Waiting Room Blues

[Dr. Bigalow]

Would an aquarium help pass the time while waiting in the "waiting room" of your Dentist or Doctor? If yes, please elaborate as to why and how it would help.

Thank you for your valuable feedback!

[Thunderbird+]

Yes, I think so Dr, I've read that watching fish not only helps pass the time but also has a calming effect and in hospitals its said to speed up recovery.

[Lonnie]

Exactly ae Tbird says, I used to have three tanks, and the effect is so calming and interesting, )had to say goodbye to them due to pesonal circumstances), mind you, you have to go over to the tank to watch the fish.

[~Wingnut~]

Hi!
Yes I think it helps too. My husband is a renal transplant patient and when he was really poorly the renal clinic he attends has a massive marine fishtank that has been kindly donated. I helped keep his mind off of inpending things by talking about the different fish in the tank as he has always been fascinated by them plus you can kind of get mesmerised when watching them, helped keep me calm too :o)
I think if we had just sat there with the telly on, not talking & worrying it would have been hell and time would certainly have dragged!

[wolf63]

my doctor's surgery has a big tank and it is good to sit and watch them all swimming around.

If you buy one of those tanks that basically care for its self then you don't have much upkeep either.

Good luck.

[Carakeel]

Yes certainly, as long as it is big enough, is kept clean at all times and has a few really nice fish and perhaps a few plants and rocks in it. My doctor's surgery has one and it is enjoyed not only by the children, who love watching the long tailed gold fish, but by many of the other patients as well. It is relaxing to watch and helps to make the waiting more enjoyable. Whenever they need to replace a fish that has died or when they add a new one, the surgery has a competition among the visiting patients to give the fish a name. Whoever has the winning name gets a little box of chocolates. Everyone enjoys this aquarium as it creates a lovely calm balanced waiting room.

[eyeshade]

Also, Dr. Big, an aquarium is good feng shui. Ensuring it is placed in the right place, it is supposed to bring good fortune as well!

[Ed Strong]

Yes. Fish are known to have a calming effect and it helps parents calm fractious (or in the case of the dentist, frightened) children by diverting their attention ie "Look at the pretty fish, can you see the blue one?" Mind you, if it was my doctor's/dentist's practice the fish tank would have to be out of the reach of the 'orrible, unsupervised kids we get!

[eyeshade]

I agree Ed, they stick chewing gum and sweeties in the tank, orrible lot, it would have to have a top on it with anti children zapper on it!!!!

[Alibobs]

My local GP's surgery has just started playing music, Magic FM which i quite like. When I was in there last they played "Just died in your arms tonight" by the Cutting Crew, not the best choice.

I think fish are good, they are relaxing and you have the choice to watch them or not, unlike a TV blaring

[Kozmic Blues]

I would love my local GP or Hospital to get a aquarium, as I am a regular visitor to hospital and they don't have one. All they have in the GPs is a TV which is never on and a radio that is constantly playing country and western(boring). I have thought about changing the station on considerable amounts of time.

I have a keen interest in fish keeping. I have been keeping fish for over 12 years, goldfish and tropical. I find them very relaxing to watch.

Some people can get very stressed before seeing a doctor. I would highly recommended investing in a tank. Small or big, although bigger is better!

I have bought a canister filter for my 280 liter tank, they are probably the best way to keep the water clean and chemically balanced. You will also need a biological supplement to consume ammonia and nitrate levels, which will help to prevent fish from dying.