Precisely why our big boys are for sale.. when it cuts into my kids lives and our lives you have to sit down and really decide if the sacrifice for your pets are worth it or if its time they find a new home. I try very hard not to judge others decisions because I know how hard it is to make them sometimes. lol when I joined this site I was single and employed.. since then I've gotten married and had 2 children and become a stay at home mom.... threw the whole time trying to find that balance of keeping our pets and keeping our roof ect. Personally I would rather share this and have a few people ( idiots as far as I'm concerned) bash me for selling my pets and putting my kids and husband before them because "they are just pets" But many people do not understand or take into account not just the physical ramifications of keeping large set-ups but the financial and family impacts they also can make.
The "it's only temporary" statement
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Precisely why our big boys are for sale.. when it cuts into my kids lives and our lives you have to sit down and really decide if the sacrifice for your pets are worth it or if its time they find a new home. I try very hard not to judge others decisions because I know how hard it is to make them sometimes. lol when I joined this site I was single and employed.. since then I've gotten married and had 2 children and become a stay at home mom.... threw the whole time trying to find that balance of keeping our pets and keeping our roof ect. Personally I would rather share this and have a few people ( idiots as far as I'm concerned) bash me for selling my pets and putting my kids and husband before them because "they are just pets" But many people do not understand or take into account not just the physical ramifications of keeping large set-ups but the financial and family impacts they also can make.
I agree, but.....
I also look at my other buddies hobbies in comparison and I spend a lot less than most. And my hobby mostly keeps me at home with my family..... I currently run 10 tanks ranging from 40b to the 300. Water and electricity for the tanks costs money, but breeding has helped offset the food, water and power to a pretty large degree. All in I probably have 15-20K in actual equipment costs, but Im also 45 and have been doing this since I was 8. So I see 20K spread over 37 years of fish keeping.......I did not buy all this equipment at once. I also don't impulse buy. Everything I've kept or built has had many hours of planning and consulting the family before Ive decided to take it on.
Ive also learned how to plumb sumps, drip system's and drains, build my own stands and cut the expense part of the equation down as much as possible. All because I love fish keeping and always have. Im not the type to fly to Vegas on a whim and gamble nor do I have a garage full of car parts and a 1969 money pit. Not saying it's wrong to, just saying my hobby of choice is something my family also enjoys and keeps me close to home, which is nice considering I spend most of my "day job" on the road.
But, It is still a hobby and if push comes to shove, I'd part with it in a minute to keep the power on and food on the table. Priorities always first......hobbies second.
I think what a lot of you all see and experience is typical of a lot of hobbies and in particular pets. The way I see it is that patience and restraint can go a long ways to ensuring happiness both for yourself and in this case the fish. While this thread is about having the proper size, let's not overlook what it takes to maintain a quality setup. Like any hobby it requires dedication in both time and money. Some people may get burned out with smaller tanks before they even get to the cost of getting a larger setup and just give up. I think what a lot of people need to do is figure out how much time and money they can put in along with space needed first then look at what options are available in this case the right fish. Not everybody can own an alligator gar or a Goliath African tiger fish that they saw on River Monsters as that's the reality for most people but there is always that one fish for you and it's a matter of doing good research into what you will be happy with. Bottom line is think before you leap and reap the better reward.
Anyone who criticizes you for choosing to prioritize your family over fish is nuts. You are absolutely making the right decision.
This is the reason I think in most cases the "it's only temporary statement" is silly. Anyone who has run a large setup knows that it's a completely different ball game in regards to time, effort, money etc. (et cetera = etc.). But for those who haven't run a large tank it's easy for them to say they will "just upgrade" when the times comes, as if it would be as easy as setting up a 10 gallon tank. It's not.
Seems like most havent even discussed the potential upgrade with their parents yet, let alone have thought or drawn it out....
Most hobbies are a rush when 1st getting into them, going big always seems better.
A growout is a growout and it may seem cruel to keep a gatf in a 40b but when its 3-4" its not. As long as that tank is upgraded at the right time "sooner then later," i see no prob, but amongst many hobbies man comes across he often times finds something more in style or ego driven and swaps hobbies thus his once prized gatf are now sad stunted pets..... Those are they type of people that bug me
Either follow thru or rehome. And family definitely trumps most all hobbies.
