Baby/Kid proofing tanks, need advice & experience!

JotaDe · 07/22/2007, 10:48 AM

Rather than do it the hard way I'd like to prepare as much as possible by learning from some of your mistakes

All ideas/opinions/experience/advice welcome!

Our little monster is only 14 months, and not quite walking around on 2 legs yet... but that is only weeks away.

Posing my setup below to help.

I see 3 obvious areas where he can cause problems:
1. I actually can't believe he hasn't done a Tug-O-War on the one power cable (outlet is a good 3'-4' away) going to the tank yet and shut everything off.
2. Because of the 4" space between the wall and cabinet (to fit the Remora skimmer), someday he'll be able to put his little paws in there and yank on stuff I'm sure.
3. The stand is free standing (not mounted/bracketed to the wall). He already pulls himself up by grabbing the top of the stand, but do I need to worry about him shaking/rocking the stand till something bad happens? I can't imagine it's easy to move around 29 gallons of water, specially for a little guy.

xtm · 07/22/2007, 11:10 AM

my son is 6-yrs old and I pretty much taught him from the get go to NOT put his hands or play around the fishtank. He's been a very good boy though.

For a tall tank like yours, It's ABSOLUTELY necessary to secure the stand against the wall. I will use at least two metal braces for this...since you live in CA, you don't want your tank to fall forward in case of an earthquake and possibly hurt someone.

Lock your tank stand doors. Kids are known to throw pennies on sumps after making a wish..

Password protect your controllers (ACJr, AC3, RK...etc, if you have one)

Hide ALL wires. based on those pics, I would find another wall socket that is out of sight. It's so easy for someone (esp. your little buddy) to pull it out when you're at work.

katpurdy · 07/23/2007, 09:23 AM

lock the sump door...my 3 year old has dumped whole cans of food in the sump!

Kayadad · 07/23/2007, 09:34 AM

When my son (now 2 1/2) started getting around. We just taught him to stay away from things like the tank. He gets to help feed, clean, and add water to the ato, but only as a helper for mommy and me. We treat it the same as we do the stove, bbq, free standing wood stove, and strange dogs.

It is cute cause he woke us up this morning and told us the ato needed more water (it was gurgling) and wanted to be a helper.

fishysteve · 07/23/2007, 09:44 AM

How about one of those dog shock collars. A couple zaps and he /she should learn.

b.branscombe · 07/23/2007, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishysteve
How about one of those dog shock collars. A couple zaps and he /she should learn.

Yeah, you could put the tank inside the perimeter of one of those invisible fences.

Sk8r · 07/23/2007, 10:04 AM

First line of defense is a fierce declaration of possessiveness about that tank: mine! Nobody touches mommy/daddy's tank. Make that, nobody goes near mommy's/daddy's tank.

Install a wooden shim back there to protect those wires from being yanked. Babylock on the cabinet. No moveable chairs in the room.

Do not have fun with baby 'watching daddy feed fish'. Baby will file this away and try it solo. If he can't find the fish food, cornflakes will do.

Do not ever say you are 'doctoring the fish.' Baby will help you with that. Only hope its just milk of magnesia.

Little critters have an unbearably potent urge to mimic parents: it's what keeps successful baby gazelles from being lion food. BUT---it leads them to mime what their parents do [that mine! is unfortunate, but you'll have to apply it to car keys, knives, and power tools, so get started with this one.]

That tank is very narrow and very tall: if he/she starts messing with it with a chair to give him leveragebbbb, it could tip. You might consider earthquake/hurricane strapping----a simple metal strip screwed to tank and wall stud.

JotaDe · 07/23/2007, 11:00 AM

Some great comments! Thanks guys.

1. I'm screwed with the outlet, there is one on the other side but it's about 2 feet away from the cabinet. Still I might be able to hide it better. I'll look for some sort of screw-in lock that'll hold a power cable into an outlet.

