Your thoughts on the causes of Multiple Tank Syndrome (MTS)

I think we constantly try to find ways to fit more fish (either by trading fish or adding new tanks) because as we come to appreciate fish more and more, we realize that they're all different. That uniqueness means that we can't just stick with the fish we already have, because they don't have this behavior, color, etc. that the other fish do, so we have to make room for the new kind!
 
oh...

This was supposed to be a serious thread.

<sigh>

Mark
 
petluvr said:
I am sure you care for your fish no doubt there. My question is what causes fish keepers to want to continually increase the amount of tanks they have to the point that some people have 50 or more tanks? I personally have ten, not to mention the reptile and rodent tanks, and wonder on a daily basis how to rearrange furnishings to accommodate more tanks.
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I think for me it's the wide variety available that require different living conditions to be kept properly. You see a set up someone else has and are like wow, I want to do something like that. Then you get into growing out fry, etc. My tanks right now are all very different from each other. I'm betting when I finally have a house instead of an apt, I'll have a fish room with many tanks.

Also, I think there is a sense of accomplishment when you have nice tanks and healthy fish. There is also the challenge of doing something different, growing new plants, spawning new species, etc.

Would be interesting to see if those who don't frequent fish forums have MTS like many of us who post on forums do...you may be getting a skewed sample only looking at people on forums because we are into the hobby enough to post about it and share ideas and knowledge.
 
For me, it's the multitude of fish available to the hobby. Most of the time, if you wanna keep a new species properly, it generally involves setting up a new tank. I'm holding steady at 12 tanks for the moment, but a couple are due for makeovers, which are a great way to scratch the mts itch without picking up yet another tank.


Heh. Yeah, what Lab_Rat said.
 
lol. Well - for me anyways, its the multiple directions the hobby can go in. For example:

I have a 125g with clown loaches in it (among a few other species). I want to get a 240L for just the clowns and make a river tank - or like a 430g-500g if I can find one... :naughty:

Also in the 125g is a BN - which I have had for about 2 years. I would like to take the 55g that is dry and get him a mate and try to breed them...

I also just started taking another stab at planted tanks, my 30g low-tech is looking pretty good - my 75g highlight w/ CO2 - not so much -- but its a work in progress. But, I think that I would like to take some of those RCS I have in the 30g and setup the 10g for a breeding tank for them... yummy clown loach food :)

I also have a drilled 180g (dry) - if I could convince the hubby to just let me set it up already... Then there is the 120g drilled that I just haven't decided what it is going to be yet... I also want to get another 55g and make a medium light planted out of that (if I EVER make it back on the planted horse again)....

So, re-reading all that now - I guess for me one thing just leads into another, and another.... :Angel:
 
Lab_Rat said:
I think for me it's the wide variety available that require different living conditions to be kept properly. You see a set up someone else has and are like wow, I want to do something like that. Then you get into growing out fry, etc. My tanks right now are all very different from each other. I'm betting when I finally have a house instead of an apt, I'll have a fish room with many tanks.

Also, I think there is a sense of accomplishment when you have nice tanks and healthy fish. There is also the challenge of doing something different, growing new plants, spawning new species, etc.

Would be interesting to see if those who don't frequent fish forums have MTS like many of us who post on forums do...you may be getting a skewed sample only looking at people on forums because we are into the hobby enough to post about it and share ideas and knowledge.
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Now that I think more about it, this /\ is what causes my mts. But I also think the cause is probably different for different people too.
 
My interest in fish. I have always been fascinated by them even as a kid. I enjoy watching them, catching, eating, raising, learning, etc. Now they have become a very therapeutic tool in my recovery. Some fish are long lived and I need ones to keep me interested through their years. Being disabled and housebound leaves much to be desired about distractions. However, my natural appreciation for all things fish helps.

If I were still able to work, I would limit my tanks severely. Having nothing to do with impulse, self-control or other emotional or maturity issues, it is simply a means of assistance in recovery.
 
For me I'm hunting for some sort of self worth. I get more fish because I rescue them. Every one of my fish has come from an improper home. It makes me feel like I accomplish something in life, that I have a purpose and a drive.
 
For me, I like seeing different fish around and try various ways to keep them..mini-scientist I guess. I definitely agree with Lab Rat on I don't consider them as pets, even with a few favorites.
 
Why do I have MTS??

I guess for me, is has psychological benefits such as a sense of accomplishment, and it's a tranquil and peaceful hobby, which calms me. I have anxiety disorder and panic disorder, and have learned that even with medication and cognitive behavior therapy, there is no such thing as too much tranquility. Like exercising, it clears my mind. It is a source of pride. I love my fish like I love my fuzzy animals. I see their personalities, I bond with them. My fish come play with my hands when I am in the tank. My snails run as fast as they can to rasp me and climb on me. (No, I am not joking-check out my thread, OMG MY BRIGGS LAID A CLUTCH!!!) It is fun, it is a hobby that you can do a lot with and the tanks look beautiful. I also grow plants, and plan on selling them, and selling briggs as well. Maybe breeding cories, and other fish that I love. Not to make a huge profit or anything, but to make some money and share this hobby with other people. I enjoy the AC community, and I enjoy learning more every day about fish and fish-keeping. I like the fact that even a fish as small and common as a guppy has a personality. I like that I can provide them with a natural planted tank where they feel safe. I like the different colorations of all my fish. I like teaching people and helping people learn more about this hobby.

I have multiple tanks because I have multiple types of fish, just like I have three different breeds of dog and 3 different breeds of rats. I have cages for each of my rats, I have a house with a small yard/patio for my dogs, and I have tanks for all my fish. I would not let my rats out in my house because I have a Jack Russell, a Cairn and multiple cats. I keep the rats separate because I don't want them killed. Same thing with my fish. My guppies don't go in with my Pike or OB Peacocks. My snails won't go in with clown loaches. My plants won't go in with goldfish. MTS is very common because when we choose to learn more, we tend to want different types of fish. If I have the room for another tank, and a specific purpose for it, I get it because that's what the hobby is about. I am a die-hard fish keeper with multiple tanks, I don't have a problem as the term MTS implies :D!!!

Have a great day!

Maribeth
 
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