Help, I can't stop.

[elderberry99]

I ran two 30's, a 55. a 125, and a 7 gallon hospital tank about 12 years ago and ditched it all. Sold out. I could not help myself at the time. I kept ordering and ordering. Buying out others that were moving or just wanted to get out of the aquariums altogether.
After my wife had me install a 100 gallon pond in the yard with all the electric and plants, etc; I had to go out to my local (30 minutes away) fish store and order the 55 gallon tank, cabinet, canopy, lids, lights, filters and chemicals. I then ordered the rest of the things needed such as heaters, gravel, breeding tanks, siphon hose, plants, air pumps and any other thing connected to the aquarium from the internet. I cannot seem to help myself. I have such a passion and love for the aquariums that I cannot help myself. My wife says I am not only obsessed, but possessed. I cannot seem to stop myself from gettng deeper and deeper into the hobby.
I am already going around the house with the ruler measuring the different vacant areas of wall space trying to fit a 30 gallon here, and a 125 gallon there. My wife is about ready to pull the plug on me and kick me out!
What do I do!!!

[Rayneuki]

Stop then.
Seriously, just sell off all of the tanks and give the fish new homes. Think of it as another portion of the hobby, you're getting others into it!
But seriously, just drop it all and maybe keep one tank. A small one at that, maybe a little 20gal or perhaps just a 1 gal hex.

Stop, control yourself. And if you can't, go to a therapist. No joke, you might have a real problem. You probably have an extremely addictive personality... Therefor you do need help. I'm not insulting you at all, just trying to help.

[Lotus]

I'd say get your 55 up and running, and take it from there, depending on the wife.

We ended up with around 16 tanks at one point. Now, we're taking a few down for a while. We're both into fish, so it kind of expanded a little more than expected.

Maybe get a tank for your wife, with the fish she likes, if she's up for that.

[elderberry99]

Every morning my wife is asking me "how many fish"?
She wants me to count them them every time I feed them, She is worried that I am not taking care of "her" fish when I feed them.
i do have such a love for the aquatic life.
My wife knows this and I feel she reallly loves it that I feel this way.
I complain about our three cats all the time, but I would kill anyone that would threaten our cats. My wife is very supportive of whatever I do as far as the natural life or animal life goes. I guess I am the luckest guy in the world!

[TabMorte]

My daughter and I fishkeep together. We're both kinda geeky. We're not sports people so it's something we do to bond that we both enjoy a lot.

We have a little 'piggy bank' for fish stuff that we each toss a couple bucks in every 'payday' (she's only 8 so she donates a buck a week of her $5.00 allowence to it). Fish food and water conditioners and stuff comes out of that fund. If there's left overs we have to mutually decide what to spend that on. A new fish? A new plant? A new tank? If we don't agree nothing gets bought. You and your wife might want to take a similar approach. It means that your spending's restricted (Agree on what goes into the 'fund' ahead of time. I put in $10.00 a paycheck) and you have to run your purchases by eachother before you make them. Everyones happy, no one's over spending like mad and most importantly you're using the hobby to bond with eachother. Not to exclude eachother.

[Lakea]

I know it is so hard to have just one tank, I started out with one 2g hex, than I added a 10 and a 29g, I was good for awhile but I wanted bigger tanks, so I sold those and got a 55g, but then I say a bookshelf aquarium I just had to have and then finally added my 75, but I am still constantly checking out craigslist for any great deals on aquariums. I too have gone around and measured vacant spots in the house. But I am trying very hard to limit myself on just three tanks. But I wouldn't mind a pond...hmm...

[elderberry99]

Don't get me wrong, I would not put the house up for a fish tank!
I just love having the tanks in the house. My wife does enjoy watching the fish swimming. It has that calming effect on people. I do a lot of skeet shooting, but would rather put my money and effort into another tank somewhere in the house. I do get great pleasure having the fish tanks around the house.
We have some very nice aquariums here in North Carolina. I spend a lot of time there just looking and feeling the tranquility that it gives off.

[FishGeek]

Originally Posted by TabMorte

My daughter and I fishkeep together. We're both kinda geeky. We're not sports people so it's something we do to bond that we both enjoy a lot.

We have a little 'piggy bank' for fish stuff that we each toss a couple bucks in every 'payday' (she's only 8 so she donates a buck a week of her $5.00 allowence to it). Fish food and water conditioners and stuff comes out of that fund. If there's left overs we have to mutually decide what to spend that on. A new fish? A new plant? A new tank? If we don't agree nothing gets bought. You and your wife might want to take a similar approach. It means that your spending's restricted (Agree on what goes into the 'fund' ahead of time. I put in $10.00 a paycheck) and you have to run your purchases by eachother before you make them. Everyones happy, no one's over spending like mad and most importantly you're using the hobby to bond with eachother. Not to exclude eachother.

VERY good idea!!!

[tom91970]

I'm up to 11 aquariums at the moment (plus three betta tanks). I've run out of room at the house, but have been thinking about maybe putting in a 10g at the office.

I also have an empty 10g on the floor that might be either a QT or a saltwater nano.

It's not an addiction...it's a way of life.

[Airborneguy]

Don't take this the wrong way, but reading your posts it is obvious that you have an obsessive personality. And I'm talking about the writing itself... maybe therapy is needed and it is some sort of addiction...