×Go S. Vettel #1 Infiniti Redbull! 4x WDC!!! Congrats on another flawless title and 9 wins back to back in 1 season (record!) See you next year in Australia boys!×
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Cheap way to decrease nitrates and keep your fish healthy: http://monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=504763 [/QUOTE]
Most hobbies are a rush when 1st getting into them, going big always seems better.
A growout is a growout and it may seem cruel to keep a gatf in a 40b but when its 3-4" its not. As long as that tank is upgraded at the right time "sooner then later," i see no prob, but amongst many hobbies man comes across he often times finds something more in style or ego driven and swaps hobbies thus his once prized gatf are now sad stunted pets..... Those are they type of people that bug me
Either follow thru or rehome. And family definitely trumps most all hobbies.
×Go S. Vettel #1 Infiniti Redbull! 4x WDC!!! Congrats on another flawless title and 9 wins back to back in 1 season (record!) See you next year in Australia boys!×
__________________________________________________________________
Cheap way to decrease nitrates and keep your fish healthy: http://monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=504763 [/QUOTE]
One day I am going to have me a 300 gallon aquarium... But for that to happen I am going to have to do an addition on my house. Right now I am currently happy with my 120 tall. As my kids are all young I want to take this time in their life's to make memories with them. You cant take back this time of their lives. will have a lot of years ahead of me to be able to focus on my big tanks.
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I'll admit that I'm guilty of this as well. I have managed to follow through though, after a fashion.
The problem I've run into is that while I've managed to acquire a 510 and a 365 and appropriate filtration as upgrades, I don't have anywhere to put them for the time being. Right now, I'm stuck with a 56 column tank. This is the primary reason that I sold Mad Max; the 150 he was in was far too small, putting a 13" torpedo in a 30" tank would be downright cruel.
While I have the tank for him (the 510), I can't put him in it yet.
I am also faced with the fact that after building my 510, it is quite apparent that anything bigger will be horrendously difficult and expensive. With a GATF, a 510 is only a growout that will last a few years, especially with scaping and tankmates. My next ATF will be a brevis; which is IMO probably the most badass species pound for pound. Plus, like VATF and TATF, it can likely live for life in my 510 (though I don't doubt that it would appreciate more space).
The problem I've run into is that while I've managed to acquire a 510 and a 365 and appropriate filtration as upgrades, I don't have anywhere to put them for the time being. Right now, I'm stuck with a 56 column tank. This is the primary reason that I sold Mad Max; the 150 he was in was far too small, putting a 13" torpedo in a 30" tank would be downright cruel.
While I have the tank for him (the 510), I can't put him in it yet.
I am also faced with the fact that after building my 510, it is quite apparent that anything bigger will be horrendously difficult and expensive. With a GATF, a 510 is only a growout that will last a few years, especially with scaping and tankmates. My next ATF will be a brevis; which is IMO probably the most badass species pound for pound. Plus, like VATF and TATF, it can likely live for life in my 510 (though I don't doubt that it would appreciate more space).
Well I am officially not "one of those" people. I just bought an upgrade tank. Going from 75 gallon to 240 gallon for my stingrays. I am sure they will love it.
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I have two Oscars in a 10 gallon and an Arow in a 55 which I will soon put in my 220. Although I will eventually need to get a pond for my Catfish and Arowana it should last a year or two and is better than the 125's or 55's I commonly see huge fish in.
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I agree if a hobby is coming between you and your family, family takes precedent over pets!
I'm currently in this boat of "only temporary" but I'm serious about my upgrade. I currently have ID Sharks in a 75 set up and looking for a 150 setup. We're actively in the midst of this process. We have plans to then go from a 150 to a 300. With in reason tactics I believe I can manage this however if anything goes wrong in our current situation it could put a big damper in achieving a 300. I definitely have my goals set with a plan to get there but you just never know when something of importance could pop up.
-Amber
I'm currently in this boat of "only temporary" but I'm serious about my upgrade. I currently have ID Sharks in a 75 set up and looking for a 150 setup. We're actively in the midst of this process. We have plans to then go from a 150 to a 300. With in reason tactics I believe I can manage this however if anything goes wrong in our current situation it could put a big damper in achieving a 300. I definitely have my goals set with a plan to get there but you just never know when something of importance could pop up.
-Amber
