Children and reef aquariums

[AeldariDrukhari]

I just want to preface by saying, I am looking for people's thoughts and general research on the topic. The main reason I would like some input is I have a two year old running around the house and every minute feels like a hospital visit waiting to happen. My question is what are people's thoughts on the spectrum of lighting specific to LEDs and what is it's direct affect on children especially infants/toddlers? Also I do not have a canopy on my tank. Before someone says get a canopy, alot of the AIO tanks are not geared for a canopy.

 

[Roosterjack]

Designed to mimic the tropical sun in the case of main lights. Refugium lights are usually just a spectrum that macroalgae require but stronger.


Short answer, harmless in any dose short of hours and hours.

 

[howme127]

I just want to preface by saying, I am looking for people's thoughts and general research on the topic. The main reason I would like some input is I have a two year old running around the house and every minute feels like a hospital visit waiting to happen. My question is what are people's thoughts on the spectrum of lighting specific to LEDs and what is it's direct affect on children especially infants/toddlers? Also I do not have a canopy on my tank. Before someone says get a canopy, alot of the AIO tanks are not geared for a canopy.

I fell you, being a parent of a 4 year old. You think it gets better, I mean it does, but you just end up worrying about other areas of your kid.

The lights are bright and in general younger than 2 (don’t quote me on that one) should not be exposed to blue light if possible. Now this in reference to screens and long time use and starring at them.

Does the tank have to be where your kid is most of the time? Is there a way you can put temp “blinders” on the light so to minimize the light bleed?

Honestly, now, I wouldn’t worry too much. I’d just limit how much your kid is looking at the light. But this is just my opinion.

 

[Hugh Mann]

Shouldn't be an issue unless the lights have a high UV output.

Would highly recommend figuring something out to keep the kids out of the tank. Have read more than one thread about children nuking tanks by various means.

 

[Devin_Tesla]

I'm going to fallow this discussion we have are first is due any day now.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Is your kid planning on staring at the light for extended periods? If yes, ditch the tank and keep the kid indoors due to sunlight.. If no, you'll be fine!

Fwiw I've raised 2 kids around reef tanks. They are too busy harassing Nemo to care about the lights!

 

[AeldariDrukhari]

Designed to mimic the tropical sun in the case of main lights. Refugium lights are usually just a spectrum that macroalgae require but stronger.


Short answer, harmless in any dose short of hours and hours.

Good point. He is only interested when I'm working on the tank or feeding the fish/corals.

 

[AeldariDrukhari]

Shouldn't be an issue unless the lights have a high UV output.

Would highly recommend figuring something out to keep the kids out of the tank. Have read more than one thread about children nuking tanks by various means.

I'm using the radion XR30 pro gen 2. I do not believe it came with UV output until gen 3. I am not so much afraid of him nuking the tank. My tanks an AIO with no sump. But I try to be mindful anything is possible.

 

[AeldariDrukhari]

Is your kid planning on staring at the light for extended periods? If yes, ditch the tank and keep the kid indoors due to sunlight.. If no, you'll be fine!

Fwiw I've raised 2 kids around reef tanks. They are too busy harassing Nemo to care about the lights!

Hahahaha great point, my tank is in the living room which he spends a good portion of the day, but he is only interested in the fish and usually when I am messing around with the tank. Truth is my wife thinks every little thing is going to harm him.

 

[flampton]

A diffuser on the light will also limit the laser beam/disco effect and make it more comfortable to view

 

[AeldariDrukhari]

I fell you, being a parent of a 4 year old. You think it gets better, I mean it does, but you just end up worrying about other areas of your kid.

The lights are bright and in general younger than 2 (don’t quote me on that one) should not be exposed to blue light if possible. Now this in reference to screens and long time use and starring at them.

Does the tank have to be where your kid is most of the time? Is there a way you can put temp “blinders” on the light so to minimize the light bleed?

Honestly, now, I wouldn’t worry too much. I’d just limit how much your kid is looking at the light. But this is just my opinion.

The light is a radion and it's on that RMS mount. Also my tank is the IM 25 lagoon, so not alot of space for blinders. I have a diffuser on it but that does block the light. Honestly it's good to hear other parents stories. He isn't not all that interested unless I'm working on it.

 

[AeldariDrukhari]

A diffuser on the light will also limit the laser beam/disco effect and make it more comfortable to view

Yes I have the diffuser on it. I did however just get the reefbrite XHO 30 which I need the dimmer for, extremely bright. I will be leaving that off until the dimmer is back in stock.

 

[howme127]

The light is a radion and it's on that RMS mount. Also my tank is the IM 25 lagoon, so not alot of space for blinders. I have a diffuser on it but that does block the light. Honestly it's good to hear other parents stories. He isn't not all that interested unless I'm working on it.

I think you’ll be fine and totally ok to explore and ask, it’s being a good parent. I still find myself yelling “don’t do that!!” and then quickly realizing I might be the one making a big deal about it. But I don’t think you are making a big deal about it here, just asking a bunch of knowledgeable people. Which is the same reason I come here. The people here are awesome.

 

[Roosterjack]

The most important thing is to ensure test kits, additives, etc. are kept out of reach. This goes double if he sees you doing tests that make “pretty colors”.