Hi everyone. So Im about to become a Dad for the first time, its a boy, and I am really happy about that. However, I've been working on stream lining the fish room (putting the lights on a timer, breaking down some tanks, etc) and was wondering if anyone had any tips for me during this whole process? What have you guys done to keep the hobby fun while keeping it from becoming an overwhelming chore? Thanks.
Parenting and Fish Keeping
- Thread starter docturtle91b
- Start date
Well congrats. Honestly i cant help but can say your are headed in the right direction. Using light timers n what not will lessen the up on your part. Iknow when my son was first born the light timer helped get him adjust to day and night time. Since i liked to set my lights to the actual daylight and night timing.
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Congrats to you for sure, nothing like being a dad. Downsize for now then when they get older get them involved. Secure any five gallon buckets, they can be lethal. I had kid locks on my cabinets so they couldn't get into sumps or pull on canister hoses as well. Enjoy your blessing!
Here's my fish room after my daughter was born.
Haha. I have just 3 display tanks left upstairs. I was kinda sad about downsizing but now I'm glad I did.
My biggest advice is to work on your water change tools. Make the process as quick and easy as possible. Time is not on my side.
I find my self scheduling a canister filter cleaning. "Ok the wife is Taking the baby out on Tuesday, I've got a half hour, I think I can clean my fluval and my sunsun and still have time to do household chores.
My daughter is still too small to get into much, but I'm working on childproofing none the less.
Make sure you use hand sanitizer or wash your hands after putting them into tanks. Babies are liable to spontaneously combust if introduced to unnecessary bacteria.
Its all about time management. It's not too bad.
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Don't freak the poor guy out. The baby will not spontaneously combust if introduced to unnecessary bacteria. The more dirt and cat hair and dog hair little ones are exposed too at a young age, the less likely they will be to have ashma or allergies later in life. You want to avoid people, especially during RSV season.
That being said, I have three kids (11,7 and 2) and as far as a fishroom goes, try to make your tanks understocked. That way you can let them go a little bit and when you do get around to water changes, you will be ok. You still need your fish and something non baby and work related or you will go nuts.
That being said, I have three kids (11,7 and 2) and as far as a fishroom goes, try to make your tanks understocked. That way you can let them go a little bit and when you do get around to water changes, you will be ok. You still need your fish and something non baby and work related or you will go nuts.
Congrats! I had my first kid last year and I just downsized. Got rid of my 150G and just kept my 75G and 125G. I've just put kid locks on all the cabinet doors so he doesn't get into any of the filters but my biggest tip would be to put covers on the plug sockets. My kid loves trying to plug everything out and this stops all his fun. Would be easy enough not to notice a tank plugged out. Once he starts climbing I'm going to look into putting kid locks on the lids as well. Mummy wouldn't be happy if he fell into any of the piranha tanks 
Thanks guys for the advice and congratulations. Im pretty stoked about having a son and so far everything seems healthy. I was sweating the healthy thing for a little while due to all the depleted uranium and other nasties I got exposed to. The cabinet locks are something I hadn't thought of so that may be on my list of things to get at home depot. I can relate to being a little bummed about breaking down aquariums my 40 gallon long tank has been planted for about a year now so tearing that apart will be rough.
I'm not a father yet but I'm married and I would say to focus on one or two or max 3 fish that you REALLY want. I know it's difficult if you have had them all since small but yes it can become a chore and then your life appears to only revolve around fish keeping. Cleaning, maintaining, feeding and watching fish.
Although that is secretly fun only you will understand.
Although that is secretly fun only you will understand.
