Aquarium in dorms?

Gatorluva9 · 08/29/2009, 11:02 AM

has anyone had an aquarium and then went to college and brought it with them into there dorm?
Im a senior this year, and i was wondering what other peoples experiences with going to college and how it affected their aquarium hobby

scapes · 08/29/2009, 11:39 AM

i had a tank once (freshwater) and it was a pain in the neck. i would drag that thing home (only 10g) b/c of holidays and breaks and such. if you're a senior i'd just as soon wait it out.

919 · 08/29/2009, 11:48 AM

I think he is a senior in high school...

Rent a house.

amkelly802 · 08/29/2009, 11:58 AM

my roommates and i tried it.. i wouldnt advise it, its better to not move that stuff so much and just leave it at home with your parents

Salty Brother · 08/29/2009, 12:08 PM

Im bringing my 12gal nano to college and I know a friend that has a 10 freshwater and its doing fine.

Ebisan · 08/29/2009, 12:21 PM

In college you're going to have a lot of other distractions to keep you busy and having fun.

Ben_Im · 08/29/2009, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gatorluva9
has anyone had an aquarium and then went to college and brought it with them into there dorm?
Im a senior this year, and i was wondering what other peoples experiences with going to college and how it affected their aquarium hobby

I would strongly suggest against taking your aquarium to college for a couple reasons.

1. Some people are really sensitive sleepers who could find it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep with the hum of a powerhead or splashing of a filter.
2. College is all about getting out of your comfort zone and trying new things. Having an aquarium seems like something that would hold you back or create some what of a comfort that you can always retreat to when you're unsure.

I say, leave it at home, forget about the aquarium. When you move into an apartment 2nd year, take it with you if you meet some roommates that are okay with it.

boilermaker1 · 08/29/2009, 02:42 PM

Problem 1: they turn the power off over breaks.
Problem 2: stupid people may think its funny to feed your fish dorm food or other strange things.
Problem 3: you'll have trouble getting RODI water.
Problem 4: Homework takes up more of your time than you think, and you dont have time, or wont want deal with the fish.
Problem 5: Dorm rooms are small enough without a fish tank in the way.

Want a fish in the dorm? Get a betta or a goldfish.

username in use · 08/29/2009, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by boilermaker1
Problem 1: they turn the power off over breaks.
Problem 2: stupid people may think its funny to feed your fish dorm food or other strange things.
Problem 3: you'll have trouble getting RODI water.
Problem 4: Homework takes up more of your time than you think, and you dont have time, or wont want deal with the fish.
Problem 5: Dorm rooms are small enough without a fish tank in the way.

Want a fish in the dorm? Get a betta or a goldfish.

All good points, but ro is actually pretty easy on a college campus, just check out t he science department, they usually have it running through their lab sinks.

Salty Brother · 08/29/2009, 03:19 PM

It seems like everyone is saying the time issue with tanks in college but I don't spend anytime on my tank, I just sit and enjoy. Now I do have a auto topoff and timers for everything. And also my tank doesn't really make any noise. The noise of my fan is much louder. I say if you feel up to it then do it, but if you're on the edge about having a tank in the dorms then don't do it. I do understand the point of having foreign materials put in the tank (biggest example is probably alcohol) which I really hope doesn't happen, but if it does then I guess that is the end of the reef tank.

boilermaker1 · 08/29/2009, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by username in use
All good points, but ro is actually pretty easy on a college campus, just check out t he science department, they usually have it running through their lab sinks.

You can get it.... but at least where I went to school.... it was nearly a mile from the chem building to the nearest dorm.... Gonna be a pain to slug the water around, but yes... it can be done.

audiophile42 · 08/29/2009, 03:58 PM

I really thought about having a tank when I was at school (recently graduated). The thing that stopped me was the thought of moving it over every break since almost all schools shut off electricity and/or heat.

cloak · 08/29/2009, 04:45 PM

I wouldn't trust having a tank around all that beer. Something bad is going to happen...

scapes · 08/29/2009, 04:49 PM

i had a nice little goldfish tank in my apartment and my roomies got wasted and thought it would be cool to put palmolive in it. yeah, that was cool.

trexer · 08/29/2009, 04:49 PM

Good luck with your tank after a late night drinking with your friends. Dorms just are not that big but I wish you luck.

billdogg · 08/29/2009, 05:20 PM

I had a freshwater 10g in the barracks when i was at Fort Leonard Wood! LOL

it did ok, and was a great distraction when it was inspection time.

Frogmanx82 · 08/29/2009, 08:28 PM

I had a 15 gallon african cichlid tank in the dorm for 3 years. No one ever put beer or other substances in the tank while we put all kinds of things in our own bodies. I just don't think that's as big an issue as people are suggesting.

I did move the africans to a 55 gallon tank for my senior year when I moved into a house. Moving it was a little bit of a pain but fish get moved in bags all the time so moving them in a 5 gallon bucket was a lot better for them than that. A 55 gallon tank is some work. I don't thnk a 29 gallon nano system would be a big deal to move.

otrlynn · 08/29/2009, 08:46 PM

In addition to what has already been mentioned, consider what you will do with the tank and its inhabitants over winter break. Many schools close their dorms, and/or lower the heat. Even if the dorm is not closed, do you want to stick around or come back early to maintain it? Same for spring break, though that is usually shorter. If you end up renting a house or apt. year round next year or the following year, then taking the tank makes more sense.

serpentman · 08/29/2009, 08:53 PM

I had a FOWLR during my freshman year. However, after lugging it home every break, it got to be a real PITA so I left it home. My parents were thrilled.