2. I will definitely be baby-proofing the door so he can't open it.

3. I'll have to fabricate something to close the gap between the wall and the tank.

4. I will definitely be bracketing this stand to wall studs.

5. And the wife and I are/will be adament about *what* he's allowed to touch and the tank is definitely off limits.

I thought about the electric collar, but then if I zap him with his hand in the water I might damage my corals

More experience/advice welcome

JJ21 · 07/23/2007, 12:16 PM

electric/barbed wire fence???

srry, i'm not good with kids

LeslieP · 07/23/2007, 01:49 PM

I have to admit that I did not do a complete erradication of risk to my son. I did put a lock on the stand so he could not get in to the chemicals and I shoved the power strips behind the tank, although he could have reached them if he had really tried. I agree with the above suggestions about bracing your tank to the wall because it is topheavy.
My son was rarely alone with the tank and we were very good at saying "NO" and redirecting him whenever he thought about touching anything. I also avoided doing anything to the tank when he was around so he would not want to "help". This worked with my son, but you have to decide what your child will respond to - some kids just like to get into things and you will have to take more precautions if yours is one of them. Good luck with your future helper!

yeldarbj · 07/23/2007, 03:27 PM

That's the main reason I have a sumpless system. Kids and open water just don't mix. I also chose an 18" wide tank to make the tipping over risk very small. I wouldn't keep any chemicals in the cabinet. Use cable ties to keep all stray wiring out of the way. I mounted power strips inside the cabinet to keep power cords out of reach from the side.

That main power line is a real concern. More than just unplugging it, I would be more concerned with biting into it.

miwoodar · 07/23/2007, 03:41 PM

If you can, try to keep small toys elsewhere in the house. My brother threw a nickel through the front pane of my 20 gallon tank when he was 4! The hole was 1" above the sand...good thing we were home at the time.

mr_o98 · 07/23/2007, 04:36 PM

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...1&N=2007&Nty=1
Go with the large. It comes apart so it can be spread across an opening (doorway), or use it to enclose a tank. I used one of these to prevents my rabbits from nibbling on the power cords. It fit around my 90g tank.

Kayadad · 07/23/2007, 04:46 PM

Biting the power cord? Are we talking about your child or a pet?

mr_o98 · 07/23/2007, 05:18 PM

Rabbits.
I used the pen to establish a perimeter around my tank. It also kept my dogs away from the tank. They would sit in front of the gate and stare at the fish.

reef3r · 07/23/2007, 05:27 PM

Couldn't a kid just knock it down or move it out of the way?

mr_o98 · 07/23/2007, 06:05 PM

Not it you attach it to the wall with "I" hooks or a latch.
I used one of these gates in a doorway and have tripped over it and it never came out of the wall.

padeen · 07/23/2007, 06:16 PM

Quote:

1. I'm screwed with the outlet, there is one on the other side but it's about 2 feet away from the cabinet. Still I might be able to hide it better. I'll look for some sort of screw-in lock that'll hold a power cable into an outlet.

You can get cable attachers from any hardware store for pennies. They are a nail with a U-shaped plastic cup. The wire goes into the U and you bang the nail into the skirting board. It holds the wire against being pulled. I'd put in two, one at the powerpoint end and one at the tank end. They are unobtrusive and can be removed later, leaving just a small nail hole.

padeen · 07/23/2007, 06:23 PM

Oh, sorry, I thought you were concerned about him pulling the tank over with the wire. Perhaps a cable-tie around the plug and the end of the tie screwed behind the powerpoint face plate?

yeldarbj · 07/23/2007, 06:50 PM

I'm talking about a child biting the power cord!

mr_o98 · 07/23/2007, 07:24 PM

There is also plastic tubes that can cover the power cords to prevent animals/children from biting into the cord. The cord runs inside the tube to protect it. I used one that also had tape on it so it was able to be taped along the wall. I believe Home depot sells them.

2farNorth · 07/23/2007, 08:10 PM

One thing I may add... never, use a hammer in the same room as the tank,, and then set it down.. just for a second,, even it it's just to get a nail!!.... never... Use your imagination...

