Should I or Shouldn't I...

**Bristley** · 04-26-2010, 04:30 PM

Alright, I just saw this amazing deal on Craigslist.

A 55g with a stand. Comes with a Penguin Bio-wheel filter. (also has a UGF, which I think I could try to trade into my LFS for some cred.) It's only $50.00

It's located close to my house and I could easily pick it up.

Here's the problem....

Assuming it's in good condition do I...

A) Buy it, take it home and "surprize" the wife. (and figure out where the heck it would go)
B) Let her know about it and then probably hear her say NO.
C) Buy it and hide it in the garage for several months until I can find a place for it and set it up as a "Christmas gift". (for myself)

**Zilla** · 04-26-2010, 04:40 PM

There is a good chance that you're not going to like my answer, but I'm going with B even if your wife does say no.

If my other half took to hiding stuff around the house because he didn't want to hear "NO" the hell that would be paid for doing such a thing would be far worse than if he was just up front with me.

I don't hide things from him either. Just this morning we were talking about how I ordered a new light for the 20 gallon and said that was my Mother's Day gift. Instead of getting mad, he told me to order the pasta making thing that I wanted as well.

Do as you wish, I just have trust issues in general and doing something like that would take my typical trust issues and send them my further up the scale.

**Brhino** · 04-26-2010, 04:41 PM

"It's easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission"

**Shootamonkey2** · 04-26-2010, 04:41 PM

GO FOR IT! I've never seen a 55G for that cheap! With the stand included? You would be crazy not to take the offer!

**Bristley** · 04-26-2010, 05:28 PM

Ok, I've been thinking about it. I think I will go with option B. I agree with Zilla that it's not good to keep things from your spouse. I don't keep things from her so why should I start now, even though it's darn tempting.

If she does say no then at least there won't be any trust issues that develop, and if she actually says yes then WHOOOPIE!!!.

Anyway, this is kind of on to a different question.

If I did end up with this tank I was thinking about the following...

For filtration I'd want to make sure I had plenty so I was thinking of 2 Marinleland HOT Magnum 250s. That should be more than adequate don't you think?

And I was thinking about a stocking list like this...

4 Angels (would like a m/f ratio that could produce a spawning pair)
2 BN Plecos (1m/1f)
1 Red Tailed Black Shark.
Tons of real plants.

Lighting would obviously have to be adequate for the plants but I don't have the tank and may not even be able to get it so I haven't thought that far ahead.

Let me know what y'all think.

**Sarkazmo** · 04-26-2010, 05:28 PM

Luckily I don't have this problem as my partner would be getting my wallet and the truck keys while I got dressed so we didn't miss such an awesome deal!

Honesty is always best, just let her know how much of a deal this really is!

Sark

**Zilla** · 04-26-2010, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by Bristley

Ok, I've been thinking about it. I think I will go with option B. I agree with Zilla that it's not good to keep things from your spouse. I don't keep things from her so why should I start now, even though it's darn tempting.

If she does say no then at least there won't be any trust issues that develop, and if she actually says yes then WHOOOPIE!!!.

Anyway, this is kind of on to a different question.

If I did end up with this tank I was thinking about the following...

For filtration I'd want to make sure I had plenty so I was thinking of 2 Marinleland HOT Magnum 250s. That should be more than adequate don't you think?

And I was thinking about a stocking list like this...

4 Angels (would like a m/f ratio that could produce a spawning pair)
2 BN Plecos (1m/1f)
1 Red Tailed Black Shark.
Tons of real plants.

Lighting would obviously have to be adequate for the plants but I don't have the tank and may not even be able to get it so I haven't thought that far ahead.

Let me know what y'all think.

That sounds good, however, this circles back to your A option in your first post. Where are you going to put it? And is this why you suspect your wife will say no? If she isn't opposed to the hobby, but doesn't feel like selling furniture to accomdate your tank habit, is there room for compromise?

Yeah, yeah it's cheap, but is it worth it? I know, some would say yes, but they don't have to live in your house either. LOL

**Aeonflame** · 04-26-2010, 11:01 PM

Repeat after me..

"honey! Look what I bought you!!! Now dont worry, you wont have to lift a finger.. I'll stock and maintain it for you!"

**Zilla** · 04-26-2010, 11:06 PM

Originally Posted by Aeonflame

Repeat after me..

"honey! Look what I bought you!!! Now dont worry, you wont have to lift a finger.. I'll stock and maintain it for you!"

Smooth talker..

LOL- There are less than a handful of people in real life that I know that could get away with saying something like that. While I don't know you in RL, I suspect you'd fall into that catagory.

**fish00053** · 04-26-2010, 11:44 PM

This reminds me of once I was married. Valentines Day!!! I won $2000 on a check pool at work. I bought a dozen roses and a Browning 10gauge shotgun. I came in the door and the gun was in the box and flowers in my hand. Her response was honey your so sweet. My reply was I hope you like everything I got you. She read the flower card, and opened the box. She said what is this, I said I bought you something so you would join me in my hobby of hunting. She replied, you know I'm afraid of guns take it back. I replied the store only gives credit, looks like I'll have to keep it. Needless to say, I bought a gift for my wife that became very useful to me.