How To Convince My Parents To Let Me Get Another Tank?

Hey all,
So far I already have 7 tanks! However there is a 72 Gallon bow front on Craigslist for only 30 dollars! My room is pretty much filled with tanks but I think I can squeeze it in. However my parents are not letting me get even though I have the money. How should I convince them to let me get this. Please help I need this tank!

 

Oh wow! That's a lot of tanks! I don't think I can help much with giving advice for another tank! I'm a momma so if you were my kid, I'd say no. I'm sure you will be going off to school soon and they may be worried what will happen to your tanks once you are gone. Sorry to be a downer, but I'm looking at it from the parent view!

 

What are the sizes of all the other tanks? 7 tanks' worth of water in one room could already be putting a strain on the structural integrity of your floors, and adding another 7-800 lbs may not be a very smart idea..

 

I'd be concerned with the weigh of the tanks as well.
What is your parents' reason for not letting you get another tank? A lot of the things I'd suggest to convince them don't really work when you already have a lot of tanks.
When I lived with my parents I argued a lot with them. It's very frustrating when you want something and you can have it, but they won't let you. My mom would always say that since I lived with her and my dad in their home, I'd have to follow their rules. Which I thought was a pretty dumb argument, because sure they pay for the house, etc. but it's as much as their home as it is mine. They'd always say that when I moved out I could do whatever, which I've been enjoying a lot.
I don't know what my point is... Look forward to moving out!

 

Maybe upgrade a smaller tank or two to the 72.

 

Hey all,
So far I already have 7 tanks! However there is a 72 Gallon bow front on Craigslist for only 30 dollars! My room is pretty much filled with tanks but I think I can squeeze it in. However my parents are not letting me get even though I have the money. How should I convince them to let me get this. Please help I need this tank!

I had the same issue a few years ago. But it was over buying a 20 gallon! And all I had was an 8 sitting on the kitchen counter at that point. You're LUCKY that they let you have one tank, let alone seven! Chill out and give them a break. I know they'd do anything for you. And your tanks would break through the floor at that point.

 

I'd agree with some others, they might give in if you get rid of two or three small tanks. Maybe save the small ones for later.

 

Count your blessings. You have more tanks than me and I'm a full grown adult with my own place LOL. Can't get everything you want in life unfortunately and its best you learn this now. What makes you say you need this tank?

 

I appreciate all the comments and I'm starting to see the problems. Also I know I am very fortunate so don't think that I'm trying to be snobbish. I just see this really good price and it sent my fish tank whistles off. I'm kinda addicted!

Move out and buy as much tanks as you can squeeze in your apartment. I only kept bettas when I was living with my mom. When I moved out and started making enough to live comfortably I went on a shopping spree. 9 tanks in a studio 1 125g 4 75 gallon 2 55 gallon and 2 20 long plus 12 betta jars in the kitchen.

Or you can buy the tank set it up without them knowing and hope they don't notice. JK. Don't get me in trouble with your parents.

 

Maybe since it is such a good deal, you could try and convince your parents to let you buy it but just store it in the garage or somewhere for now. At least until you're able to get rid of some smaller tanks or move them around. I agree with the whole weight thing and the fact that 7 tanks is a LOT of tanks lol. But I personally wouldn't want to pass up on a 72 gallon tank for only $30. You could keep it in storage for as long as you want and then use it later in the future without having to pay hundreds of dollars for a tank that size. Just an idea. But if your parents are really adamant about you not buying it, they probably have good reasons.

 

Maaaaaybe you suddenly and rather urgently need a 'quarantine' tank? Maybe this special quarantine tank later (for God knows what reason) requires aquascaping? Maaaaaybe adding a few fish in the quarantine tank helps the sick one get along better? I mean, your parents can't have a sick fish on their conscience, can they? *gasp*
Wink wink.

 

What fish do you have in your smaller tanks? Could any of them be put together in the 72 gallon tank?

Try to show your parents how responsible you are with your fish, show them how healthy all your fish are, show them that you take care of the fish (not your parents), show them your water test results so they can see visually that you do water changes and actually care for your fish. Don't try to trick your parents or anything to get this tank, instead list the pros and cons. Discuss these with your parents, without begging, yelling, or whining. If your parents say no, don't get mad at them, simply accept it, this will help show them how mature you are.

 

Buy and store. I never had to say no to my children because they did not ask for anything that was not already living in our home. (Dogs, cats, birds, fish, hedgehogs, geckos, rabbits, tarantulas) I'm forgetting some but you get my drift. They had friends whose parents wouldn't let them have a goldfish in a bowl (and not because the parents knew that goldfish should not live in bowls) so maybe they knew how lucky they were when it came to the animal issue. I'm guessing your parents are pretty accommodating since you have 7 tanks. Save the 72 for when you start your own zoo in your own place.