2farNorth · 07/23/2007, 08:18 PM

Otherwise, looking at your pictures you posted.. I agree with the power cords.... and one thing I didn't see mentioned yet, that I noticed,, the chair next to the tank (I think it's a chair) A kid could easily crawl up on the chair,, try to feed the fish or whatever.. and either knock the lights into the tank... or fall and try to grab something and grab the edge of the tank.. and well,, not sure how tippy your tank is,, but it could fall over... which, I highly doubt.. because of the weight,, but just to be safe.....

07/22/2007, 10:48 AM	#1
JotaDe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Los Gatos, California Posts: 344	Baby/Kid proofing tanks, need advice & experience! Rather than do it the hard way I'd like to prepare as much as possible by learning from some of your mistakes All ideas/opinions/experience/advice welcome! Our little monster is only 14 months, and not quite walking around on 2 legs yet... but that is only weeks away. Posing my setup below to help. I see 3 obvious areas where he can cause problems: 1. I actually can't believe he hasn't done a Tug-O-War on the one power cable (outlet is a good 3'-4' away) going to the tank yet and shut everything off. 2. Because of the 4" space between the wall and cabinet (to fit the Remora skimmer), someday he'll be able to put his little paws in there and yank on stuff I'm sure. 3. The stand is free standing (not mounted/bracketed to the wall). He already pulls himself up by grabbing the top of the stand, but do I need to worry about him shaking/rocking the stand till something bad happens? I can't imagine it's easy to move around 29 gallons of water, specially for a little guy.

07/22/2007, 11:10 AM	#2
xtm Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Panorama City, CA Posts: 4,703	my son is 6-yrs old and I pretty much taught him from the get go to NOT put his hands or play around the fishtank. He's been a very good boy though. For a tall tank like yours, It's ABSOLUTELY necessary to secure the stand against the wall. I will use at least two metal braces for this...since you live in CA, you don't want your tank to fall forward in case of an earthquake and possibly hurt someone. Lock your tank stand doors. Kids are known to throw pennies on sumps after making a wish.. Password protect your controllers (ACJr, AC3, RK...etc, if you have one) Hide ALL wires. based on those pics, I would find another wall socket that is out of sight. It's so easy for someone (esp. your little buddy) to pull it out when you're at work. __________________ Function before fashion Current Tank Info: 120g SPS Tank (48x24x24)

07/23/2007, 09:23 AM	#3
katpurdy Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Halifax,Nova Scotia Posts: 492	lock the sump door...my 3 year old has dumped whole cans of food in the sump! __________________ 55G tall mixed reef 30G sump,2x250W10K SPS+ 2 VHO super actinic,CsS220, 130FOWLR 60Gsump. 20g long with 10g sump mixed reef Current Tank Info: 55g tall sps dominant, 30g sump css220, 2x 250W xm10k MH plus 2x 96W VHO actinic 130g FOWLR, 60g sump

07/23/2007, 09:34 AM	#4
Kayadad Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: State of Jefferson Posts: 345	When my son (now 2 1/2) started getting around. We just taught him to stay away from things like the tank. He gets to help feed, clean, and add water to the ato, but only as a helper for mommy and me. We treat it the same as we do the stove, bbq, free standing wood stove, and strange dogs. It is cute cause he woke us up this morning and told us the ato needed more water (it was gurgling) and wanted to be a helper. __________________ 120 FOWLR. Equip: 80gal Plywood/pondliner basement sump, Ebay LED light fixture, Euroreef 5-3, mag 18 return (looking at making this a backup), 2 tunze 6100 with multi-controller

07/23/2007, 09:44 AM	#5
fishysteve Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 1,804	How about one of those dog shock collars. A couple zaps and he /she should learn. __________________ On a break

