Tank Dilemma!

[fishmad135]

So! A friend has offered me a 350 litre tank for £40.. Now if it was up to me I'd get it for sure, however my mum doesn't want any big tanks.. :O So would you be annoyed if you went to pick up your kid from uni and she had a 350litre tank?? 
How would you approach asking family/parents for a new tank?
Help me - what should I do??

 

[Ch4rlie]

Heh, a 350 litre tank for £40 is a bargain. But won't be a bargain if its at the cost of falling out with family members.
 
I'd nicely ask if its ok and show how much these 350 litre tanks normally cost and perhaps you could compromise somehow.
 
A discussion about pros and cons, not an argument, if they say no, then got to accept it and you could get a big tank like this in future when you have your own place.
 
Do bear in mind a 350 litre tank is a lot of work compared to the usual 100 - 200 litre tanks, personally I have nothing larger than a 100 litre along with a 80 litre and a 20 litre, thats enough for me (for now anyway ).
 
I used to have a Trigon 350, beautiful tank but lots of work and pretty big waterchanges, i found it difficult to reach the bottom of the tank due to the depth of the glass, so had to use stepladder to reach in with a lengthened algae scraper to clean the glass properly.

 

[Munroco]

Show her how beautiful similar size tanks can look. Point out how peaceful and relaxing large tanks can be and that £40 is an absolute steal.
 
If all else fails tell them it will help with your course work and that all your friends have one.

 

[Fishmanic]

And
if u go back to university next year, who is going to care for the tank?...also consider other expenses such as a large heater, lights, and air pump that use electricity..also water changes will add to the household water bill.
.then the expense of lots of fish, substrate, decorations, driftwood etc, ....

 

[Akasha72]

in the days before fish tanks my electric bill was around £50-£60 per quarter. Now with a 240 litre tank running and a 30 litre too my electric bill is now between £100 and £120 per quarter.... If you are paying the extra that is costs on the parents electric bill then yeah, ask and see what happens but if the parents are picking up the tab then I can see why they are saying no to big tanks
 
The bigger the tank the more it costs to run

 

[fishmad135]

Heh, a 350 litre tank for £40 is a bargain. But won't be a bargain if its at the cost of falling out with family members.
 
I'd nicely ask if its ok and show how much these 350 litre tanks normally cost and perhaps you could compromise somehow.
 
A discussion about pros and cons, not an argument, if they say no, then got to accept it and you could get a big tank like this in future when you have your own place.
 
Do bear in mind a 350 litre tank is a lot of work compared to the usual 100 - 200 litre tanks, personally I have nothing larger than a 100 litre along with a 80 litre and a 20 litre, thats enough for me (for now anyway

).
 
I used to have a Trigon 350, beautiful tank but lots of work and pretty big waterchanges, i found it difficult to reach the bottom of the tank due to the depth of the glass, so had to use stepladder to reach in with a lengthened algae scraper to clean the glass properly.

Thanks for your input Ch4lie! And yes, it is a steal! It comes with pumps, heaters, driftwood and sand too, the only thing it doesn't have is a hood but I could build one and I have lots of spare lights lying around!
 
Tank upkeep would be an issue its two foot in height, so it might not be easy! 
 
 

Show her how beautiful similar size tanks can look. Point out how peaceful and relaxing large tanks can be and that £40 is an absolute steal.
 
If all else fails tell them it will help with your course work and that all your friends have one.

I will probably go with the first approach, thanks! 

 

And
if u go back to university next year, who is going to care for the tank?...also consider other expenses such as a large heater, lights, and air pump that use electricity..also water changes will add to the household water bill.
.then the expense of lots of fish, substrate, decorations, driftwood etc, ....

I've actually graduate from university this year so I'm moving home till I can afford my own place! I hadn't thought of the additional running costs that may be an issue however I have a job so won't find it difficult if they need the money! 

 

in the days before fish tanks my electric bill was around £50-£60 per quarter. Now with a 240 litre tank running and a 30 litre too my electric bill is now between £100 and £120 per quarter.... If you are paying the extra that is costs on the parents electric bill then yeah, ask and see what happens but if the parents are picking up the tab then I can see why they are saying no to big tanks
 
The bigger the tank the more it costs to run

Wow that is a large increase in price, I knew there'd be an increase but didn't realise it'd be that steep! That is a major thing to consider.
 
Seems like theres major pros and cons with this! Damn! I may just get it and keep it in the garage till I move out and then I can set it up without causing friction! 

 

[Ch4rlie]

Wow that is a large increase in price, I knew there'd be an increase but didn't realise it'd be that steep! That is a major thing to consider.
The bigger the tank the more it costs to run
 
Seems like theres major pros and cons with this! Damn! I may just get it and keep it in the garage till I move out and then I can set it up without causing friction! 

 
Thats what I was originally going to suggest but if your parents keep the car in the garage then, a moot point

 
But yes, large tanks can be stunning with lots of options for stocking options and set ups, the list is just about endless but the other side of the coin being lots of work and extra costs in running upkeep and equipments.
 
This is why you see large 5 to 7 feet tanks going pretty cheap on eBay and suchlike simply due to the amount of space they take as well as the running costs

 
But you must consider everything that is involved, not quite as simple as having a 200 litre tank in the corner of living room or wherever.
 
I'd certainly have one if i had the space, time and money.

 

[Fishmanic]

My 35 gallon and 30 gallon tanks cost approx $24 a month in total for electricity...then there's 130 gallons of water per month for water changes....costs of test kits and filter material also adds to the total tab..