At 9 years old we got our first Guppy tank. It was huge to me and we had over 20 in one tank, I think it was a 10 gallon one. Well my sister was the caretaker of it and I couldn't "touch" it for fear of losing my life. I could look at it, but not too close to scare the fish. So this went on for awhile until they had babies. Man what a PITA that was. We had to get an outside birthing tank, you know the ones where the pregnant fish was in the top and had a wedge shape inside so the fry could go down to the bottom with out being eaten. well this lasted for about a month, changing fish out (they spawned a lot) and eventually we had to sell the fry to someone or let them be eaten. Believe it or not, we used to catch the fry and put them in plastic bags and freeze them, then use them for food. That was the mentality back in the late 60's early 70's. After the guppy craze (they all died) we moved onto hamsters (used the same tank for them), and that sprouted many other "pets" to watch and then eventually when the interest died along with the hamsters, we moved onto rabbits. Again that was my older sisters doing and I felt it was cool, so long as I could play with them. NOT!!! Don't touch MY rabbits!! Ok so when the coyotes came in the night and got them, we were left with the cat. I did find a turtle I kept for awhile, but he "ran" off never to be seen again.( our reputation of keeping pets alive got around quick)! So what else was left you ask? Nothing for me, so I talked Mom into letting me get my own fish since we already had a tank it wouldn't cost anything except for the fish right?? Wrong! Guppies didn't need a heater, big filter, or decorations. But the new fish needed all that and more. Seems the LFS trip to just buy fish turned out to be quite an ordeal.Don't remember what kind I got but, I Killed those suckers in two days. Water conditioner would have been great to know about as well. So after setting up the tank, new fish included, I was off onto an exciting game of fish ownership. I have had many tanks over the years now and have always enjoyed them. Money and interests change over the years, but I always go back to being an owner of a fish tank or two. I have three tanks now and plan on adding another when my Balas and Silver Dollars get bigger