Putrid Pets

Our animated countertop decoration named Sonic

Emily inherited a fish tank from a friend several weeks ago and despite her parents aversion to pets of any kind, that got her brain spinning about getting a fish of her own. Having a fish is at the bottom of the sinful pets one could have in the home so we allowed it and she got a beta as a birthday gift. Since then, we've had an awful time trying to figure out how to keep the thing going. Reportedly betas are the lowest maintenance fish you can have. You but them in some fresh water, feed them every now and then and boom... instant animated home or office decoration. But unlike other decorations, this one rots after 3-4 days. The water starts to thicken and get foggy and if left for a week, some viscous layer of filth accumulates on the surface of the "water" and the fish food gets clogged up there.

What have we gotten ourselves into?!

We're tried sunlight, darkness, covered tank, uncovered tank, water treatment chemicals, and smaller tanks. Nothing has solved this filth problem. So now, Emily is saving her money to be a new fish tank with a filter to see if that helps. The problem is, she's thinking of going bigger so she can get more fish. Ethan's hopping on the bandwagon too. He'd like to get a fish of his own in the tank.

Before you know it we'll have llamas in the backyard.