Finding Nemo

[dancedancekj]

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People comment when they find out I'm going into dentistry and that I also like keeping aquariums "Oh, that's perfect for you. It'll be like Finding Nemo." 🙄

I was just curious if anyone else on here is into aquariums, fishkeeping and the sort? Currently have one twenty gallon, one ten gallon, and one five gallon in a tiny dorm room, all freshwater planted.

 

[aphistis]

Yup. I've got a 55 gallon freshwater tank here at home. It's not the most exciting setup, but I like it.

Once I get into practice, I have every intention of setting up a good 400-gallon saltwater tank for the waiting room (there's actually literature supporting the use of aquaria as patient relaxation tools) and writing it all off as business expenses. 👍 😉 😀

 

[pmantz]

I am so excited to splurge on a large saltwater tank. I feel it would be a pleasure to have and a great means of marketing your practice. People, and kids will always want to go back to the dentist with the awsome fish tank. I don't own any fish right now but can see myself getting carried away with the whole thing.

 

[UtahDad]

I like fish, but am hoping to find a great place to leave them when I leave for dental school. The choice really came down to taking my fish or my boys. My wife insisted that we take our boys.

 

[Flyingdentist]

How much would it cost to set up and maintain that size of a fish tank in an office? I have some experience with fish but it's minimal (ie, they were my room mates, she took care of them, I watched and stared at the fish to pass the time).

 

[Flyingdentist]

How much would it cost to set up and maintain that size of a fish tank in an office? I have some experience with fish but it's minimal (ie, they were my room mates, she took care of them, I watched and stared at the fish to pass the time).

 

[t man]

i think i'd want a couple of tanks- one with some bad-ass freshwater fish like an arawana, and some oscars and other good aggro fish like that, and then another with a working mini reef. reef tanks make the most beautiful tanks, methinks. there's just something for everyone in a reef habitat.

 

[aphistis]

How much would it cost to set up and maintain that size of a fish tank in an office? I have some experience with fish but it's minimal (ie, they were my room mates, she took care of them, I watched and stared at the fish to pass the time).

A fair amount. Freshwater tanks are less expensive to set up & easy to maintain, but freshwater tropical fish are significantly less colorful & exotic than saltwater species. Marine (salt water) tanks are where you find the most bright, colorful, fun-to-watch species, but they're much more expensive and significantly more difficult to properly maintain.

If you're just starting out, the best way is to visit a pet shop, talk to a couple people to get an idea of what it will cost to set up an aquarium of a given size, and then start with as big a freshwater tank as you can reasonably afford (I'd recommend at least 30 gallons). Bigger tanks give you more leeway for mistakes in the early going (more water to dissolve fish waste & other pollutants = less harm to fish), and a bigger tank means room to stock it with more fish. It takes a little more work at the beginning while the aquarium's ecosystem is establishing itself, but after 6-8 weeks a properly stocked freshwater tank will pretty much take care of itself. All you have to do is vacuum the bottom and change out some water a couple times a month (takes all of 20 minutes).

Sorry for the nerd rant. Hope this helps some. 😉

 

[Flyingdentist]

It does alot. Thanks for the input.

 

[dancedancekj]

I want one of these 😀

 

[I'mFillingFine]

I like fish, but am hoping to find a great place to leave them when I leave for dental school. The choice really came down to taking my fish or my boys. My wife insisted that we take our boys.

eeesh, where are your priorities???

 

[SuperTrooper]

a fish tank in a dental office is such a cliché

i'm gonna fill my office with expensive artwork - at least it'll appreciate in value

 

[dancedancekj]

 

[Blitzdt]

a fish tank in a dental office is such a cliché

i'm gonna fill my office with expensive artwork - at least it'll appreciate in value

well...it might not be as bad if you use the fish that you can make sushi out of them when they get older.

 

[QuackDentist]

I used to have a hermit crab... he lived in a carry-on clear case.

 

[AlphaQUp]

My father has a 380 gallon tank and a 260 gallon tank. These things are monstrous. I always joke with him that he needs scuba gear just to clean it.

 

[I'mFillingFine]

holy crap, dancedancekj!!! Amazing! 👍 👍

I recognize the screen saver on the computer....Marine Aquarium 😀 😀 I have it myself...very calming!