What should I do????

Juliam0260 · Mar 14, 2015

This may take some time, so bare with me. So I've been in the club at my school since 5th grade and I'm now in 7th grade. However, we had to use 10 gallon tanks to start with because of the cost and we took them down at the end of the year. But last summer I got to take some fish home with me. I just was doing what we did at school. I have now done some research and I've found out I'm doing it wrong. Now I knowi should have a bigger tank, and I've been looking around. Now comes the conflict. My parents won't pay for anything except the water we by at my local fish store. I don't know if I should keep my 10 gallon going (so I don't lose my expensive live rock), take it down (what do I do with my live rock), or maybe change to a freshwater (until I can care for a bigger tank with the right expensive equipment). I have an offer for a 40 gallon but my mom won't let me get it until my 5yr old guinea pig dies. P. S at school I'm now taking care of a 210 gallon fish tank and an octopus, so I could take on a larger tank (of course I have 2 friends helping me)

Thanks for any answers!!

mcarroll · Mar 14, 2015

If you've got one at school to enjoy and take care of already, maybe letting go of the home tank isn't a bad idea? Finding a buyer or volunteer to take it shouldn't be hard.

homefry319 · Mar 14, 2015

It also depends on whats currently in your 10 gal, you may not "need" a larger tank. Check out the nano forums.

Mike in CT · Mar 14, 2015

Maybe offer to your Mom to do some chores around the house (and do them well :) she will see how much you want it and are up to the responsibility. I know where she is coming from though as a parent...sometimes we are already taking on to much already and can't really do anymore. Also, make sure you take care of your other pets as much as you can..so mom has less to worry about.
Good luck!

Skynyrd Fish · Mar 14, 2015

I don't think you need expensive equipment. Live rock and water changes should work. You could get steam distilled water from the grocery store for top offs and water changes. Of course you would have to mix salt into it for the water changes. And I agree with homefry check out the nano forums.

Up2no6ood · Mar 14, 2015

Stick with the 10 gallon if thats your only option. There is nothing wrong with having a small tank! Tell us a little more about the setup. What do you have for filtration, lighting, and livestock?