I just got a 260 Gallon Custom Built Acrylic Aquarium , thus fulfilling one of my lifelong desires. (My wife thought I was crazy when I explained to her that to a serious aquarist, a 90G is just a medium sized tank.)
In Honor of this occasion I thought I would offer some hard learned tips on how to get your woman to go for it.
First let me say that I know there are plenty of female fishkeepers out there and I respect them all, but the keepers of large, scary, monster fish are 95% male.
So if you are a female , and your man wont let you get a big tank , dump him immediately- he's a wuss and you deserve better.
So onto the tips for the guys:
1. Start bringing up the discussion long before you actually get the tank. That way when you and 3 buddies carry an enormous fishbox into the house it will not be such a shock- it fact she will hopefully resign herself to the idea that it was inevitable.
2. Set up a nice fishtank with pretty fish that she can enjoy . I have a planted Angel / Cardinal tank . This should be the tank you put in the living room/ bedroom/ essentially in her territory. For some reason women don't want a giant tank with big monster fish that shred cute feeders in their living room. Your awesome tank must be put in the basement, spare room, recroom whatever. Remember your ultimate goal is to get that big tank in the house.
3. Try not to move any of her stuff. If you tell her that she has to move her computer desk, workout equipment, sewing corner, your odds go down fast. Also don't make her help you move or rearrange anything! Your trying to tread lightly at this point.
4. If you are living on a regular budget, don't just spend a ton of money out of the checking account. Save for the tank while your researching all the incredible creatures you plan to put in it. Get a PT job at your LFS, that way you'll get hobby cash, and a discount on all the stuff you have to buy. Nothing will anger your wife faster than bouncing a check , or being late on bills because of your hobby.
5. Remind her that your hobby is legal, moral, and keeps you at home ( at least when your not at the LFS spending money). You could be at the bar/ casino/ stripjoint/ or out hunting or fishing for days at a time.
Once you got your big Tank, your not done yet:
1. Make sure your tank and filtration doesn't sound like niagara falls. If she can't hear the TV or go to sleep you're in trouble.
2. For God's sake don't spill large amounts of water on the floor/ carpet!! OH MAN does this piss them off.
3. Remember to tell them how much you appreciate them putting up with your fishkeeping obsession , how much you love them, and try to be nice and
do whatever you can to make them happy.
If this helps even one guy to fulfill his big-tank dream then all this "hunt and peck" typing was worth it !
I'm interseted in hearing any tips from anyone else, or your experiences with the non-fishkeeping spouse.
Thanks for reading!!!
In Honor of this occasion I thought I would offer some hard learned tips on how to get your woman to go for it.
First let me say that I know there are plenty of female fishkeepers out there and I respect them all, but the keepers of large, scary, monster fish are 95% male.
So if you are a female , and your man wont let you get a big tank , dump him immediately- he's a wuss and you deserve better.
So onto the tips for the guys:
1. Start bringing up the discussion long before you actually get the tank. That way when you and 3 buddies carry an enormous fishbox into the house it will not be such a shock- it fact she will hopefully resign herself to the idea that it was inevitable.
2. Set up a nice fishtank with pretty fish that she can enjoy . I have a planted Angel / Cardinal tank . This should be the tank you put in the living room/ bedroom/ essentially in her territory. For some reason women don't want a giant tank with big monster fish that shred cute feeders in their living room. Your awesome tank must be put in the basement, spare room, recroom whatever. Remember your ultimate goal is to get that big tank in the house.
3. Try not to move any of her stuff. If you tell her that she has to move her computer desk, workout equipment, sewing corner, your odds go down fast. Also don't make her help you move or rearrange anything! Your trying to tread lightly at this point.
4. If you are living on a regular budget, don't just spend a ton of money out of the checking account. Save for the tank while your researching all the incredible creatures you plan to put in it. Get a PT job at your LFS, that way you'll get hobby cash, and a discount on all the stuff you have to buy. Nothing will anger your wife faster than bouncing a check , or being late on bills because of your hobby.
5. Remind her that your hobby is legal, moral, and keeps you at home ( at least when your not at the LFS spending money). You could be at the bar/ casino/ stripjoint/ or out hunting or fishing for days at a time.
Once you got your big Tank, your not done yet:
1. Make sure your tank and filtration doesn't sound like niagara falls. If she can't hear the TV or go to sleep you're in trouble.
2. For God's sake don't spill large amounts of water on the floor/ carpet!! OH MAN does this piss them off.
3. Remember to tell them how much you appreciate them putting up with your fishkeeping obsession , how much you love them, and try to be nice and
do whatever you can to make them happy.
If this helps even one guy to fulfill his big-tank dream then all this "hunt and peck" typing was worth it !
I'm interseted in hearing any tips from anyone else, or your experiences with the non-fishkeeping spouse.
Thanks for reading!!!
