Any Suggestions??

[_Sushi_]

My fiance's sister and her 3 kids (and the kids' dad) have an Angelfish. A regular old $2 at Meijer Angelfish. This poor fish is in a 5 gallon, and I'm guessing he's at LEAST 7 inches from top to bottom, and doesn't look like he has much room to move around. There's no way that I'm going to be able to convince them that they should set up a 55 gallon tank. so I figured I'd offer a 29 gallon (not what he needs, but much better than what he has!!) AND stand (that I'm building) AND hood AND a filter (if I can find one) PLUS decor!! So pretty much a whole dang setup.

My question is, how do I give it to the kids and make SURE that they know it's for their fish, and NOT look like a complete ass while doing so? I would LOVE to get them some more angel fish to keep their one company, but have no way of contacting their mom to make sure it's alright with her.

Should I give it to the whole family? And say that it creates a sense of calm or something similar?

I know for a fact that as far as the tank and the hood go, I'm going to tell her (and everyone else) that they were just laying around, empty. The stand, I have the frame for, but I'm going to be wrapping it in some Oak panels to make it more appealing.

 

[bigspizz]

Free tank will not be hard to give away! just show and automatically start "helping" them set it up. Bring some established bio media with you and go for it...

 

[KaraJo]

if someone gave me a free tank, I wouldnt see it as an insult at all. Can't they see that poor fish is cramped? Just give it to them as a gift and tell them it's for their fish to live in so that he has more room to swiim around in. I would just give it to the kids, I'm sure they would love it. Maybe even talk to Brian's sister about it first and explain that the fish should have more room to swim around so that he can live a longer happy life. That is such a nice thing you would be doing for them, that I would hope they would accept it with open arms. A 29 still seems small for a fish that size, but it is def. better than a 5!

 

[_Sushi_]

I know it's nowhere near enough space, and that's what really frustrates me. But, I really think the 29 is the biggest I can get away with, besides, that's exactly the same size as the stand (it was a match made in heaven!!) I'm covering the sides, and putting a door on the front. So my ugly old stand could be a beautiful little cabinet to store their fish tank items in.

I think I am going to give it to the kids I think.....and the gravel I'm thinking dark blue or something, and the stand I'm not going to paint, just in case she doesn't like the color that I pick. Or, it clashes with the decor! >.< That'll really win her over!!

What if I pull one of the filter cartridges from my established tanks? I have 1 filter that has 2 cartridges, so I could pull it from that one. That particular filter has been running for 2 months or so. That TANK, over 2 years. Maybe I could soak the gravel in some of my fish tank water on the way there?? Would that give it a jump start? If not, I have Jelly in quarentine (he beats the tar out of his tankmates), and he could cycle the gravel for us.

 

[Wolf3101]

The 29 should be fine as long as they don't decide it looks empty and fill it with baby ocsars and such. Where is the 5 gallon located? they may not want a bigger tank cluttering up the house (some warped people think of fish tanks that way.)

I also don't see any to avoid asking them before bringing it over. You could always call them up and tell them you got this 29 gallon included with a tank deal...don't have any place for it and remembered they had a fish...Use something simple for filtration like a good reliable HOB unit with established media...something they won't have to buy cartrages for like an Aqua clear 70 or 110. That way they wont have a lot of excuses.

I belive that if they accept and see the differance in thier angelfish they will thank you and get a lot more enjoyment out of the hobby. You might even add a second angelfish of a differant variaty and say it came with the tank.

They will still have to deal with water changes...or not and thats something else you have to think about. The easier you can make it on them the better.

You have great intentions but unfortunatly it's impossible to MAKE anyone keep fish responsably.

 

[ShadowBass]

A 29g should be fine. I just moved my angelfish from a 29g to my 75 and he doesn't even use but 1/4 of the tank. It's kind of a waste of space actually. He mostly just sits there and stares at things. Then again, like most captivebred angels I've noticed, he's not very smart.

 

[Wolf3101]

Our Angelfish must be an exception to the rule then...I was actully quite surprised how much personality they have.

 

[ShadowBass]

Mine has personality too, he's just not real bright, lol. He's funny to watch.

 

[Mr_Sea_Turkle]

The 29 should be fine as long as they don't decide it looks empty and fill it with baby ocsars and such. Where is the 5 gallon located? they may not want a bigger tank cluttering up the house (some warped people think of fish tanks that way.)

You have great intentions but unfortunatly it's impossible to MAKE anyone keep fish responsably.

my mom talked to my sister and unfortunately this is the kind of fish owner that she is.

we've decided to try giving the setup to my niece hailey. in doing so it will make one of her kids jealous enough to beg their mother for a bigger tank for their fish.

wish us luck!

 

[Wolf3101]

We have one that seems to have something going on behind the eyes but others are a bit on the dim side....lol

Seriously...when we had the baby pbass in that tank growing out the big angel used to grab a cube of frozen blood worms and make sure all of the baby bass got fed before allowing the other angels to get at it...