Do yall have a plan?

[Fat Homer]

I’m liking the way this thread is going but I’m suprised no one has yet mentioned an automatic water changing system.

Even then you’d eventually have to clean out filters / debris etc depending on the type of tank and how long you’re out for...

For me, it would most likely be my wife that would help keep the tanks going, but as others have said, if it was that bad and for seriously long periods of time, then it maybe time to get out of the hobby...

However, because i know i’ll be leaving this town in a few years time i’ve already spoken to stores who would be willing to take my fish if i cant find local buyers...

 

[Steve_C]

I have "fishy friends" that I have made as being a part of my local cichlid club. If I ever got really sick where I couldn't do a WC or something then guys in the club would be here no problem. Last summer when I had a surgery for a hernia & twisted intestine some of the guys offered to help, I was only off my feet for about a week though so I didn't need it. Sure is nice to know they are there if I need them though. Great group of guys & gals in our club here

 

[fishhead0103666]

I should find a fish group :/

 

[tlindsey]

My plan is if I'm too sick to care for my fish call my friend isde02 . I know he will find the best lfs to take them to.

 

[twentyleagues]

Did ya ever see the movie Predator?
If im that sick the place just goes boom! MuhahaMuhaha.


Seriously though I've made it as simple as possible to maintain my system and I'm looking to prolong the time between water changes. For a wc unplug the main pump, plug in the waste pump, and turn on the water. Wait about 20 min and then reverse actions. Dont over flow the sump. I just added an ato also. Now filter socks need changing about every 4 days, easy enough. I still gravel vac about once a month.

 

[Steve_C]

I should find a fish group :/

I can't encourage people enough to find a local fish club. Not only in cases like help with tanks when sick, but every big tank I have ever owned I had help moving from guys in my club, the prices between club members are fantastic, and the friendship is great. I have some really good friends that I never would have meet if not for the club.

Plus there's things like auctions and fish room tours, finding a local club is something you will be happy you did.

 

[esoxlucius]

I'm lucky, so far. I rarely, if ever, get sick. As a result it's not the getting sick thing that worries me, it's the getting old bit that concerns me more. I imagine myself as an 80 or 90 year old man (if i'm lucky) and wonder how i'd cope with all aspects of the hobby. Especially if old age wasn't kind to me and I was riddled with arthitis, back problems or my mental health deteriorated.

I know we have a few older members here, in fact we have in our midst, possibly the oldest man on the planet in skjl47, who is rumoured to be 127 years old! So it's the age thing that i'd be interested in more than ill health.

 

[Go_redfish]

My hubby knows the basics and i also have fish savy friends he can call. My daughter would do the feedings because she knows what everyone gets, how much, and what days each fish gets certain foods.

2017, I had a really bad miscarriage (nearly lost us both kind of "bad") ...between physical recovery and mental I barely left a bed for about 3 months..

Hubby, Mat, Emma and a few others took good care of the fin babies during that time. Hubby even set up a 40 gallon next to the bed and put my 2 favorite goldies in there. He said "you won't get better if you can't be around what you love so much"

...I've got a good back up plan...

 

[Fat Homer]

I'm lucky, so far. I rarely, if ever, get sick. As a result it's not the getting sick thing that worries me, it's the getting old bit that concerns me more. I imagine myself as an 80 or 90 year old man (if i'm lucky) and wonder how i'd cope with all aspects of the hobby. Especially if old age wasn't kind to me and I was riddled with arthitis, back problems or my mental health deteriorated.

I know we have a few older members here, in fact we have in our midst, possibly the oldest man on the planet in skjl47, who is rumoured to be 127 years old! So it's the age thing that i'd be interested in more than ill health.

My dad when he quit the hobby left everything for me, so i guess family and / or friends is a good place to start...

 

[esoxlucius]

My dad when he quit the hobby left everything for me, so i guess family and / or friends is a good place to start...

I can just imagine trying to teach my lad about the hobby so he can take over from me some day. It'd go something like this......

Me....
"Right, Liam (my 14 year old), today son I want to talk to you about the nitrogen cycle".

Liam....
"What's that dad, is it one of them bikes like a BMX?

Me....
"No son, it's very very basic hobby related stuff that you need to understand in order to keep your fish alive. It involves bacteria called nitrosomnas and nitrobacter"

Liam.... (his eyes widen with interest)
"Oh dad, I know about that stuff, we're doing it in school at the minute, it blows stuff up, it's well cool".

Me.... (clenching my fists, my right eye twitching a little)
"No son, that would be nitroglycerin".

Liam....(a vacant look takes over his features)
"Oh ok dad, but that sounds boring, can't you teach me about that big fish you've got in the living room instead, you know that giant salami".

Me....(my temperature rising and my cheeks turning a deep shade of red)
"ARRGGGHHH, THAT IS A GIANT GOURAMI!!!!"

Liam....
"Can I go to my room now dad and play on my playstation, i'm exhausted after today's lesson".

And I could go on and on and on.