Parents of 5YOs please advise

[aquadonkey]

Hi friends!
My sister is coming to visit tomorrow and bringing her oldest son (my 5YO nephew) with her! I'm soooo excited about the visit - but.... do any of you have some aquarium safety tips to pass on? The room he's going to sleep in has my little tank in there - no cover, lots of outlets etc......
He's a pretty responsible little guy - the sea monkeys I got him for Christmas are still alive!

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

jmo

jmo

firmly lay down the law and most kids in this situation will listen because it's the Aunt's house and aquarium

-HOWEVER-

you can fully expect a curious 5 year old boy to want to check out that aquarium closely at some point!

 

[aquadonkey]

Sounds good - and I sincerely hope he Does spend time checking out the aquariums!

 

[lcs]

Show him the tank and, if he's interested, answer his questions and let him look at everything while you're with him. And, like Gary said, let him know what he can't touch and why. My kids are really great about the stuff that is associated with the tank partly because they know how dire the consequences can be for the inhabitants.

Have fun with him! Five is such a fun age!

 

[pascal32]

talking is the best way to go. I would limit your tank activity while in view such as cleaning etc. Just yesterday my 6 year old started cleaning the glass with the magnet by herself and was so proud, for now I make sure she doesn't see me touching the reefkeeper

 

[aquadonkey]

Yay! They get here soon
Great advice on not letting him see me do too much maintenance - he's an enthusiastic (if not so helpful) helper!
I'm going to see if he's brave enough to let the cleaner shrimp clean his cuticles!

 

[acdraindrps]

Small tank? Move it for the time being!

 

[lcs]

I'm going to see if he's brave enough to let the cleaner shrimp clean his cuticles!

My kids both keep asking to have our shrimp clean them, but when they put an arm in, he won't have anything to do with them. My husband hasn't tried (chicken!) so I don't know if it's just the way they move their hands around or what.

I second what Blurry said about the maintenance, good idea.

 

[belgian_waffleman]

I'm going to see if he's brave enough to let the cleaner shrimp clean his cuticles!

I hope you are joking. It sure would be a mixed message for the 5yo. Don't touch but put your hand in for a cleaning...
Do you where that 5yo hand has been?

Kids, especially little ones,need a straight direction, it's the only thing they understand. As soon as the boundaries become shaded, chaos erupts.

Waffleman

 

[Willistein]

I found my kids one evening with wet arms and shirts, and all of the freshwater fish from their 10 gallon tank in little toy pots and pans. My 4yo son loves to help and I made the mistake of letting him see me taking the filter pad out of the HOB filter and now he likes to "check" it on his own.

Another time my wife walked in their room, saw a guppy on a toy plate, and my 6yo daughter was telling my 2yo son, "quick, eat him before mommy comes in."

I would have him sleep in a different room... he he.

 

[block head]

for a short visit- look/no touch rule should be in effect. explain they are very fragile and can get very sick.

 

[Tonynlo]

I had a half of a can of flakes dumped into a 3 gallon eclipse tank full of neon tetra. Also, a tasty piece of bread was dropped in on a seperate event. Hide the food and seal the top of the tank.

 

[redrider911]

Lock him in a cage during the night:hmm2: Sorry, all I have are dogs haha

 

[Willistein]

for a short visit- look/no touch rule should be in effect. explain they are very fragile and can get very sick.

Good suggestion, my kids are very concerned with the fish's health.

 

[amazo]

I have 3 kids (13,8,3) the older two no problems at all,and the baby only tried to feed them once luckily most of it ended up on the floor.She understands how delicate the tanks are and the fish will get "sick" if we aren't careful,I find if I explain in terms she understands things go pretty smooth.She did put her hands in the water once then they went straight in her mouth ,she hasn't done it again.Not that it will help with your situation but I also take her fish shopping and she "picks" things to go in the tanks so she thinks they are hers.I think that makes her more concerned for their welfare.

 

[reefman5511]

Restraints & drugs work best!