A question for aquarium aficionados

[Not Heidi]

If you've been reading my stuff lately, you know my mental health is ruling me in a most unpleasant way. I'll elaborate if you need to get caught up.

Before I began the ECT sessions earlier this year, I got a new aquarium. To my shame, I have not been able to keep up with taking care of it. I have three fish and no plants or decorations. Who knows what the existence of a captive fish is like, but when you don't even have any plants, well, I imagine sheer boredom & misery.

I'm asking if anyone knows of:

A service that will do all the upkeep of a small aquarium (20 gallons), including water changes, planting, etc.

-or-

Some kind of organization that will take my fish and find them a good home.

Weird? Maybe. But that's where I am these days.

Please let me know if you can think of anything that might help me. Thank you.

[Tanuki]

1. Here are some ideas

I googled "fish rehoming" and found a link with several ideas. A school or senior living residence might be interested as well.

https://www.myaquariumclub.com/rehoming-your-fish-4042.html

[claudette]

2. Maybe

you could check with a pet store that sells aquarium fish and accessories. They may have employees who can assist you in the care of your pets. I love aquariums but they do require constant care. Best of luck. Angel fish are my favorite 😊

[scipan]

3. I have an aquarium

But it's just shrimp. That said, I hung out at a lot of aquarium forums when I was just getting into it and absorbed some stuff about fish. You can message me if you have any questions.

I also have lifelong depression, which my pills (after trying well over 15) have mostly taken care of. Anyway, I know what it's like not to have the energy to do anything and what a colossal chore everything is.

I can't tell if you would like to keep them. If not, I've read about many times people have sold/given their fish to local pet stores.

If so, well, I haven't vacuumed my 10 gallon tank for a couple months. You don't need to do everything perfectly and by the book. At least not if your tank is cycled and stable. Although fish do make more poop.

As for the empty tank, it would be easier to get some fake non-living things. You can always "graduate" to live plants later. A couple ideas:
Rocks with holes: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0918T21JL/ref=sspa_mw_detail_1
Fake plants:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B093HFTB1S/ref=sspa_mw_detail_5

[scipan]

4. The very basic things you need (and I've researched all of these

And they're very good):
Seachem Prime (neutralizes chlorine, chloramine, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia) for whenever you have a water problem or have to add something rinsed in tap water
https://www.amazon.com/Seachem-Prime-Fresh-Saltwater-Conditioner/dp/B00025694O/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_pp
API test kit
https://www.amazon.com/API-FRESHWATER-800-Test-Freshwater-Aquarium/dp/B000255NCI/ref=mp_s_a_1_3_pp
Extra filters
Vacuum tube (and a bucket)(I can't vouch for this one but they are simple things)
https://www.amazon.com/Aqueon-Medium-Siphon-Aquarium-Cleaner/dp/B004RK1WBK/ref=mp_s_a_1_3
Distilled water is very very good and eliminates any surprises in the tap water. You can buy at any grocery store. But you do need to up the kh and gh (minerals basically). If this is too much work, I used tap water for over a year.
https://www.amazon.com/SaltyShrimp-Shrimp-Mineral-GH-100g/dp/B06Y5RXML6/ref=mp_s_a_1_3_pp

[GuppyGal]

6. Don't kid yourself....shrimpin ain't easy

[scipan]

7. Yeah. Hope it didn't sound like I was recommending not changing

your water for 2 months, or using tap water.

Just that you don't have to be perfect.

You're right of course.

[GuppyGal]

5. I have 20 tanks I wish I could take your fish.

Where do you live I have fish friends all across the country, I am in New York.

A lightly stocked cycled 20 gallon you could do a 20-30% water change every other week.

People do have bare tanks but it is unnatural and can add to 'fish stress' which is a killer.
There is no shame in using plastic plants. You can use a ceramic mug as a cave or hide. You can use terra cotta pots as hides (just be careful with the drainage hole that no fish can get stuck in there) - there are plenty of cheap and even on hand options! (TEMU has cheap plastic plants, Amazon too)

You could always post on Facebook Marketplace or the local fish store should take them in.
My fish friends are always looking for deals on there.