Arguments for getting an aquarium (fish tank)?

Question

Hi, I would absolutely love to get a tropical aquarium at a decent size (maybe 1m length and 40cm width) but my mum isn't convinced with what I tell her, I know you may say, don't put it upstairs but surely there is a mat orsomething that will spread the weight?? Anyway, she thinks it's going to pop, explode, grow algae etc.
Oh and are there any solutions if it is put by a radiator??!!??..

I really need good persuasian techniques, best one with loads or a really good persuasian about getting a fish tank will get best answer!!

Answer 1

what she is really worried about is that you will not take care of the fish properly and that she will be stuck cleaning the tank and such and she is probably right. My parents were against me getting cats because of the litterbox that i said i would clean, but they let me get the cats and 15 years later, now we have 7 cats and i STILL don't clean the boxes like i should and they still complain about it...
speaking of which- I gotta go clean the boxes!
good luck

Answer 2

To pretty much sum it all up, you shouldn't put it upstairs or by a radiator. Water weighs 8.3 pounds per gallon. Then you add the weight of the glass, gravel, fish, decorations, light, filter, and stand, and you get a lot of weight in a small space. A meter is three feet, so that's around 30-50 gallons, which is 240-400 lbs. You don't want all of that weight upstairs. I have a ten gallon aquarium upstairs in my room and its fine, but the floor was newly redone and is very strong, so it can support that weight. If you put it by the radiator, it will cause the water to have temperature fluctuations that aren't good and will result in the death of your fish. It will grow algae almost any where you put it, and if you put it upstairs, there is the chance that the floor will bend, cause stress for the glass, and explode. However, there is that chance even if you put it downstairs. I'm pretty sure that in my house the upstairs floor is stronger than the downstairs, because the downstairs is 100 years old, and my dad (he's a carpenter) redid everything up there and reinforced the floor. I'd suggest starting with something small like a 1-5 gallon aquarium. You can put things like bettas, aquatic frogs, and neon tetras and things like that.

Answer 3

If you get a solid wood aquarium stand, that will distribute the weight fairly well, so long as it's not more than about a meter tall. Floors are designed to carry the weight of desks, tables, beds, WATER BEDS, safes, and very fat people who have to put all of their weight onto a single foot. Assuming that you haven't fallen through the cieling, and your home is less than 50 years old, the aquarium should hold. Aquariums are very unlikely to pop, explode, or crack. A leak is possible, but I had mine for 10 years before it ever leaked, and during that time, I did a lot of things you are not supposed to do with aquariums (propping rocks against the glass, filling it with dirt, scratching off some of the sealant, and even tipping it sideways to serve as a book shelf for a while)

Your aquarium WILL grow algae, but so long as it is not getting direct sunlight, the algae should be fairly easy to control with a combination of algae eaters, and scrubbing each month or so.

Putting an aquarium too close to a radiator might be a problem. The frequent changes in temperature can really stress out fish, which could lead to frequent fish die offs. An aquarium heater, for when the room heater is off, and a lot of insulation so the room heater spreads it's warmth more slowly into the tank should help.

Insulation can include foam board behind the tank (hidden by decorative backgrounds, of course) felt or foam padding beneath the tank, and beneath the stand, wrapping any tubes that go out of the aquarium, and a good quality hood to go on top of the tank. Reflective material facing the radiator could probably also cut down on the rapid temperature quite a bit, since the radiator "radiates" the heat.

Answer 4

If you have never had fish before why not start with something easy. Like goldfish. They are cheap to buy and easy to care for. Then if you can keep them alive for say, 6 months-1 year go for the tropical tank. In the meantime you can be saving your money to buy it all. One would never put any fish container near a heat source. Could then purchase a starter kit which usually contains a 10 gallon tank, under gravel filter, heater and such. You would still need to get the gravel,air stones or whatever, silk plants are best as they don't mess up the tank. Start small until ya know what you are doing. Can go to the library and look up some info.

Answer 5

honestly I thought keeping fish was easy until I brought some home.