 

Hey all,
So far I already have 7 tanks! However there is a 72 Gallon bow front on Craigslist for only 30 dollars! My room is pretty much filled with tanks but I think I can squeeze it in. However my parents are not letting me get even though I have the money. How should I convince them to let me get this. Please help I need this tank!

Accept that the answer is no. You have 7 tanks. Where I live be we pay for our water so I have monitored our water use pre & post tank addition. Same with electricity. And to the poster who says it is much your home as your parents - sorry kiddo. Until you pay the bills yourself you don't get to make the rules.

 

I appreciate all the comments and I'm starting to see the problems. Also I know I am very fortunate so don't think that I'm trying to be snobbish. I just see this really good price and it sent my fish tank whistles off. I'm kinda addicted!

I didn't think you were being snobbish. Its just that in your case, I don't think your folks are being unreasonable or not being supportive of your hobby; after all, they've allowed you to have 7 tanks! That's why I think there's a fair reason why they're saying no. My parents didn't indulge me in any of my hobbies so I think its awesome yours are so open and lenient!

 

Good size for a good price, but if you "compromise" with your parents to get it, it means you can offer to give up some tanks in return for getting and using this one.

 

Accept that the answer is no. You have 7 tanks. Where I live be we pay for our water so I have monitored our water use pre & post tank addition. Same with electricity. And to the poster who says it is much your home as your parents - sorry kiddo. Until you pay the bills yourself you don't get to make the rules.

It is as much his home as it is his parents' home. No one said anything about who should get to make up the rules, I'm just saying that it is annoying not being able to decide what you do in your own home, because someone else is in charge.

 

It is as much his home as it is his parents' home. No one said anything about who should get to make up the rules, I'm just saying that it is annoying not being able to decide what you do in your own home, because someone else is in charge.

I'm sorry but I totally disagree with this. The OP's parents allowed 7 tanks. 7! We get it that he lives there and it is his home as well. But unless he's pulling his own weight financially he should abide by what his parents are telling him.

To OP

If you have a place to store it just get the tank and put it away. $30 is a steal. You don't have to set it up but at least you know you didn't let this good deal go to waste.

 

I'm sorry but I totally disagree with this. The OP's parents allowed 7 tanks. 7! We get it that he lives there and it is his home as well. But unless he's pulling his own weight financially he should abide by what his parents are telling him.

To OP

If you have a place to store it just get the tank and put it away. $30 is a steal. You don't have to set it up but at least you know you didn't let this good deal go to waste.

Please, read what I've written. You're the second person who's disagreeing with me over something I've never said! Nowhere have I written that he shouldn't follow his parents rules.

 

I did read what you said. That's why I said I disagree about your statement that you're annoyed about not being able to decide because someone is in charge. Someone is in charge for a reason because without controlling things like these it can get out of hand.

 

Yes, when I lived at home it annoyed me. Which is why I'm trying to tell him that I get it, if it's frustrating that he can't do whatever he wants.
You can't agree or disagree on whether or not it annoyed me. It's my experience.

 

Oh trust me people will disagree with you whether it's from experience or not. That's life for you.

OP

Let us know if you get the tank. Hopefully you find a place to store it for future use. If you decide not to get it you can always move on to the next one. You can always find a good deal in Craigslist.

 

That's not "life for me" and you're being extremely rude.
I'm telling you how it was for me living at home having to deal with someone else making up the rules. You can't disagree on how I experienced something. What are you gonna say? "No, it wasn't annoying for you!"

I don't even get why this is an issue. All I'm doing is trying to emphasize with OP.

 

I think we can all agree that 7 tanks is probably enough
I'm 18 and about to leave home for university, and I have 2 tanks. I'm taking the 5 gallon with me, but the 30 gallon will ultimately be left in the care of my parents. I'm not sure your parents like the idea of changing 8 tanks weekly whilst your away for months at a time, and that's understandable! It's hard when you're young and your future involves being away from home.
One day you will have a massive tank in your own house and you will be able to look after and pay for it yourself look forward to that day, but until then, enjoy the fishy friends you already have

 

That's not "life for me" and you're being extremely rude.

Don't take it personal. We all have our own opinions and I voiced mine out. That's life for you. Stay on topic. Peace.

 

I'm taking it personal cause you're telling me in not entitled to my own experiences. That is being personal. You can't tell me that my experience is not right, you can tell me that you've had a different experience.
This is not what life is and it has nothing to do with you just "voicing your own opinions", it has to do with you being very rude. No need to stay on topic, cause I won't be discussing this any further with you.