Keeping up with kid and tank

[coralosity351]

So ive had my tank for about 8-9 months now and i have a kid on the way in January. Now obviously im a little more worried about my kid on the way however i really want my kid to grow up around the hobby and would like to know the best way to prepare for the likely slight lack of maintenance the tank will recieve when my child is born. Any suggestions would help.

 

[CarrieB]

How big is the tank and what kind of setup? Any auxiliary equipment- dosers, GFO, etc.?

 

[pdt7361]

The biggest thing is finding what all you can automate...lighting schedules, ATO, feeding, etc. I have 5 kids and there are plenty of times that my baby wants to be held when I want to do some work on my tank...but then there are always nap times and bed time

 

[coralosity351]

The biggest thing is finding what all you can automate...lighting schedules, ATO, feeding, etc. I have 5 kids and there are plenty of times that my baby wants to be held when I want to do some work on my tank...but then there are always nap times and bed time

Thanks that sounds like a plan

 

[KliJefs]

The scariest part of children (I have a 3 yo and 1 yo) is hard objects being inaccurately thrown around. Makes my heart stop.

 

[CarrieB]

A good cover for the tank and baby proofing stand doors is important.

 

[coralosity351]

A good cover for the tank and baby proofing stand doors is important.

Baby proofing the doors i intend to do but i have a rimless how do i put a cover on it?

 

[CarrieB]

A good question. Hopefully someone will have a suggestion.

Obviously not critical for a while, but I know my 2 year old grandson always wants to put things in the tank. Seems like an inherent kid thing.

 

[seastar]

+1 one to child proofing. I added a magnet style cabinet lock (the same one's I used in the kitchen) to mine. My son is two now and was raised around our tank and he LOVES it. The highlight of his weekend is going to the fish store with his dad, so you can definitely do it and you can definitely get them just as excited about that hobby as you are! I have my setup nearly as automated as you can get it and I do my maintenance after the kiddies have gone to bed. It actually helps me wind down from the day as well.

 

[BummersReef]

You might be surprised at amount of "maintenance" time you will have - little one will have you up in the middle of the night - pop him or her in swing, put it by the tank - will love the lights and colors!!!! And it will make him/her happy as a clam

 

[SeaDweller]

I have a 13 day old newborn and so far everything is great! I get to keep my tank, it's on cruise control and I couldn't be happier with the little gem my wife and I have now!

For the longest time I was against automation, they're potential points of failure so why add them? But I am happy I added a Ca Reactor instead of my doser (having to mix up 2 gallons of each part of 2 part every couple weeks isn't fun) and finally added an ATO. I should have done those two things years ago.

Now I get to sit back and enjoy and the tank is a free baby sitter as my little girl loves staring at it!

It's doable, but don't ever lose sight of the tank; I still test religiously every week (mainly Alk though).

You still got some time buddy!!!!

 

[Mike in CT]

Definitely cover the tank with screen or something, and definitely lock up the sump.
It's like a water park to the kids! Lol.
On the bright side, I find when kids grow up with a tank, they get so used to it, they mostly ignore it.

 

[fab]

AWC and ATO, skimmer and calcium reactor.

 

[coralosity351]

Quick question i don't have a controller however i have a programmable power strip i have two powerheads in the tank one on each end would 12 hours on each end a day be good? I have the flow from the return as well just wanted to see if the alternating would have any effect. Currently they both stay on all day just looking to try something new

 

[Broadfield]

As far as baby/kid proofing everything, I think it depends on your kids and how they are maybe raised. My children have always had a tremendous respect for our house and others. They always ask before they open something. Heck, my 6 year old still asks permission to go to the bathroom... in our own house! I never had to put locks on any cabinets in the house, with either one of my children, when they were toddlers. Maybe I just always had enough toys to keep them interested and out of cabinets... who knows. They are also VERY respectful when they go to other people's houses. They wouldn't dare get into anything without asking. Some of my friends bring their kids over to my house and it's like they are wild animals. Maybe I got lucky, maybe it's because I have girls, maybe it's my stellar parenting skillseek.... I don't know. I'm not a total hard-butt to my kids either. I just make sure they know what is right and wrong in my opinion. And one of the big things on my list is respect to property and picking up after themselves.

 

[SandJ]

I am a homeschooling mom to 3 kids (14, 13 and 5). The two oldest are exactly like your children Broadfield. Then I had the youngest, raised in the same way, but is NOTHING like the other two. My friends like to tease me that I finally got a normal child lol
So I think it will really come down to your child's personality. But you will also have to consider all the playmates that will be at your house (who may be like my 5 year old lol).

Also, there is the fun stage between infant and toddler that I had forgotten about. The stage where anything between the floor and countertop is fair game and will probably end up broken/spilled/swallowed/etc....just because they are curious and exploring.

Then they turn into toddlers and that can go one of two ways. You will, either have the kid that writes on everything but paper, throws stuff in the toilet, climbs on the countertops, and anything else you can think of....or the well behaved kid lol

As far as baby/kid proofing everything, I think it depends on your kids and how they are maybe raised. My children have always had a tremendous respect for our house and others. They always ask before they open something. Heck, my 6 year old still asks permission to go to the bathroom... in our own house! I never had to put locks on any cabinets in the house, with either one of my children, when they were toddlers. Maybe I just always had enough toys to keep them interested and out of cabinets... who knows. They are also VERY respectful when they go to other people's houses. They wouldn't dare get into anything without asking. Some of my friends bring their kids over to my house and it's like they are wild animals. Maybe I got lucky, maybe it's because I have girls, maybe it's my stellar parenting skillseek.... I don't know. I'm not a total hard-*** to my kids either. I just make sure they know what is right and wrong in my opinion. And one of the big things on my list is respect to property and picking up after themselves.

 

[Broadfield]

My friends like to tease me that I finally got a normal child lol

LOL, that's awesome!

 

[dmh41532]

Ive got a nine month old, with two saltwater tanks and one fresh. Once baby proofed(which was a task). We dont have issues, allbthe tanks are up and sumps are in cabinets. I recommend going automatic with as much as possible, for me and my work schedule, maintainence has become a burden.

 

[BummersReef]

Just ya'all wait till they become teens ... That is when it gets scary!