Wow, Big Delima

Starfishpower · Jul 1, 2008

so iv been into this hobby for about a year now, give or take a few months, and iv really grown to love it, researched on the web constantly, regularly had my nose pressed up against the glass in most of my local fish stores, all that fun stuff. and in my excitement i would always bring fishies home as they caught my eye, of course most of the time i would see it - want it - go research it - and then get it, but still i got a bunch of fish on impulse so to say. well now im faced with 4 betta tanks, a community tank (which doubles as one of the betta tanks), and an additional aquarium for my baby senegal. and the next step is to upgrade to better accommodate my growing fish and it kinda hit me that, while i have mts - multi tank syndrome - im not really that into all the fish i presently have. and i thought about it for a second and i was like "if i was starting from scratch today - no fish to begin with - what kind of a set up(s) would i do?". another factor in this situation is that during the year as i go off to college i have to take my tank(s) with me, my parents do not want to take care of them for me... plus whats the point; enjoy my fish only during the summers when im home? ya no, not gona work for me. so im faced with also considering how easy is it to move all my tanks twice a year for the next few years... and what will that do to the fish? stepping back and looking at it, if i was starting new right now i would purchase and set up only one tank for while im in college; a 40 breeder, and i would either have one bichir in it or do a clean looking simple setup with a school of banjo catfish - moonlight included of course. so help me figure out what to do. i dont really want to give my fish away to a lfs and the only friend of mine that also keeps fish doesnt want to baby sit them for me. should i just suck it up and give some away, wait a month and see how i feel then, what? you guys always give good advice, what do ya'll think?

Biulu · Jul 1, 2008

You already answered your own question, with the suggestion to have a 40 breeder only.....

Starfishpower · Jul 1, 2008

hmmmm, ya but idk what i want right now. thats the idea, give me ideas, help me figure out what i want... or am i just being to dramatic making a thread about this? :lol:

i think though, and i might be hitting the nail on the head here, just wait till time comes to leave and decide then - do i consolidate and get a simpler set up or do i figure out how to take all the tanks with me, or some happy medium in between :fun:

ALEXF · Jul 1, 2008

you also might want to take into consideration how much space your going to have at college. Most dorm rooms that i have seen barely have enough space for a 10 gallon. plus a 40 gallon breeder tank isnt exactly light to be moving even if it is only a few times a year. you might want something even more simple. maybe a 10 gallon sectioned off so you could keep all of your bettas. idk. good luck thou.

Starfishpower · Jul 1, 2008

ALEXF said:
you also might want to take into consideration how much space your going to have at college. Most dorm rooms that i have seen barely have enough space for a 10 gallon. plus a 40 gallon breeder tank isnt exactly light to be moving even if it is only a few times a year. you might want something even more simple. maybe a 10 gallon sectioned off so you could keep all of your bettas. idk. good luck thou.

ya thats good point, iv considered that housing is not the most ideal for fishkeepers, though iv been in college a year or so now and i dont think im technically allowed to live in a dorm any more, its just for freshman. so i would end up with an apartment or a condo. a condo would solve all the space issues and if i can afford it thats the route im going to take. i like your idea on the 10 gallon sectioned for bettas, iv been rolling that around in my mind for a while now, how to house them in a small space and still allow them enough room thrive. i like that idea :good:

so that actually could kinda answer my question about what to do with the bettas, now iv got to focus on the community tank, im pretty dead sure i want to keep my bichir. i love my little predator... who is going to grow up to be a big predator. part of the problem is im not even sure i want to take care of a community right now with all the work that goes into it. beauty through simplicity is my friend right now. not sure how to deal with that.

ALEXF · Jul 1, 2008

yea i dont know what to tell you, but good luck and glad i was able to help some what.

schooly20 · Jul 1, 2008

Being a college student myself and having a 65 gal. I will say it is hard to move it. I usually only move once a year even. No matter what if you have a spot for a tank you will eventually fill it. I thought by just getting a bigger tank would be enough but of course when I move later this month I'll be setting up another 55 gal tank. If you're into the hobby you will find a way to have as many tanks as you can. My opinion is set up the 10 gal for your bettas to conserve space, but I would say wait to do anything too drastic with your community, wait it out like you said to see how things go when you move. who knows, maybe you'll actually have space for all your tanks and even room for another. Just wait on it for now.

Starfishpower · Jul 1, 2008

schooly20 said:
Being a college student myself and having a 65 gal. I will say it is hard to move it. I usually only move once a year even. No matter what if you have a spot for a tank you will eventually fill it. I thought by just getting a bigger tank would be enough but of course when I move later this month I'll be setting up another 55 gal tank. If you're into the hobby you will find a way to have as many tanks as you can. My opinion is set up the 10 gal for your bettas to conserve space, but I would say wait to do anything too drastic with your community, wait it out like you said to see how things go when you move. who knows, maybe you'll actually have space for all your tanks and even room for another. Just wait on it for now.

yep, thats what i think ill do. ill probably go ahead and get the 50 breeder (i know i said 40 but i just found out they make a 50 that has a little more width to it so im going with that) for the senegal since he really does need more room and just wait it out and see how things play out before making a decision about the community. i asked my dad to see what he thought and thats about the same advice he gave, particularly since the family loves all the fish ~ except my senny, they dont like how predatory he is, when i first got him home he started perfecting his hunting skills on my ghost shrimp, and my family loves the cute little ghosties, so they dont love the senny :lol:

i thought it was adorable ~ i viewed him like a cute little puppy carrying a big bone around in the backyard.... except it was a cute little senegal bichir carrying a big ghost shrimp around tank

Starfishpower · Jul 1, 2008

schooly20 said:
Being a college student myself and having a 65 gal. I will say it is hard to move it. I usually only move once a year even. No matter what if you have a spot for a tank you will eventually fill it. I thought by just getting a bigger tank would be enough but of course when I move later this month I'll be setting up another 55 gal tank. If you're into the hobby you will find a way to have as many tanks as you can. My opinion is set up the 10 gal for your bettas to conserve space, but I would say wait to do anything too drastic with your community, wait it out like you said to see how things go when you move. who knows, maybe you'll actually have space for all your tanks and even room for another. Just wait on it for now.

yep, thats what i think ill do. ill probably go ahead and get the 50 breeder (i know i said 40 but i just found out they make a 50 that has a little more width to it so im going with that) for the senegal since he really does need more room and just wait it out and see how things play out before making a decision about the community.