Babys and Reef tanks

[Atari]

As many of you already know and have congratulated me on, I have a new Baby boy. Because I know one of his many PhDs is going to be in marine bio, I want to let him watch the tank as much as possible. My wife is just being a good mom and worrying about EVERY LITTLE THING with the baby. Knowing that many of you have both kids and tanks I thought I would ask for advice. Any advice about mixing the two would be great, but I have a few particular questions I need to ask to put her mind at ease.

1. My wife thinks that the lights are so bright that he will get a sunburn from them, Is this even something to consider?

2. What age should I start teaching him to snorkel in it? I say the sooner the better because he will be smaller and have less a chance to brake corals... The wife will not even consider this.

All avice is wellcome, as many of you know new parents never get enough avice.

 

[djkms]

1. Sunburn is caused by UV light. IIRC the only bulbs that cause UV are MH and most fixtures have a UV filter on them to block the UV lights because UV is also harmful to our inhabitants.

2. Snorkel in your tank? Man what size tank do you have lol.

Congrats on the baby! My wife gave birth to our beautiful daughter on 12/12/11 and she is our first so I am right there with you! Amazing experience isnt it! Anytime my daughter gets fussy we sit in front of the tank and she calms down right away. She loves the aquarium!

 

[Atari]

It's about 300gal, I figure he could clean out the small corners I can't get to.
were else are you going to teach them to snorkel in a reef when you live in Denver.

 

[djkms]

You are braver than me, I wouldn't stick my child in my tank! I don't even like handling my baby after I had my hands in the tank, I make sure to wash up before I do.

 

[Atari]

I was just kidding about the snorkeling... I'm the same way about tuching him after working on the tank

 

[Boogie]

my kids love it. its great when they name the fish...of course...every occ/perc is named nemo, the rest mostly by colors. Its great to be able to have a hobby to share at such a young age. I think it helps the father bond with their child, i really do think its a positive thing.

 

[Atari]

Thats what I have been saying. I'm glad someone else said it too, now she might be less interested in getting rid of it.

 

[CRW Reef]

Its great to be able to have a hobby to share at such a young age. I think it helps the father bond with their child, i really do think its a positive thing.

+1 My reef and Jeep = 2 DEF GREAT BONDING times

 

[djkms]

Dude, there is one answer to your problem. Pink corals.

 

[KhensuRa]

+1 My reef and Jeep = 2 DEF GREAT BONDING times

Nothing like going wheeling for the day and then coming home to the reef.

 

[Atari]

Great now I don't have to lesson to her about getting rid of my Bronco any more too!

 

[CRW Reef]

Dang who knew there were so many other Dads who are REEF and 4X4 Freaks out there! This CLUB is AWESOME !!!!!

 

[Atari]

yeah now we should set up something for reefer dads with 4X4s

 

[bigsittingrock]

I don't worry about what it may do to my kids but the other way around. I've pulled out pool balls, dolls, scrap 2x4, and a toothbrush.

 

[Atari]

Good to know

Sent from phone.

 

[andrew]

lol im 17, but i remember one of the most things you can do as with what my mom(not my dad) did with me is take me snorkeling in the keys. Great bond and I remember it alot. Definitely do it at a young age of 8- 10 so they don't get scared of the water and I promise you wont regret it. They always remember something like that!!

 

[andrew]

start them swimming around 4. I have a cousin and he 3 years and hes fearless of water now, and I think it really will make a big difference in there whole life starting them young in the water!

 

[Aricml]

My daughter just turned 5 months, so its time to start baby-proofing the tank here too! But my little girl just loves being held so she can watch the fish!

 

[SWQuest]

What I do with my two year old son is I lift him up to the tank and let him feed the fish, I let him help me clean the glass with the magnet, he helps me test my water (not really he just sits there and plays with the syringe lol). It's a nice feeling I love it. Congrats they are worth it

 

[chrislorentz]

My daughters and I sit around and tell each other how much better our tanks are.....

Daughter1 : dad your tank looks like crap.
Dad: Dude you are smoking crack
Daughter2: My tanks is better than both of yours
Dad/Daughter1 : SHUTUP.