So stressed out!! It's all going wrong!!

[themusician]

Talk about bad timing times 10. I love my fish tank, but it's causing me quite a bit of grief right now....

1. We are going out of town for several weeks to visit relatives for Christmas. Some time ago a friend said she could watch my fishies, but that seems to be falling through. On a non-fishy related front, I lost my usual hamster sitter as well.

2. My fish are still on again/off again sick. Some days they look perky and happy, and other days they look terrible. Today I finally lost a peppered cory...they've all been looking sad for at least a week or two.

3. I'm treating for internal parasites, but the treatment needs to go on for the next four weeks, and I'll be out of town for half that time.

4. If they were all looking healthy and spunky, I'd set up my automatic feeder and just hope for the best, but with things the way they are now, I'm fairly sure I would get a dead fish who would create an ammonia spike and kill off the whole tank.

5. In addition, because I've been spending all my time worrying about sick fish, I let my CO2 and fertilization schedule go all to heck. I had a mild case of black brush algae, but today it quite literally exploded all over my tank.

6. I've considered hiring a pet sitter, and it's not totally out of the question, but my SO is rather uncomfortable with the idea of inviting a stranger into our house while we are away. I've never had trouble finding friends to do it before, but this year it's becoming a problem.

If I weren't going out of town, I could take the time necessary to get on top of all this, but I don't see that happening until we get back, and who knows what will have happened by then. I'm not sure there's any answers that I haven't already considered, but thanks for letting me vent my frustrations anyway.

[OscarFan]

You could put some Ammo-Carbs in the tank before you leave. So if a fish does die the ammonia wont get out of control.:1:

[Lady Hobbs]

I believe having fish does not allow for "leaving for several weeks" without someone to care for them just as it would if you had a dog, cat, horse or cow. They are a breathing, living thing that depends on you for their life.

Not everyone is cut out to make the sacrifices that comes with having fish. It doesn't make you bad, you know. This just might not be the right hobby for you.

[Lady Hobbs]

You could put some Ammo-Carbs in the tank before you leave. So if a fish does die the ammonia wont get out of control.:1:


OH OH. Are you aware that we already have a member by the name cichlidman? It takes points to change your user name but I will do it for you if you wish to lower confusion.

[themusician]

I believe having fish does not allow for "leaving for several weeks" without someone to care for them just as it would if you had a dog, cat, horse or cow. They are a breathing, living thing that depends on you for their life.

Not everyone is cut out to make the sacrifices that comes with having fish. It doesn't make you bad, you know. This just might not be the right hobby for you.

Um, what do you mean by sacrifices? I'm going home to see my parents who I only see once a year. I'm not sacrificing that.

I only mentioned the leaving them alone thing as a last resort. I thought I had already demonstrated here that I care for my fish just as much as any other pet. I believe it was even you who told me not to get too worked up about one of my sick and dying cories because it was a $2 fish that I could easily replace.

I'm sorry if I gave a wrong impression and I know I'm coming off as rather defensive here, so I apologize for that too. It's just that I get offended when people question my compassion for living creatures. That's why I titled this "so stressed out." I thought I had plans for the care of my critters while I was away and not only is it all falling through, but now they're getting sick and need extra attention on top of it.

[markbob]

Wow Lady, kinda harsh. Musician, maybe one of your LFS has a service that could help you with that. Typically if they offer that service, you can meet the person who will be taking care of you critters before you agree to use the service.

[gem]

If you look for a reputable pet siting business, they are usually bonded and insured, just like housekeeping services are. I know the majority of the ones here are anyway. Maybe that aspect would make your SO more comfortable about letting a stranger come to take care of your fish/pets. If you're going away for that long a period of time, I wouldn't leave the tank without someone to care for it. Also, some lfs offer aquarium maintenance services which often include dealing with and treatment of sick fish. They test water and do water changes. I know there are at least two tank maintenance services in my area. Something to look into. Alot of them deal mostly with marine tanks, but often have some freshwater tanks on their regular schedule. You may be able to talk them into, not only caring for your fish while you're away, but helping with the current issues you're having with the health of your fish.
I hope you find a solution for this. If it ends up you have to leave without someone to care for the fish for the few weeks, it may be in you fish's best interest if you catch them all up and take the to your lfs, then start over when you get back. That would be a last resort. I, personally, would contact either an aquarium maintenance service or reputable pet sitter.
Good luck. :c5:

[Lady Hobbs]

musician, I didn't mean to sound harsh but I have to admit I was somewhat taken back by your mention of leaving them for several weeks.

You have had a terrible struggle trying to keep those fish alive and well and I certainly know you care about them or wouldn't worry so about them.

I agree with gem that probably the best solution would be to see if the fish store will take them back and when you return all refreshed, can start all over again with a newly cycled tank and get healthy fish and give it another go.

There's only so much you can do for a bunch of ill fish. You can treat for one thing but it might be another problem. And medications may help one fish but be detrimental in the health of another.

Sometimes it's just better to sit back, re-group and give it another go at another date.

With all the problems you've had and continue to have, a whole new start might be what's needed.

[Incredulous_Ed]

I understand your stress musician. Everything I do seems to go wrong with my fish, and even my life.

You can stop internal parasite treatment while you're gone and restart when you come back. Do a large water change before you go. Make sure the heater and filter are running fine, and start an automatic feeder to feed sparingly everyday, to aviode pollution.

Ask arund at your LFS' to see if they will board your fish. This is probably the best option, but maybe they won't take sick fish.

Or, you could sell the fish and completely restart the tank when you are less busy.

[kurly]

Sorry you are having such a hard time themusician. I really hope things get better for both you and your fish.

[cocoa_pleco]

you can always board them at a good LFS, thats what i was planning to do when i went to europe for a month, but noone had room for all of my fish and noone would take care of my saltwater fish.

i just got someone to come every few days that knew squat about fish and out of a month all i lost was a peacock and some mushroom corals, not good but it could have been worse