I used to be active on this forum about 12-13 years ago. Back then, I had 11 fish tanks, ranging in size from 5-55 gallons. I had freshwater- everything from goldfish to cichlids to lots of tetras and livebearers- almost everything you could put in a freshwater tank and buy at the local pet store, I had.
Then my hands started to hurt really bad, and I began to feel tired, and the pain just got worse, and finally, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis on my 35th birthday. The pain just got too bad, I couldn't take care of the tanks anymore. Couldn't clean them. The fish started dying, and I realized I had to give them up.
I found new homes for all my fish and gave away my tanks. I kept some of the filters and heaters, and a few of the stands. In the hope that somehow, even though RA doesn't have a cure, I'd be able to have a tank again.
Since then, I've had a few bettas in 3-gallon tanks, but even those were hard to care for. I don't even have one of those now. I have difficulty using my hands and I now use a wheelchair, though I get around a bit with a walker when I'm home in my apartment.
Sorry if I'm whining. I really am getting to a point.
Are there any people who take care of fish tanks and clean them, who you can hire? Does anyone know if there are people you can hire to take care of fish tanks? All those doctor's offices and restaurants that have tanks- does someone who's employed there clean them, or are there people who come in and do it? It would have to be someone who knows what they are doing. I wouldn't want to hire someone off craigslist.
Does anyone know if there are services like that, and has anyone ever used them? Or know how to go about finding one?
Also, does anyone have any other ideas about how I could still have a fish tank? I miss them so much. Even just one would be great.
I haven't been on this forum in over 10 years, I was a little surprised it was still here. But let me know if anyone has any advice.
Then my hands started to hurt really bad, and I began to feel tired, and the pain just got worse, and finally, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis on my 35th birthday. The pain just got too bad, I couldn't take care of the tanks anymore. Couldn't clean them. The fish started dying, and I realized I had to give them up.
I found new homes for all my fish and gave away my tanks. I kept some of the filters and heaters, and a few of the stands. In the hope that somehow, even though RA doesn't have a cure, I'd be able to have a tank again.
Since then, I've had a few bettas in 3-gallon tanks, but even those were hard to care for. I don't even have one of those now. I have difficulty using my hands and I now use a wheelchair, though I get around a bit with a walker when I'm home in my apartment.
Sorry if I'm whining. I really am getting to a point.
Are there any people who take care of fish tanks and clean them, who you can hire? Does anyone know if there are people you can hire to take care of fish tanks? All those doctor's offices and restaurants that have tanks- does someone who's employed there clean them, or are there people who come in and do it? It would have to be someone who knows what they are doing. I wouldn't want to hire someone off craigslist.
Does anyone know if there are services like that, and has anyone ever used them? Or know how to go about finding one?
Also, does anyone have any other ideas about how I could still have a fish tank? I miss them so much. Even just one would be great.
I haven't been on this forum in over 10 years, I was a little surprised it was still here. But let me know if anyone has any advice.