Do you teach your kids to reef?

[ScottR]

I have two boys that are 3 and almost 8. I never intended to teach them about reefing. However, they took a liking to my tanks. I’ve had several over the years; so they grew up with salt. Also, living close to the ocean has helped pique their interest.

From early on, they were interested in taxonomy and knowing the names of the fish, corals and other inverts. They’ve become pretty sharp in noticing what happens in the tank. My oldest boy even knows the exact time my wrasse likes to bury himself in the sand. I’ll occasionally get calls at work about what’s happening in my tank and I almost feel like I have some human aquarium controllers on standby. I think saltwater aquariums are a great way to get children interested in marine animals and conservation.

Share your stories about your children and reefing/fish keeping.

 

[Funston07]

My son is only 3 going on 4 but I built the stand so the tank was easily viewable for him. I didnt think he would take to it like he has but he loves it. He knows the names of all the fish and where they like to hide if they aren't out in the open. He can usually spot the BTA faster than I can. He loves it when we get something new in and I let him put it in the tank.

 

[esther]

Our kids (the four legged kind) love the fishtank. Don't really know how much they absorb from what we tell them, but oh well.

 

[Jon Fishman]

My kids have zero interest

 

[Ravsta]

Everyone loves looking at the aquarium but nobody taking a practical interest. This is witnessed during water changes and tank maintenance, I’m always alone!!! I’m just glad they enjoy watching it. That’s enough for me.

 

[kenchilada]

Building mine now and all four kids are really into the idea of it. I think bringing them to the LFS helps and I buy books and magazines for them to look through. Also watch YouTube with them, or I’ll let them read reef2reef.

I have 130 pounds of Tampa Bay Saltwater live rock coming and they’re very excited about that! They want to see what critters come on it.

 

[Jon Fishman]

Everyone loves looking at the aquarium but nobody taking a practical interest. This is witnessed during water changes and tank maintenance, I’m always alone!!! I’m just glad they enjoy watching it. That’s enough for me.

My kids actually made fun of me as I prepped the 80 gallon water change I did Friday

 

[Dark_Knightt]

Im 15yo but i definetly intend on teaching my kids about reefing, corals, marine fish and inverts. Through that I would teach them ocean conservation. If my kids really liked my reef tanks, I would first let them get a small freshwater tank to teach them about chemistry and maintenance. Then, maybe at the age of 11 or 12, I'd let them get a small tank, maybe 13.5 or 20g clownfish tank. Maybe even damselfish tank. But everyone loves clowns so thatll probably be it lol. Then if I see that they are able to fully take care of the tank and do the maintenance, I'd start them off with some easy corals. Or hopefully I will have 2 or 3 kids that love reefs, and I'd get one big tank for them all to share, pick out livestock, and share the maintenance.
We'll see what the future holds (hopefully this future its kinda one of my dreams)

 

[Clownfish_Boy]

I do not have any kids which are teachable, but my autistic son sees me putting food, etc into the tank, then tries to imitate me by dumping a bowl of potato chips into the tank - made one huge mess ! Had to take the tank down and send the fish back to my LFS....

 

[ScottR]

I do not have any kids which are teachable, but my autistic son sees me putting food, etc into the tank, then tries to imitate me by dumping a bowl of potato chips into the tank - made one huge mess ! Had to take the tank down and send the fish back to my LFS....

I find toys in my sump from time to time and drawings on my cabinet. No potato chips yet...

 

[G Santana]

The little redhead in my profile pic is my daughter and she is 8. She is having a blast learning how to put a system together as I rebuild mine and she has taken to YouTube to learn a ton on her own.
I can't wait till the first fish goes in the tank.
Just like dad, she wants a purple tang.

 

[Squeaky McMurdo]

My oldest daughter is the reason my tank survived me being laid up for 4 months after a horse wreck. She was 10 at the time and did all the feeding, testing, and cleaning. There was an algae outbreak but everything lived. She’s 12 now

It’s my boys’ (6 & 8) job to top off the tank now.

 

[4tanks]

I try to get my kids interest more for the fact that that they know not to scare fish or put anything in the tank etc so they know the bad things that can effect the inhabitants