A couple of things to consider:

1.) During long breaks, most colleges either shut off the power or reduce heat

2.) College is the one time in your life where you have most of the privileges of adulthood with virtually none of the responsibility. Personally I would enjoy your senior year without the burden of a tank.

08/29/2009, 11:02 AM	#1
Gatorluva9 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Gainesville Posts: 62	Aquarium in dorms? has anyone had an aquarium and then went to college and brought it with them into there dorm? Im a senior this year, and i was wondering what other peoples experiences with going to college and how it affected their aquarium hobby

08/29/2009, 05:20 PM	#16
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I had a freshwater 10g in the barracks when i was at Fort Leonard Wood! LOL it did ok, and was a great distraction when it was inspection time. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

08/29/2009, 08:28 PM	#17
Frogmanx82 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,515	I had a 15 gallon african cichlid tank in the dorm for 3 years. No one ever put beer or other substances in the tank while we put all kinds of things in our own bodies. I just don't think that's as big an issue as people are suggesting. I did move the africans to a 55 gallon tank for my senior year when I moved into a house. Moving it was a little bit of a pain but fish get moved in bags all the time so moving them in a 5 gallon bucket was a lot better for them than that. A 55 gallon tank is some work. I don't thnk a 29 gallon nano system would be a big deal to move. __________________ Exodus 8:2 Check my homepage for tank pics and details. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon, 2x maxspect R420R LED, 4 Ocellaris Clowns, Yellow Eye Kole Tang, Flame Angel, Foxface Rabbitfish, Banggai Cardinals, Azure Damsel, rock flower anemone, cleaner shrimp, serpent star

08/29/2009, 08:46 PM	#18
otrlynn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chester County PA Posts: 1,508	In addition to what has already been mentioned, consider what you will do with the tank and its inhabitants over winter break. Many schools close their dorms, and/or lower the heat. Even if the dorm is not closed, do you want to stick around or come back early to maintain it? Same for spring break, though that is usually shorter. If you end up renting a house or apt. year round next year or the following year, then taking the tank makes more sense. __________________ Lynn 1 horse, 1 dog, 2 cats, small pond with a few koi. The fish tank is gone.

08/29/2009, 08:53 PM	#19
serpentman part time superhero Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Deep in the Heart of the Snowbelt (NE OHIO) Posts: 5,698	I had a FOWLR during my freshman year. However, after lugging it home every break, it got to be a real PITA so I left it home. My parents were thrilled. A couple of things to consider: 1.) During long breaks, most colleges either shut off the power or reduce heat 2.) College is the one time in your life where you have most of the privileges of adulthood with virtually none of the responsibility. Personally I would enjoy your senior year without the burden of a tank. __________________ BS in Marine Bio ('96), First SW tank in 1992. Current Tank(s) 300g SPS with 90g frag tank and 40 anemone tank - decommissioned 46g LPS/Softy Cube 300g FOWLR under construction - decommissioned

08/29/2009, 11:39 AM	#2
scapes Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Millbrook, AL Posts: 2,520	i had a tank once (freshwater) and it was a pain in the neck. i would drag that thing home (only 10g) b/c of holidays and breaks and such. if you're a senior i'd just as soon wait it out.

08/29/2009, 11:48 AM	#3
919 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 84	I think he is a senior in high school... Rent a house.

08/29/2009, 11:58 AM	#4
amkelly802 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NY Posts: 121	my roommates and i tried it.. i wouldnt advise it, its better to not move that stuff so much and just leave it at home with your parents

08/29/2009, 12:08 PM	#5
Salty Brother Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 1,119	Im bringing my 12gal nano to college and I know a friend that has a 10 freshwater and its doing fine.

08/29/2009, 12:21 PM	#6
Ebisan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,141	In college you're going to have a lot of other distractions to keep you busy and having fun.

08/29/2009, 02:42 PM	#8
boilermaker1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chantilly, VA Posts: 784	Problem 1: they turn the power off over breaks. Problem 2: stupid people may think its funny to feed your fish dorm food or other strange things. Problem 3: you'll have trouble getting RODI water. Problem 4: Homework takes up more of your time than you think, and you dont have time, or wont want deal with the fish. Problem 5: Dorm rooms are small enough without a fish tank in the way. Want a fish in the dorm? Get a betta or a goldfish.

08/29/2009, 03:19 PM	#10
Salty Brother Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 1,119	It seems like everyone is saying the time issue with tanks in college but I don't spend anytime on my tank, I just sit and enjoy. Now I do have a auto topoff and timers for everything. And also my tank doesn't really make any noise. The noise of my fan is much louder. I say if you feel up to it then do it, but if you're on the edge about having a tank in the dorms then don't do it. I do understand the point of having foreign materials put in the tank (biggest example is probably alcohol) which I really hope doesn't happen, but if it does then I guess that is the end of the reef tank.

08/29/2009, 03:58 PM	#12
audiophile42 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Gurnee, IL Posts: 410	I really thought about having a tank when I was at school (recently graduated). The thing that stopped me was the thought of moving it over every break since almost all schools shut off electricity and/or heat.

08/29/2009, 04:45 PM	#13
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	I wouldn't trust having a tank around all that beer. Something bad is going to happen...

08/29/2009, 04:49 PM	#14
scapes Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Millbrook, AL Posts: 2,520	i had a nice little goldfish tank in my apartment and my roomies got wasted and thought it would be cool to put palmolive in it. yeah, that was cool.

08/29/2009, 04:49 PM	#15
trexer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: PA Posts: 55	Good luck with your tank after a late night drinking with your friends. Dorms just are not that big but I wish you luck.