Page Three of I've Heard Aquariums are Soothing
The water was drained and the heavy, wet gravel was scooped into a tall, plastic trash basket. Damp towels hung over the edge of the tank. We sat on the sofa staring at the mess, feeling anything but soothed.
The third day into our project Mike located another friend (complete with truck). I drove ahead to Store #1 to begin explaining the returns as Mike and Bob loaded up. The tank was successfully swapped, but there wasn’t another 48" light fixture in stock. Well, we still needed to make a trip back to Store #2, so we could exchange it there.
That store didn’t have the light either, but Larry ordered one especially for us and thought it would arrive by Friday. He took care of our refund and promised if there was a problem with the replacement tank, he would personally come over and either reseal it or exchange it (using his own truck). Despite the problems, I don’t think I have ever encountered such wonderful customer service.
We returned home to face the next task. Mike and Bob placed the new aquarium outside on the patio. We weren’t feeling very confident about putting that much water in our living room again without a trial run first. The tank was filled to the brim and we waited. After several hours passed without a single droplet escaping, the water was siphoned back out. My rose bushes thoroughly enjoyed this stage of the process.
Mike opened up our address book and phoned the next friend on his list, asking (drafting?) Chris to drop by after work and help carry the tank into the house. I suspect ugly rumors had many friends screening their phone calls to avoid any further pleas for help.
The tank was refilled, 75-pounds of gravel added, and plants were arranged. We sat in front of our lifeless, dark aquarium and listened to the filtration system. Throughout the evening we checked for leaks. Even after retiring to bed, Mike got up with the flashlight three times to look for water where it shouldn’t be.
The sun rose, our carpet was dry and we felt like breathing a small sigh of relief. We made the rounds of a couple more pet stores in the area and returned home with additional plants and ornaments, a heater, and six little gold fish to condition the environment. The light fixture arrived on Friday, as promised.
It took six days from start to finish, but on the seventh day … we rested. We watched our fish explore their home under the fluorescent glow from above and listened to the calming sound of bubbles. My husband and I browsed through the books we purchased, discussing the types of tropical fish that would live together peacefully.
"Have you calculated how much this all cost per ten-cent goldfish we have in there?" I mused during a lull in conversation.
Mike looked over at me sideways and didn’t utter a word. Okay, so we haven’t quite reached that anticipated level of relaxation yet, but I’m sure we will soon. Maybe after we spackle the sheet-rock and paint the living room.
Return to Page One of I've Heard Aquariums are Soothing<<
Roberta McReynolds retired after an 18 year career in the commercial printing industry. She particularly enjoys activities involving children, the elderly, and cancer patients & survivors, who impart new perspectives on life. Gardening, art and volunteer service fill the hours and serve to fuel her life-long passion for writing. Rediscovering the world through the eyes of her inner child keeps her imagination fresh.
Roberta welcomes your comments: bertographer@charter.net
