Here's a question fer ya...

[twitchynose]

So I have to give a big "freshwater tank workshop" at work on saturday (I work at Petco, hate me if you want).
I thought it would be a good oppertunity to dispel the "1 inch per gallon" myth, and the "goldfish bowl" myth....
I was just wondering if anyone had any other good points for me to touch on when I do it. This was sprung on me at the last minute, but I want to make it good.
Ideas?

 

[rallysman]

Use something that people can relate to. Get a tape measure and compare a 10" fish to a 10g tank. If you can get your hands on a mounted fish (like a bass or something), use it as an example. While you're at it you might as well explain that fish don't "grow to the size of their tank". Technically they do, but they're tortured and die prematurely if that rule is followed lol...

Props on spreading the good word!

 

[dragonfish]

Regular water changes. The easiest way I've found to get people to understand once every six months is not good enough is this. Just imagine you had to live in your toilet bowl and it only gets flushed twice a year. That usually gets the idea across.

 

[rallysman]

. Just imagine you had to live in your toilet bowl and it only gets flushed twice a year. That usually gets the idea across.

PERFECT! That is the best choice of words I've ever heard to explain it.

 

[twitchynose]

Those are great suggestions.. keepem comin!

 

[guppy]

It will probably confuse people but the inch per gallon rule works pretty well if you remember that it is cubic inches (a10" oscar equals about 10" long x 3" high (averaged) x 1 1/2" thick, so a total of 45 cubic inches) for about 45 gallons for an adult.

 

[Dread]

Explain to people the actual sizes that some popular fish actually attain, and what's needed to house them properly! I'm getting sick of people buying Oscars because they're told they can live in a 20g tank and only get 5''. If you can, it would be great to show pictures of fully grown fish, such as Oscars, to show the size they attain, and explain the needed tank sizes.

Also, if possible try to explain the cruelty in painted/dyed fish.

 

[Onion01]

tell no one to buy pacus, and ban painted fish.