Dh pissed about tank

[Soubriquet]

We managed to get a free 17l tank with a cheap pump and heater

Dh was talking about putting goldfish in there when I reminded him he could get a betta which is his dream fish.

So I got a better pump and a thermometer to keep an eye on the temperature of the tank.

He’s pissed. The newer pump is a bit louder yes but it’s better. He can’t see what was wrong with the original (cheap) pump

He doesn’t see why the tank needs a thermometer

He’s pissed I told him the tank needs to cycle for 4-6 weeks. He doesn’t agree.

“When I was a kid you could stick goldfish in a bowl and there were fine” he sulks

I don’t want the fish to be fine. I want them to thrive.

No real point in the post. I’m just venting because I’m pissed off

Nobody who doesn't understand why you'd buy better equipment has a 'dream fish'.

Considering betta is his dream fish he doesn't know much about them...

According to him fish should be a nice simple thing

I keep trying to explain to him that they aren’t like that anymore. Standards in fish care has gone up massively but no

He’s now stomped off and told me I can have the tank and he will have nothing to do with it. I don’t really want it because I know he will sulk every time he sees it if I put fish I want in it. (Molly’s and guppies).

Oh dear. Stroppy git

17l is nowhere near big enough for Molly's and guppy's. You do know they breed like rabbits

My DS has fish. He recently spent 4 full days getting all the fish out (including the tiny blue shrimp that have multipled to 100s - cost £6 each for a few when he got them) replacing the rocks at the bottom with sand and different layers if stuff, replacing the water, making sure there was no chlorine and that the water was balanced, replacing all the plants and letting them get settled, then adding all the fish back in. He now thinks a dog would have been easier to look after!
Fish are hard to look after, you need the right equipment and a fair bit of knowledge.

@ChickenGotLegs

17l is nowhere near big enough for Molly's and guppy's. You do know they breed like rabbits

Ah. Slightly forgot about that part

I might go for a betta anyway and hope that dh comes round.

Either that or I’ll get a fraternity tank of guppies.

I would prefer a sorority but I think males are prettier

A 17L is really a bit on the small side even for a Betta. I personally wouldn't keep them in less than 30 litres. The smaller the volume of water, the harder it is to care for. If your DH needs that explaining - ask him if he'd rather be trapped in a wardrobe with a toxic fart, or in a stadium.

If you want a group of livebearers, you'll need more like 70-100 litres at least.

Remember when you used to get a goldfish as a prize at the fair?
Put them in a little round bowl and find they're dead a few weeks later?
I honestly thought goldfish only live a short time. I was astonished to learn the natural lifespan is 10-15 years with some types living double that!

That's the difference between "When I was a kid you could stick goldfish in a bowl and they were fine" and actually properly caring for a goldfish!

You've made it your thing rather than his thing or your joint thing. He's being immature though.

Our fairground goldfish survived it's tank (bit bigger than a round bowl).

Then we put it in grans pond and it grew enormous.

Clever that.