Babies, Toddlers And Everything Inbetween.

[The Taffy Apple]

Good morning all, hope this thread finds you all well and not snowed in anywhere (in the UK!)..

Now, Mrs Apple is due our first born in mid january and it has been on my mind recently as to how safe tanks and equipment are to babies, toddlers and small children.
I set up both tanks back either last year or at the beginning of the year, not having any clue that we were about to start our first family.

So... how do your children (particulary toddlers and crawlers) act around your tank/s ? Indeed, child behaviour and parent discipline is a big factor, but is there any real need for me to be feeling 'paranoid' about having a 120L tank and stand in the living room?

A friend has a 180L tank, had it for a couple of months before his little boy was born, and swears that due to the fact that the tank has always been there, it isn't a focus of interest for his little boy (who, at the age of 2, is a little terror ).

So any thoughts, hints, tips or tricks?

Regards,
A rather nervous Terry.

 

[Tizer]

our first is due in ...er...2 days time, one of the reasons for upgrading the tank is that the one i have now is far more child friendly, i picked up some cupboard locks from mothercare the other week and will fit them so the doors cant be opened without a magnet. Other than that, i cant see any other problems.

 

[the_lock_man]

Social Services told me that, apparently, it's frowned upon to use one's fish tank as a means to stop babies crying. I always thought that they were able to hold their breath......

 

[CrazyAirborne]

i have a 3 year old, and a 8 month old. I have a 200L tank which is probably the most exposed (ie. the little ones can get to it easily) to be honest, I have no issues. Sure my 8 month old loves to crawl over and grab things off the shelf, (baby friendly things) but its easy to watch her and make sure shes fine. When Im cleaning I like to put her in a high chair next to the tank, where her fingers can just barely touch it, and give her snacks to munch on to keep her occupied. She loves watching the fish and eating her puffs. Its usually a sure way to get her to stop crying as well. The bright lights and the movement has caught her eye for months now.

the 3 year old loves the fish and can even ID harlequins, corys, and rainbow cichlids in the LFS's we visit now. its really cool. Shes always under my feet when im doing anything with my 5 tanks, so its easy for me to explain to her whats happening or what im doing. She has her own tank that has lost most of her interest, but she still loves her fish and wants to help feed them every once and awhile. i put a couple flakes in her hand and let her put them in. its good fun.

and for some laughs. back when I first got the 200L

 

[Fintastic!]

Congrats Mr and Mrs Apple or your impending arrival! I find the worst stage with a tank or two in the house is the terrible two's. Nightmare tantrums! But in your case I'd imagine you'll be fine with your little addition as he/she will be well used to being around the tanks. Just make sure from day one he/she knows DO NOT TOUCH!!! Best of luck.

Oh and congrats to you too Tizer and good luck!

 

[creeker]

i have a 3 year old, and a 8 month old. I have a 200L tank which is probably the most exposed (ie. the little ones can get to it easily) to be honest, I have no issues. Sure my 8 month old loves to crawl over and grab things off the shelf, (baby friendly things) but its easy to watch her and make sure shes fine. When Im cleaning I like to put her in a high chair next to the tank, where her fingers can just barely touch it, and give her snacks to munch on to keep her occupied. She loves watching the fish and eating her puffs. Its usually a sure way to get her to stop crying as well. The bright lights and the movement has caught her eye for months now.

the 3 year old loves the fish and can even ID harlequins, corys, and rainbow cichlids in the LFS's we visit now. its really cool. Shes always under my feet when im doing anything with my 5 tanks, so its easy for me to explain to her whats happening or what im doing. She has her own tank that has lost most of her interest, but she still loves her fish and wants to help feed them every once and awhile. i put a couple flakes in her hand and let her put them in. its good fun.

and for some laughs. back when I first got the 200L

Crazy, your 200L is seriously overstocked as this specimen is clearly a juvenile.

 

[the_lock_man]

Now, how come you get away with it, Crazy? Or was there no water in yours?

 

[ian]

again, congrats!

I have a 4 year old and a 4 month old. The only problem i found when the 4 year old was younger, was he would go in the cupboard where my C02 and external was/is. I popped some string around the handles to stop him from getting in. Other than that he's been great around the tanks. I have taught him from a young age that banging on the glass and throwing things in the living room is a big no no.

you'll be fine!

 

[fluttermoth]

All three of my children grew up around the tanks, and I had no problems.

 

[Tizer]

Social Services told me that, apparently, it's frowned upon to use one's fish tank as a means to stop babies crying. I always thought that they were able to hold their breath......

 

[coldcazzie]

Agree with the other comments so far - if the kids grow up with the tank they know how to behave around it. It's only a big deal when other people's kids come round who don't have fish tanks that I have to say things like "the fish get scared when you bang on the glass: touching is ok, banging is not".

My youngest was born under the watchful eye of my pair of angels and absolutely loves the fish!

I've always had the tanks positioned so that chairs/sofas block at least one of the doors from opening (it makes maintenance more awkward, but stops the kids trying to eat fish food and mess with the test kits and unused decor/filter media); any cupboards that can't be blocked have child-proof catches on. The only thing I will say is don't leave your gravel vac (with siphon hose attached) dangling out of the tank where your newly crawling baby can reach it while you fetch the garden hose/bucket. I did, and she was very unimpressed at the quick succession of events: 1) mouthful of fishtank water, 2) impromptu shower and 3) mummy laughing at her hysterically.

Oh and, congrats to Mrs Apple and Mrs Tizer on the impending births

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I got the tank when my son was four. No problems. He learned quickly during the fishless cycle not to bang on the glass - one timeout was all that was required for learning. Then he learned responsibility regarding running in the house - not allowed. He also has been able to ID most of the fish in the LFS as a result of the copious amount of research I did before we ever got any fish. He's able to pick out different fish, and now can recite back to me why we can or can't have that fish in our tank. It's amazing to me how quickly he learned that just because the fish looks small and peaceful in the LFS doesn't mean that it will stay that way at home.


Congrats and best wishes with all the joys (and some heartache) that comes with children. It truly is an adventure. BTW, when yours comes, can you forward me a copy of the owner's manual. I think I lost mine.

 

[DrRob]

Thank you for the reminder to put child locks on the tank cabinet doors by the time our expected arrival (April) can crawl.

I hadn't thought of the fish tank cabinet, I was carefully counting kitchen cupboards and such like.

 

[smokeyjo]

I've got a 21 month old son and to be fair to him he's good as gold he likes to have a look and point but since I had it he's been told he's not allowed to touch it and if he bangs it which he does occasionally he sits on the step. He loves them tho and he loves me letting him help me do things like feed them w/c etc. U will be ok seeing as the tank was there first so ur little 1 will be used to it by the time he or she is on the move.

 

[swanseastilo]

I got a 7 month old daughter and she just sits in the pram watching the fish. Normally falls asleep doing it. Only problem i had was with my ex's 4 year old. She used to like watching this fish but would always end up falling against it or trying to climb it