07/23/2007, 10:04 AM	#7
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	First line of defense is a fierce declaration of possessiveness about that tank: mine! Nobody touches mommy/daddy's tank. Make that, nobody goes near mommy's/daddy's tank. Install a wooden shim back there to protect those wires from being yanked. Babylock on the cabinet. No moveable chairs in the room. Do not have fun with baby 'watching daddy feed fish'. Baby will file this away and try it solo. If he can't find the fish food, cornflakes will do. Do not ever say you are 'doctoring the fish.' Baby will help you with that. Only hope its just milk of magnesia. Little critters have an unbearably potent urge to mimic parents: it's what keeps successful baby gazelles from being lion food. BUT---it leads them to mime what their parents do [that mine! is unfortunate, but you'll have to apply it to car keys, knives, and power tools, so get started with this one.] That tank is very narrow and very tall: if he/she starts messing with it with a chair to give him leveragebbbb, it could tip. You might consider earthquake/hurricane strapping----a simple metal strip screwed to tank and wall stud. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

07/23/2007, 11:00 AM	#8
JotaDe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Los Gatos, California Posts: 344	Some great comments! Thanks guys. 1. I'm screwed with the outlet, there is one on the other side but it's about 2 feet away from the cabinet. Still I might be able to hide it better. I'll look for some sort of screw-in lock that'll hold a power cable into an outlet. 2. I will definitely be baby-proofing the door so he can't open it. 3. I'll have to fabricate something to close the gap between the wall and the tank. 4. I will definitely be bracketing this stand to wall studs. 5. And the wife and I are/will be adament about what he's allowed to touch and the tank is definitely off limits. I thought about the electric collar, but then if I zap him with his hand in the water I might damage my corals More experience/advice welcome

07/23/2007, 12:16 PM	#9
JJ21 Registered Member. Join Date: May 2007 Location: Blue Bell, PA Posts: 533	electric/barbed wire fence??? srry, i'm not good with kids __________________ JJ "I get to go to lots of overseas places, like Canada." -Britney Spears Rehab is for quitters. I like the smell of a particularly ripe fart (only if it is mine).~BrianD Current Tank Info: 29 gallon biocube, LPS dominated.

07/23/2007, 01:49 PM	#10
LeslieP Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Waterford, CT Posts: 1,544	I have to admit that I did not do a complete erradication of risk to my son. I did put a lock on the stand so he could not get in to the chemicals and I shoved the power strips behind the tank, although he could have reached them if he had really tried. I agree with the above suggestions about bracing your tank to the wall because it is topheavy. My son was rarely alone with the tank and we were very good at saying "NO" and redirecting him whenever he thought about touching anything. I also avoided doing anything to the tank when he was around so he would not want to "help". This worked with my son, but you have to decide what your child will respond to - some kids just like to get into things and you will have to take more precautions if yours is one of them. Good luck with your future helper!

07/23/2007, 03:27 PM	#11
yeldarbj Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,295	That's the main reason I have a sumpless system. Kids and open water just don't mix. I also chose an 18" wide tank to make the tipping over risk very small. I wouldn't keep any chemicals in the cabinet. Use cable ties to keep all stray wiring out of the way. I mounted power strips inside the cabinet to keep power cords out of reach from the side. That main power line is a real concern. More than just unplugging it, I would be more concerned with biting into it.

07/23/2007, 03:41 PM	#12
miwoodar Likey the bikey Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 3,371	Put away small (throwable) items If you can, try to keep small toys elsewhere in the house. My brother threw a nickel through the front pane of my 20 gallon tank when he was 4! The hole was 1" above the sand...good thing we were home at the time. __________________ Mike On hiatus. I'm either out riding my bicycle, playing with my family, or throwing ferts in my planted tank. Or working. I hope I'm not doing that though. Current Tank Info: 140 DIY Cube

07/23/2007, 04:36 PM	#13
mr_o98 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Pen Argyl, PA Posts: 600	http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...1&N=2007&Nty=1 Go with the large. It comes apart so it can be spread across an opening (doorway), or use it to enclose a tank. I used one of these to prevents my rabbits from nibbling on the power cords. It fit around my 90g tank. __________________ Sometimes I amaze even myself. I feel like I have TWO brilliant minds. Current Tank Info: 90g fish only tank, Green Chromis, Ocellaris clown, 6 line Wrasse, Convict Tang, Foxface Lo, Decorator Goby, Lemon Drop butterfly, Flameback Angel - 30g sump, Euro Reef skimmer, 2 250w MH

