The Puffer Forum

How do you convince the person in charge of the household to let you set up a larger tank when they have said no many many times? I bought a 38 gallon for my GSP while they were gone, and hid it in my room but due to the mother figure being nosey (she says its being caring) while I was out I got yelled at and almost kicked out even though I never set it up. I was told I could keep it for when I finally move out but until then its not getting set up. So I may either see if I can get away with a 20 long or see if I can convince her to let me set it up. Any suggestions?

maybe try to get her to understand about stunting a fish, how it affects their longterm health, the horomones released in the water and the pure waste puffers put out. maybe show her the pufferpedia page on GSP's and let her see some full grown ones. youtube some in smaller tanks and show her the difference in quality of care. this is your time to take responsibility for something tell her that lol.

unfortunately her being stubborn might not give you any other options than to keep what you are allowed. my mom was always really stubborn, but when i worked at a pet store she seemed to let go of that a little. while living in her house i had 2 parakeets, 1 cockatiel, pac man frog, 20G tall fish tank, bearded dragon, basilisk, softshell turtle, anoles and tree frogs lol at 16/17 years old not all at the same time though, but a majority of that at once.

best bet is to try to sit her down and show her the good and bad care of that fish. the personality the fish will show especially given good care, then she will love that fish as much as you if she has some sort of interaction with it.

I guess anything is worth a shot. I'be always wanted crested gecko but she said no to that. About a year ago I got into fish I had a 5 gallon tank with a couple mollies which turned into around 20 which was bad took over half to jack's and got a 10 gallon and she never noticed the size change, but when I bought a 38 she blew up and yelled at me "No large fish tanks!" I immediately was heart broken because my new puffer can't have the size tank he needs to be healthy. So I may email her puffer info and links to some videos so I don't have to directly confront her since she is typically unreasonable. Hopefully it works if not I'll at least get a 20 and keep it in my closet until I move out in about a year.

just reassure her that is the final size you would need for the fish to be healthy, maybe offer to get rid of the other tank after the larger one is cycled and ready. let her know that this is a long term responsibility(10+ years) for this fish alone if you are able to give it the best home possible. face to face is usually better, but if you feel that she is most likely to just shut down the idea right away then go ahead with emails. at least those are text that will sit, and give her time on her own to check them out instead of hearing a voice and hitting the off switch right away

I feel your pain I want to set up 1 more tank and my wife says no. Lol apparently I have enough? It's just not fair lol

How much longer do you have at home, and how big is your puffer?

Well I'm transferring schools in about a year so I'll be moving about an hour or so away. My puffer is about an inch maybe an inch and a half GSP, his or her name is Alf lol. Anyhoo any links to videos and very convincing information would be helpful.

Honestly, if you keep up with your water changes, and your puffer doesn't seem bored, then a 20 gallon long for that short of a term isn't absolutely horrible. It's not ideal, but it's not a death sentence. Just saying, *if* she is hell bent against it.

Anyone have a 20 gallon long I can buy that lives around Dayton, Ohio or willing to send me one? Lol

Check Craigslist.

I have been checking Craigslist for awhile. Nearest one is an hour away for 45 I asked for pictures cause I'm very interested in buying after they told me t was still up for sale.

It might not be feasible in this situation, but usually with stubborn people you have to make them think it was their idea. Somehow bring the issues to light, and speak generally hinting at the solution, until they suggest it, then, "Oh that's a good idea, I'm so glad you thought of it!"
I'm not sure how you would do this though in a situation that you already asked.

Yeah she is a real pain in the patooty

lol

Salmon wrote:I bought a 38 gallon for my GSP while they were gone, and hid it in my room but due to the mother figure being nosey (she says its being caring) while I was out I got yelled at and almost kicked out even though I never set it up.

this probably didn't help any