College, and my fishies

[yimmy]

I'm a sophmore in High School Right now. Before I got my tank my parents said when I go to college they will feed the fish but since I"m most likely going to an instate school they will take care of it but I still have to do all the water changes and stuff. Well last week my parents told me that don't want to take care of the tank when I go to college and I need to sell all my stuff, but If I want I can keep my tank and stand in the garage. I don't think its very fair, I also don't know what to think of it. What would you guys do. The thing though is when I get out of college I probably wont have 1000$ to get new fish, LR and sand. Last night I got into a huge arguement with my dad over it. I'm thinking that when I go to college I will take my two clownfish and get a 12 gallon that wouldn't be as hard to move around as my 95. Sorry for rambling but I've been a happier camper. What do you guys think?

 

[garnet13aj]

That's rough! I see both sides. If I was a parent and I wasn't into SW aquariums I wouldn't want to have to take care of it, but I would have said so up front so that there wasn't a question about it.
Just so you know, I'm in college now and in the dorms there wasn't any room for anything bigger than a 10g but I have a 55 in my appartment, so it's possible to have during college. Maybe if you were going to be in the dorms for a bit and then move into an appartment they would be willing to do the feeding for a year.
Otherwise, do you have any younger siblings that you could "train" over the next few years to handle the feeding (and maybe even the water changes w/a little bribe?)

 

[yimmy]

I'm the youngest...my sisters in college. I want to be a pilot( would be hard to take care of a SW tank having that career) and I may go to embry riddle, so if I went there I would have an apartment. It sucks because I have to get rid of my fish, but also money wise too...

 

[yimmy]

BTW my parents like SW tanks but not taking care of them.

 

[garnet13aj]

That's sucks! Is there a sw club in your area, you could start looking about 6 mo before you leave for some reliable people willing to take over your stock. Being a pilot would make it hard for you to keep a tank, but it's an awesome career! And dangerous if you fly small planes. I'm from Alaska and people die every year when flying small planes, so be careful if that's the kind you want to fly.

 

[yimmy]

I live in scottsdale and I want to fly for corporate companies. Small planes aren't as dangerous as people think, they still are bumpy though.

 

[garnet13aj]

It depends on the conditions really. I lived in alaska while I was growing up so if you wanted to go out into the boonies, that's generally the type of plane you take. I personally have 2 stories connected w/those planes crashing, but you here at least 2 every year, so I would say they are definitely more dangerous than the larger comercial planes, if they're flown under dangerous conditions. That being said, it's not like I don't ride in them.
In fact, this summer we went up in one when the wind was blowing about 60 mph. It was crazy, we were w/the best pilot my dad knows, but the plane was blowing all over the place and we ended up turning around anyway.

 

[babyb]

that really sux and i know how you feel i just started my second semester of college, i have a 90, 55, and a 30, and i just got back from the fish store because i had to downsize to just the two big ones, they want me to get rid of them all but im holding on to them. i cant stand to get rid of my reef and my fowlr, i love my fish and corals
i hope everything works out

 

[jon321]

Believe me, its better NOT letting your parents take care of them. I took that route and it ment algae EVERYWHERE and nitrates off the chart. Not to mention getting calls about a fish not eating, a fish missing, a pump not working, etc. Real headache that you dont need while stressing over schoolwork. I did bring a 5 gallon nano with me though.
Jon

 

[demartini]

You have 2 years left! Don't worry about it now. Get a nano that you can keep in your dorm... or do what I did... go to a college that is close to home.... that is if you have any good colleges near by.

 

[maeistero]

i've gone through this already. don't let your parents take care of the tank. it takes too much dedication to learning before even thinking of starting. if they don't really care, then they probably won't take the time. find a home for your fish. i'd keep your rock and sand, you can always reseed it later. beware of garages, tanks get "accidentally" broken often. i don't know if you have big temp changes in your area of az, but i've had tempered tank bottoms spider on overnight freezes in my garage.

 

[watson3]

Originally Posted by DeMartini
You have 2 years left! Don't worry about it now.
Ditto...Worry about school, girls..Normal things..This will get you the better education which will pay for your insane tank one day...

 

[gharner]

im also a sophamore in highschool and was thinking about the same thing. but i got 4 years cause after highschool im going to a community college to get my geneds out of the way. but then i will be going out of state to work toward my major.........zoology or marine biology :jumping:
good luck