How did you get your wife to let you set up a bigger tank?

[Flyboy450r]

This is a searous question. Well in my case it's my gf that lives with me but I keep asking her and she keeps telling me she really does not want me setting up a larger tank. She says if we move to a larger house I can have any size I want but In are current house my 29 is big enough. Im only thinking of getting a 90 but I am on the loosing side of the battle. I dont really care to move till she's out of school I have cheap rent and the way the world is today having that and a understanding landlord is worth alot. To me it is at least. I know I can do it cheap enough and it would make life so much easier and my corals are starting to out grow my tank but I just can't figure out how everyone was aloud to upgrade. Well this should get some fun responses hope to hear back from you Mike

[fishgeeksrus]

Seems like a lot of people i know have tried to get their "other" into the hobby more. Maybe convince her by "giving her" the other tank and getting yourself your 90. She can put her own fish and corals into it, which might turn her into a reefer before you know it.

[chrisfont23]

Dude, that's a simple answer. One day, you sneak out and buy it. Stash it in the shed or something. Then, in like a week you send her unsuspecting self off shopping alone. Sneak out to the shed, carry it in and set it up. She comes home from her shopping spree and everyone's happy. It costs alot, but being unmarried, this seems like your only solution.

In my case I am married. So I stop at buying it and setting up. The next part differs. It involves dealing with it - or as some may refer to, the coping period. This though has dependencies - like length of marriage, number of kids, job responsibilities in a "versus the spouse" scenario and of course, the spot you put it being absolutely permanent beyond any reasonable effort to move it. There is also the sowing period, in which you gently ride to this moment where you plant the seeds of how you plan to reach this goal despite how insane it sounds. So pulling it off makes you look like a magician, and leaves the spouse speechless and bewildered.

My upgrade will be a Red Sea Max 250. The seeds are being planted.

Yoda: A lot to learn do you have young padwan

Enjoy ;)

- Chris

[Ange]

Well, I don't know much about saltwater tanks yet as mine has only been up about 4 days and I'm in the learning stages but I can give you a woman's point of view here. I think she wants to move to a bigger house and this is her "sticking point." She's holding out for the bigger house in hopes that you'll move so that you can get the bigger tank.

I wanted the aquarium and my husband was the holdout for several weeks. I was looking on Craigs List and thinking of getting a used tank (thank God I didn't!). We eventually went to a commercial aquarium warehouse to "window shop" and the owner was the one that talked my husband into it without even realizing it. You might want to consider doing the same thing. Go shopping with her one weekend and just pop into you LFS to see what they have and get some costs then start asking questions. Maybe she'll be on board before you know it!

Angela

[Flyboy450r]

Well Ive tried popping into the LFS she wont budge but it is a great idea. I do like the shed idea. Ill just start small new power heads, pump, skimmmer, sump, lights, hide all of it then one day just pop in with a new fish tank I'm sure she will get over it. If nothing else theres always the engagment ring right its about time for it any ways. LOL.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

If nothing else theres always the engagment ring right its about time for it any ways. LOL.

Its funny you say that. My wife got an engagement ring. I got a motorcycle and the bill for both! 3 years later, I'm still paying for the ring! Worked like a charm though.

[Flyboy450r]

Yeah Im affraid thats the route Im going to have to take. But I need a larger tank this Nano Tank Stuff Is getting old. I guess I shold start a 90 gallon Build thread and get some thoughts and suggestions. LOL. I have a good Idea but I feel bad I didnt keep up on my 29 gallon one.

[iap]

Just do it. You know I've heard many wise married men use the saying. "Its better to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission."So just buy it and set it up as if you already got permission to do so. What's the worse that can happen..she gets mad and don't talk to you for a few days, perfect you get to set the tank up in peace and quiet.

[jaybroreef]

SHE WANTS A BIGGER HOUSE,SILLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TimH07]

Do what I did, get rid of the wife.. problem solved.

[twisted]

my wife enjoys my hobby almost as much as me but it took me about a year and a half of subtle and psychological warefare. whispering in her ear as she slept, having tank is too small nightmares......lol....i finally just told her she could have a new washer and dryer and frigde if i could upgrade. it also helped to say if i had i bigger tank, id have room to frag stuff and start making a little money. oh, and i promised her that id put some xenia back in the tank

[gordogutierrez]

Some times its best to just ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission. Three years later I'm still saying I'm sorry but man I love looking at my 220......Good luck.

[The.Maxi.Man]

Man up and tell her too bad, I pay the bills ;)

My GF complains but I just ignore her