So when does Fishaholics Anonymous meet?

[Aquarius0015]

I can't believe it, I've done it again. I promised myself I wouldn't, but I went out and bought a new tank set-up with some of my X-mas money. I felt that my poor betta wasn't too happy in his 1 gallon home on my desktop. So I decided he needed a larger home. I was only going to upgrade to a glass 2 gallon, but lo and behold, I instead came home with a 5.5 gallon ($9.50) "desktop" (and I use that term loosely) aquarium.

Soon, I realized I "needed" (again, used loosely) some new accessories. I needed a small 7.5 heater ($7), but not too strong because the dorm is fairly warm. Of course I needed a thermometer ($1) to monitor the cheap heater. And a sponge filter ($4.50) because a power filter would be a little too turbulent I think, and I absolutely hate UGF. Apparently the sponge filter comes with plastic tubing. This simply is unacceptable, so I pick up 8 ft. of silicone tubing ($2). I thought a gang valve ($4) would be good to reduce the surface disturbance at feeding time. Oh, and I need some sort of substrate, so I got some polished river stones($4), but not enough to cover the entire bottom (I call it minimalism). A silk plant ($2.50) was on sale, so I had to get that. I picked up a floating plastic breeding trap ($3.50) in case one of my platies ever decides to get pregnant. A quick trip to the live plant display (I swear I only meant to browse) revealed java moss ($5 for a decent clump) which I had been looking all over for. But the plants were next to the invert tank and I always pick up a few ghost shrimp when I see them ($1).

Unfortunately, the manager of the LFS said he was all out of glass lids for the 5.5 gallon size and I did not want to go with a screen cover. So he suggested I get a piece of glass cut at Lowe's. He did me the favor of measuring the opening to find the appropriate size, so off to Lowe's I go. At the store, the employees tell me they can cut the lid out of a piece of scrap (much less costly), and I choose a plastic top ($4) instead of glass.

So I rush home, set everything up and introduce my betta to his new home. So how does he show his appreciation? By never leaving his new best friend, the sponge filter. Aaargh! He hasn't even ventured out to explore the rest of the tank. And now my roommate is *convinced* I have a serious problem.

[dethjam316]

yea, my dad had tanks when i was growing up...when i finally had enough space in my apartment a couple years ago, i set up one of his old 10g with a couple fish. a few months go by, my roommate buys a 55g. not enough. i buy a 20g. he buys another 20g. i moved down to florida and bought a 55g down here, along with another 20g, that i *needed* hehe. things were okay for a month, then i *needed* a 10g for my crayfish so i could use the 20g for other fish. then i wanted to try SW, so i bought another tank. then i realized i wanted more fish, but the 55g was overstocked, and gouramis had babies in the 20g...so i *needed* ONE MORE tank...bought a 40g breeder. i'm out of control. and money.

[Must4ng s4lly]

TRUST ME! This whole fish thing is soooo addicting! I want tanks all over the house but my hubby would freak! I need one more just alleviate the population have in my largest tank. All my fish are breeding like crazy! I guess i am feeding them too well.... I need a new tank!!!! Maybe one day!

Good luck with yours :)

[Rhys]

i have a 10, 20, 35, 125G tanks and i want a 55 to set up a marine tank.

[SayersWeb]

So this new 5.5 gallon is in addition to the new Eclipse tank you got for Christmas???? :)

Over the past few months my tank collection has grrown from a single 180 gallon to:

180
120
60
55 (x2)
20
10 (x4)

[Aquarius0015]

Sayersweb, yes, this would be in addition to the 12 gallon christmas gift. Luckily I did not bring my 2.5 gallon minibow back to school with me, or that would probably house a fish, too.

I left the minibow with my sister because she didn't want to be the only family member without a tank. I left her in charge of a Pineapple swordtail that developed Ich. Whenever that clears up, it will go into the family 20 gallon and she will pick out her own fish.

What scares me is that I now have an empty 1 gallon, and I'm thinking how nice it would be to have another male betta. Somebody stop me!

[SayersWeb]

Yes, another male Beta would be nice! Especially if they can see each other!!

Are you expecting snow tonight like we are? I'm ready for spring!! :)

[Aquarius0015]

Oh crud. It seems that my mini-heater isn't working properly. When I touched it, it barely felt warm. Oh well, guess I'll have to return it and get a 25 watt as I got the last 7.5 watt that the store had. And on the way, another LFS got a shipment of bettas in today.... Hmmm, I could always use another female betta in my community tank....

I also heard that the LFS I got my tank from had a few paradise fish. A while ago someone posted pics of them, and I've been in love since, but I purposely did not tempt myself by looking at them. Again, how big do they get and what is the best tank size? My 12 gallon currently has 4 platies and a female betta.

