My Dad Is Cheap

personally, I support going for something big. I jumped from 10G to 55G after 3 months. That 55 kept me entertained for 8 years or so. It really wasn't that hard to upgrade to it either. A large tank isn't really any more difficult to maintain than a small tank, as long as you have the equipment. Something like a 55 is pretty easy to get a hold of for good price, you're still within a reasonable size for the equipment needed, and there's plenty of room.
 
Hey, at first I wanted to jump from a poorly kept 10 to a 125 with discus, clown loaches and an oscar. Let's just say I'm glad that didn't happen.
 
Wow...there's a lot of harsh words on here directed a a VERY young girl who probably didn't really realize the way her words came across to all of the adults who are ripping her a new one. Maybe we could all think back to when we were 14 and remember when we simply couldn't understand how our parents were so mean as to not provide something we wanted. It's a frustrating time we all go through, and at least for me, I'm happy I didn't have 30 grownups telling me what an ingreat I was.
:iagree:

And I wish you luck in finding a bigger tank one day. :) I have dreams of a 100gal (or bigger even!!!). And someday when I have a little spare $$ I'll start browsing craigslist and hope for this type of deal to come up. :)

Take care and hope people haven't scared you off the boards. This usually is a great forum. ;)
 
Don't feel bad, I did the same thing a few months ago (only much worse...lol) when my betta was sick and got flamed to death about keeping him in a bowl. Anyway, long story short, he died and I sort of blew up at everyone who was rude and left for a few weeks... as you can see I couldn't resist coming back. ;) I'm only a year younger than you and I totally understand where you're coming from on this issue. My parents have almost totally stopped paying for my fish stuff, and if I were you (or your dad) I wouldn't be very inclined to pay $100 for anything fish related. (LOL, I always get the same thing "It's your money." now THAT'S pressure!! haha) Now I do like the 50/50 idea, but 60/40 may end up being better since that's what your dad first wanted to pay (in the $30-$40 range). BTW, you should probably wait anyway until your 10g is running smoothly, so if you miss this (pretty great) deal there's always another one coming (especially with something like craigslist... you may even find a better one!). ;) I'm not sure if that was any help at all, but good luck with your fishkeeping endeavor. :)

Thank you very much!
 
:iagree:

And I wish you luck in finding a bigger tank one day. :) I have dreams of a 100gal (or bigger even!!!). And someday when I have a little spare $$ I'll start browsing craigslist and hope for this type of deal to come up. :)

Take care and hope people haven't scared you off the boards. This usually is a great forum. ;)

I was a little hurt a first, but I understand what everyone is saying.

And no, they haven't scared me off the boards. -laugh- They just encouraged me to try harder, and learn more.
 
Okay, I take back my earlier comment. I had no clue you were 14.

My suggestion is to save up birthday money and find a tank locally. It might be easier for your dad just to send you $40 (seems like that is the top end of his budget) and just keep searching. When people ask you want you want for your birthday, tell them money because you are saving up for a bigger fish tank

You will find a good deal locally.

P.S. Cheap doesn't always have to be negative. Sometimes cheap is good. (maybe he is saving up to buy himself a porshe).
 
Okay, I take back my earlier comment. I had no clue you were 14.

My suggestion is to save up birthday money and find a tank locally. It might be easier for your dad just to send you $40 (seems like that is the top end of his budget) and just keep searching. When people ask you want you want for your birthday, tell them money because you are saving up for a bigger fish tank

You will find a good deal locally.

P.S. Cheap doesn't always have to be negative. Sometimes cheap is good. (maybe he is saving up to buy himself a porshe).

Ah, no hard feelings. What I said was rather immature.

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. He's promised to buy me a tank no matter what, but I'm going to save any money I get for my aquariums. I need to get 3 HOBs as it is.

I still haven't checked my local shops. I have to do that this week.

True. Rather than saying cheap, I should probably say he's thrifty. He buys 75 to 80% of everything he owns used. Including cars. He has a hobby of buying wrecked cars and fixing them. He owns quite a few Toyota Prius.
 
Seriously Guys....
There are a couple things you guys are either being to unreasonable on, or are leaving out altogether.
1. Maintaining freshwater aquariums isn't difficult, but THE LARGER THE TANK THE EASIER IT IS TO MAINTAIN THE WATER QUALITY. I for one feel that the OP would have no problem taking care of i.
2. She's 14. And i dont know if you guys have noticed, but 10% of all americans are out of work. When those 10 percent, who are educated and experienced, are trying to get jobs in the same fast food restraunt as a teenager with basic knowledge, who do you think their going to give it to? And guess what, there are no paper routes anymore. Unless you live in a rural town, older people with cars are going to outcompete the youngsters with bikes simple as that. It is near to impossible for anyone in the range of 14-16 to find a real job, even if they leagally can. And if they can, after taxes the pay is minimal at best.
3. The dad is wrong. Obviously he does not know a good deal when he see's it. Although some of you argue it is due to the economical state, yet the father was willing a couple weeks ago to pay half for a tank. Unless he was just bluffing. Overall, we dont know the state of the financial standards of this family, so can no way judge. But what is known is that The dad has no knowledge about freshwater aquarums, or the going price. (ie coral in freshwater and a good $1 per gallon).
4. I'm really sick of people here using the "young" excuse, to where you guys think that just because we're young, we dont have the knowledge or the know how, to support an aquarium. And whenever someone our age posts a topic about parental restrictions, the first thing you guys do is jump on the kids about what parents have to go through without ever looking at it from the kids point of view. Guess what? Parents can be wrong, and as soon as you get that through your heads, the better we can help the op.
5. This board is about helping the people who have questions or concerns. But more and more i see people not helping, just nit picking about the OP, like in the sense where people Snoop around in peoples profile to see threads that the op posted, so they can shove it in their faces. GUESS WHAT! THIS THREAD IS ABOUT HELPING THE OP, NOT ATTACKING HER. JEEZ GUYS, AND YOU TELL US TO GROW UP, WHEN ITS YOURSELVES THAT NEED TO GROW UP AND MOVE ON. IF YOUR NOT GOING TO HELP THE OP, DONT WASTE OUR TIME BY POSTING HERE.
 
Ummm...

Anyways, I really think that the best option is towards what has been said recently. Get as much birthday money from relatives and friends as you can and look for a local deal. I suggest a tank within the 30-55 gallon range. You'll be able to keep a variety of fish while not having to spend a lot of time on maintenance and even more money on equipment.
 
I just think that a 55g would be a better transistion because a 100g ties up alot of money in filters and such, Lights too If she would want to make it planted.

All i can say is this. Learn a trade early as possible. It has helped me more than anything, some exapmles are Computer drafting, Welding(me), machining (me), starting your own small buisness is another thing, plus if you fail economicly early than it builds up such a fear of failure that you make better financial desicions later in life.
 
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