proper fish keeping is addictive though, you never stop at 1 tank. Common concerns my parents have/had:

Waste of money
If the tank or filter breaks it will flood thus wrecking their house
To much weight on the floor
You'll get sick of it
Uses their electricity they have to pay for
You have enough
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You have enough is the answer most of the time as well as to much weight on the floor.
(I really want a 3rd tank, a small saltwater tank with a clownfish and coral.)
 
You have enough is the answer most of the time as well as to much weight on the floor.
(I really want a 3rd tank, a small saltwater tank with a clownfish and coral.)
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Ya, a lot of floors cant handle that much weight without additional bracing.
 
I mean, you could tell her you wanted to run an experiment on your fish! Don’t tell her it’s for a class though, it’s for your fun! And actually do the experiment!
 
It does bring back memories of being a teenager and going through similar things myself. I particularly remember when I saw two 4ft tanks plus stand advertised second hand in the local paper classifieds, really cheap. I had actually been keeping fish for a good while before this. I am afraid I nagged and nagged until they gave in. I do think the turning point was when I said that I wanted to study and work with fish later on. It was not a lie and I did.

Lately its been a similar thing with my husband, glad to say I have won again!

Honestly though, as you are very new to fish keeping its best to be patient and as others have said, prove to your mum that you are committed and prepared to take on the work involved.
 
Title says it all, Younger teenager and want to get another 10 gallon. Im only two months in the hobby and already have two tanks. Gardneri Killifish are so cool. Just need one more tank.

Suggestions?
Click to expand...
You need to come up with a plan, think of it as a pitch meeting. Thats how I convinced my mom to let me go from a 20 gallon to a 40b
 
Lol, my mom is very set on me having no more tanks. or no more fish. She was not super happy about me buying another betta last night... As far as I know, patience is always a good thing to have.
 

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