Sayersweb-- don't encourage me!

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

Started out with a 20 gal i've had for years..... then i decided that my little 2.5 gal tank should be put to use so i set it up with a betta (Already had 2 others). Then i wanted some malawis so i bought a 33 gal setup and started that up. Now i *need* a 10 gal for my kribs.

And mind you, all these are in my bedroom. Parents will not have a fish tank anywhere else! :mad:

Ever since i joined this board i have been becoming more and more obsessed... i think i found the culprit. :eek:

Now you guys are making me want to start up a SA cichlid tank but i just dont have anymore room!
Wait... who needs a bed anyways?

[Grassguy]

Originally posted by ~*LuvMyKribs*~
Now you guys are making me want to start up a SA cichlid tank but i just dont have anymore room!
Wait... who needs a bed anyways?

Get a waterbed and put them in the bed, then you can sleep with your fishies:joke: :laugh:

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

Hehehehe!:dance

:eek:
Thats when you know its gone too far.

[LMOUTHBASS]

it's a hopeless addiction and it drains your cash flow too! as soon as you get the bigger tank you want an even bigger one i went from a 20g to my dream of a 55g - now i want a 120g hahaha
i can't stop wasting money on my tank it's getting rediculous - soon i'm just gonna leave everything alone and let it just run itself so i can enjoy it!

[SayersWeb]

Originally posted by LMOUTHBASS
it's a hopeless addiction and it drains your cash flow too! as soon as you get the bigger tank you want an even bigger one i went from a 20g to my dream of a 55g - now i want a 120g hahaha
i can't stop wasting money on my tank it's getting rediculous - soon i'm just gonna leave everything alone and let it just run itself so i can enjoy it! Weren't you considering sterilizers as well???? LOL! :p

[delmore]

Originally posted by Aquarius0015
I also heard that the LFS I got my tank from had a few paradise fish.Sayersweb-- don't encourage me!

Paradise fish are inexpensive because they are very easy to breed. They don't need a heater, and are tough as nails. From what i've read they can cause problems in a community tank due to aggression, the paradise fish being the agressors. I don't know from first hand experience, and will not find out that way.

[fishdude]

:( i have only one 29 gal tank. My mom wont let me have more than one downstairs and my bedroom is upstairs (too much weight for a townhouse second story floor) but i have more than enough room, my bed folds up into a couch :P

[Dangerdoll]

wait'll everyone see's my birthday list this year, heehee....after of course guilting them big time for my Christmas wish bust! (I received very nice things, all except for one thing ;) )

[ticklemepunk473]

Ah yes the birthday hit up. I am quite familiar. I must admit that my family will be going to the LFS to get me my birthday presents also. :)

[Aquarius0015]

I got a beautiful white male betta (I was going to get a female, but they were all really ugly) and some guppies (for my community tank). Plus the heater I originally set out to buy. I told the LFS employees not to sell me anything live for at least 1 month.

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

I've resorted to not taking anything with me to the pet store. Only keys and a drivers license. Yeah, I got to browse and feed my addiction, but safely, without cash or a credit card at hand.

:D

[Must4ng s4lly]

Aquarius,
I have a male and female betta in the same 10 gal.... Sometimes the females look ugly at the lfs, but once they get proper nutrition they color up very nicely! My female went from a very blanched off white to a deep red with blue edges on her fins...

[NatakuTseng]

Between Puma and I we have a 40breeder, 30breeder, 38 gallon, 20gallon, 10gal, the 75gal and a 4.5 gal (homemade). Now when we got the 75 we had oscars, and our parents said that was it for tanks...everything listed above the 75 is essentially new...So much for no more tanks huh? lol, whats worse, Is now I want to upgrade the 10gal to a 20high, get a 55gal, and set up the 3 10gals in storage as well as the 10 up now for other uses, probably two for Q tanks, and the other two as brine shirmp factories. I can only imagine what the basment will look like when I get my own place.......*day dreams*

[Aquarius0015]

I love college and all, but it is really restricting me as a fish person. It'll be better next year if I get the RA gig and get a room to myself. It's bad when I start looking at furniture in terms of "If I got rid of this, would I be able to keep another (fill in the blank)? Does my roommate *really* need a TV? Or a bed?" Luckily, moving the tanks isn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be! It's actually fun, because I get to rearrange things!

[MelJr]

I got a 10 gallon for my birthday back in June. Since then I have added another 10 gallon and 3 29 gallon aquariums. Lucky for me the lfs is 50 miles away so I don't do much spur of the moment type shopping ;) . I agree with Mustang on the female betas, they do get much prettier once they are settled in.