$600 dollars later, 5 tanks later, 12 fish later, 8 dead fish later. and a batch of guppy fry. I was a good fish keeper!

its expensive, it really is, a good tank the size you want is worth close to 250 here in the US. you can keep it upstairs as long as it has a base that is stable and firm. its like having a tv upstairs, the weight of the tv is alot heavier than a fish tank.

if you are dead set on getting a fish tank tell you mom. that it wont take up alot of space, time, or energy to keep fish unlike dogs, cats, ferrets, birds, and so on. the fish dont make sounds, they look gorgeous, etc.. I just kinda brought my fishies home and my mom had to deal with it. but she's fine now, it gives me a great hobby to do and I get out of her way around the house. it wont explode or pop or what not, but it will grow algae. I wouldnt put it by a radiator due to the heat that it produces and higher heat can kill you fish. and dont place it near a window, that increases algae growth and more work for you to keep up. water changes every other day is a must, cleaning the gravel with a gravel vacuum every month will cut back on dying fish and ammonia, buy small doses of illness treatment for the fish for the breakin cycling, and be sure to buy cheaper fish to cycle your tank with before you dish out close to 50 US dollars for a fish. if you dont cycle the 50 US dollar fish could die and you just lost 50 dollars. well good luck!!

hope you get the tank if your not afraid of how much it would really cost you!

Answer 6

I have personal experience with tank "accidents"... they can happen. Popping and exploding is not one of them though. Just make sure the seals around the tank are in good condition.

Tanks can leak through the filter. A bad seal, and bad hose, little things. But the odds of this happening are next to nothing.

They shouldn't be kept near a radiater. This will over heat the fish and cause too many temperature irregularities. That can kill them, and when it's too hot, oh yes Algae will grow.

Will it fall through the floor if you put it upstairs? No. I live on the 4th floor and I have a 240 liter tank and a 114 liter tank.

If you keep the tank clean, algae won't be a probem. If you take care of your accessories, leaking won't be a problem.

Perhaps ease your mom into it by first getting a Betta bowl. Show her you can take care of a single fish. Show her you can keep the bowl clean, and prevent water spots on furniture.

If you can do this, then upgrade later to something larger. If you have the proper place to put it... not by a radiater, not by a window.

Tell her these perks...

-Decreased static in the house from the added humidity. (excellent for homes heated by radiaters)

-Clearer breathing at night by the added humidity.

-Stress relief from watching fish.

-Shows that your child can be responsible without having to go through the care of a rodent. Fish don't stink or shed.

Answer 7

Don't put a tank next to the radiator. I would recommend that you start out with a smaller freshwater tank. The fish are cheaper, so when they die, alot of $ isn't wasted. It will also give you the chance to "practice" caring for fish. It can be tough, if one gets sick, the others might too. Then you have to buy medication. Sometimes when you buy fish, they already have a disease you don't notice until after they get home, then it's too late, etc....And by the way, algea growth is almost guarenteed. Once it starts, it spreads FAST and it's hard to keep under control. This is only a fraction of possible problems....

Answer 8

Fish tanks are rather a lot continuously leak-evidence. in the journey that they are massive, they ought to have those beams on genuine that make certain the glues will carry with the stress of the water. and there is the rule of thumb of ten to 20 gallons of water in line with fish. maximum folk trouble more suitable about their fish than their walls even as thinking fish tanks. Humidity is rather a lot in no way a issue until eventually the area isn't ethereal, and non-ethereal aspects are literally not truly efficient for fish tanks besides.

Answer 9

Give your Mum real info. Visit the pet store and come in loaded w/ all the info she will need to make an informed decision. Aquariums are a very rewarding hobby. They are also a lot of work. I have 13 aquariums and they are wonderful but they are also expensive and time consuming.
I cannot think of a single situation where you would want to put your aquarium beside a radiator.
Good Luck!

Answer 10

You can reassure her you will take care of it and with regular 25% water changes tanks don't stink.

Having tanks on a second floor are fine, I have 5 in my living room and it is above the basement. (one being 175 gallons) and there are no issues with flooring.
Remind her having fish take responsiblity and you need to prove to her you are responsable.

Make a deal with her, that at the first sign you are not taking care of your fish, they get returned to the store. (How can she say no to that deal!)

Tanks are highly durable. They don't pop or explode. Reassure her or have her talk to the fish store people with regards to this issue.

Putting your tank next to a radiator isn't a good idea. Not only will the temps in the tank fluxuate in the winter months algae will soon become your enemy!

Answer 11

It's not going to be a problem, but it will be costly.

A tropical (salt water) aquarium is very hard to keep up. No, it won't explode or implode. Even if you were to keep it away from the light and direct heat, it will grow algae if you're not careful.

It sounds like you really want this, but you haven't really done your research. Go online or to the pet store and get information. Learn about what it will cost and take it have a successful tropical tank.

It's not just about the tank. The fish can cost an AMAZING amount.

Listen to your mom, note her concerns, but approach them like an adult.