07/23/2007, 04:46 PM	#14
Kayadad Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: State of Jefferson Posts: 345	Biting the power cord? Are we talking about your child or a pet? __________________ 120 FOWLR. Equip: 80gal Plywood/pondliner basement sump, Ebay LED light fixture, Euroreef 5-3, mag 18 return (looking at making this a backup), 2 tunze 6100 with multi-controller

07/23/2007, 05:18 PM	#15
mr_o98 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Pen Argyl, PA Posts: 600	Rabbits. I used the pen to establish a perimeter around my tank. It also kept my dogs away from the tank. They would sit in front of the gate and stare at the fish. __________________ Sometimes I amaze even myself. I feel like I have TWO brilliant minds. Current Tank Info: 90g fish only tank, Green Chromis, Ocellaris clown, 6 line Wrasse, Convict Tang, Foxface Lo, Decorator Goby, Lemon Drop butterfly, Flameback Angel - 30g sump, Euro Reef skimmer, 2 250w MH

07/23/2007, 05:27 PM	#16
reef3r Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: pittsburgh Posts: 471	Couldn't a kid just knock it down or move it out of the way?

07/23/2007, 06:05 PM	#17
mr_o98 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Pen Argyl, PA Posts: 600	Not it you attach it to the wall with "I" hooks or a latch. I used one of these gates in a doorway and have tripped over it and it never came out of the wall. __________________ Sometimes I amaze even myself. I feel like I have TWO brilliant minds. Current Tank Info: 90g fish only tank, Green Chromis, Ocellaris clown, 6 line Wrasse, Convict Tang, Foxface Lo, Decorator Goby, Lemon Drop butterfly, Flameback Angel - 30g sump, Euro Reef skimmer, 2 250w MH

07/23/2007, 06:23 PM	#19
padeen Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Canberra Posts: 6	Oh, sorry, I thought you were concerned about him pulling the tank over with the wire. Perhaps a cable-tie around the plug and the end of the tie screwed behind the powerpoint face plate?

07/23/2007, 06:50 PM	#20
yeldarbj Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,295	I'm talking about a child biting the power cord!

07/23/2007, 07:24 PM	#21
mr_o98 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Pen Argyl, PA Posts: 600	There is also plastic tubes that can cover the power cords to prevent animals/children from biting into the cord. The cord runs inside the tube to protect it. I used one that also had tape on it so it was able to be taped along the wall. I believe Home depot sells them. __________________ Sometimes I amaze even myself. I feel like I have TWO brilliant minds. Current Tank Info: 90g fish only tank, Green Chromis, Ocellaris clown, 6 line Wrasse, Convict Tang, Foxface Lo, Decorator Goby, Lemon Drop butterfly, Flameback Angel - 30g sump, Euro Reef skimmer, 2 250w MH

07/23/2007, 08:10 PM	#22
2farNorth Moved On Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upper Peninsula, Michigan Posts: 929	One thing I may add... never, use a hammer in the same room as the tank,, and then set it down.. just for a second,, even it it's just to get a nail!!.... never... Use your imagination...

07/23/2007, 08:18 PM	#23
2farNorth Moved On Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upper Peninsula, Michigan Posts: 929	Otherwise, looking at your pictures you posted.. I agree with the power cords.... and one thing I didn't see mentioned yet, that I noticed,, the chair next to the tank (I think it's a chair) A kid could easily crawl up on the chair,, try to feed the fish or whatever.. and either knock the lights into the tank... or fall and try to grab something and grab the edge of the tank.. and well,, not sure how tippy your tank is,, but it could fall over... which, I highly doubt.. because of the weight,, but just to be safe.....