I had goldfish from when I was 9 up until earlier this year, when I moved the 2 survivors of my ignorance into the pond. But what really inspired me to go into fishkeeping in a big way was buying a weather loach to replace a dead goldfish. I suddenly realised that there were other fish than goldfish. I started changing my tank water every week as I found out more about weather loaches. So about a year and a half ago I thought I'd go for a massive coldwater tank with weather loaches and other fish - tropical seemed too difficult. In the end I went for tropical though and got my 96l about this time last year. That was the beginning...I now have 3 tanks with fish (1 other with toads) and there must be room for more...
Inspired You?
- Thread starter Freshwater_J
- Start date
Like others i used to have a small goldfish tank in my room since i was 9.but after having that for 5 years with the dame goldies i asked for a tropical tank for my 14th which is my beloved 17g
(btw i know small tanks+goldfish=bad but i was young.)
(btw i know small tanks+goldfish=bad but i was young.)
:OT: not to attack the OP, but i think it's funny how many people got fishtanks after Finding nemo, when the whole story was about a fish not wanting to live in a fishtank 
We had tanks growing up as kids, the typical 10 gal with 1 neon 1 guppy 1 cory and a common pleco. Then after i moved out I saw my brothers 55 gal do horably with about 10 large ciclids. Decided to do some research, found AC and learned something from it
We had tanks growing up as kids, the typical 10 gal with 1 neon 1 guppy 1 cory and a common pleco. Then after i moved out I saw my brothers 55 gal do horably with about 10 large ciclids. Decided to do some research, found AC and learned something from it
My wife won a comet goldfish at the fair so we set him up in a nice 5 gallon tank. Did some research and quickly found out that he would outgrow the 5 very quickly and got him in a 55 and got a betta for the 5 gallon. I find nothing more relaxing after a tough day at work than coming home and watching the activity in the tanks. My son really enjoys them as well.
My sister worked at a pet store in the 70's ( I was born in 70), and had a couple of tanks in the living room - The old slate bottom, glass tanks, on wrought Iron stands and the tanks were chrome frames.... Was neat...
Anyway... I didn't get into the hobby until I was in my teens and one of my best friends had a tank. I went from a bowl to a 5.5 to a 10, and to a 30.
I left the hobby in my early 20's due to the mobile needs of a 20 something, and set up my old 30 again when I was 29 and ran it for a few years.
I just go back into the hobby several weeks ago, and started with a 16 bow, and this winter should realize my ages old dream of having a tank near 100 gallons.
Anyway... I didn't get into the hobby until I was in my teens and one of my best friends had a tank. I went from a bowl to a 5.5 to a 10, and to a 30.
I left the hobby in my early 20's due to the mobile needs of a 20 something, and set up my old 30 again when I was 29 and ran it for a few years.
I just go back into the hobby several weeks ago, and started with a 16 bow, and this winter should realize my ages old dream of having a tank near 100 gallons.
FireDancer7905
I'm in love!
My parents bought their first tank after watching "The Incredible Mr. Limpet" one night about 9 mo ths before I was born. I grew up around lion fish, sting rays and the goldfish feeders that eventually become my first pets. I had Spotty, a lovely goldfish, for about 10 years. Not long after that I began keeping a betta in a 1g setup. Compared to my parents MTS (a 70 discus tank, 55 saltwater, 35 tropical and 125 tropical) a 1g was't cutting it anymore. I got a 35g for my room and have had various tropical fishies ever since. Now that I am married my husband had nasty, "teeth" fishies (he has LOVED getting into the hobby) and I have a quite peaceful and lovely 10g all my own.
I grew up around lion fish, sting rays and the goldfish feeders that eventually become my first pets. I had Spotty, a lovely goldfish, for about 10 years. Not long after that I began keeping a betta in a 1g setup. Compared to my parents MTS (a 70 discus tank, 55 saltwater, 35 tropical and 125 tropical) a 1g was't cutting it anymore. I got a 35g for my room and have had various tropical fishies ever since. Now that I am married my husband had nasty, "teeth" fishies (he has LOVED getting into the hobby) and I have a quite peaceful and lovely 10g all my own. 
That's a GREAT story, Jadis. It touched me. But I totally understand how having fish tanks could help with that. They're very tranquil, and as you said, gives you a feeling of stability and control. Well done! You're living proof that aquaria can be very therapeutic.Jadis said:
Here's my story: my mom wanted fish tanks after we took a trip to Hawaii. She wanted to keep some of the coral reef fishes we had seen there. But, as usual, she only wanted to get it, but didn't want to do any work. She also did this to me with other pets, including a puppy when I was 8. So when I was 10, she got a 55 gal marine and a bunch of small freshwater tanks. I took over the tank maintenance when I was about 12. The best thing about the fish tanks was she didn't feel as threatened by my attachment to them, as she did with my dogs. But I guess I owe mom a bit of thanks, as those tanks got me started on my current career path in ichthyology and marine biology. 18 years later, my enthusiasm for aquatic life is now a full-blown lifestyle.
