37 Gallon in the nursery?

[texhorns98]

OK,

I'm about ready to get the new tank running. I have an old Eclipse show tank that I used to keep FW and then converted to my first SW tank that lasted me all of two weeks before I decided to go bigger!:thumbs:

My almost 6 month old daughter is fascinated by my big tank and so I've gotten the go ahead to do one "for her" in the nursery. I want this thing to be SIMPLE! I have some LR I can move from the big tank along with some base rock and my plan is to put rubble in the place where the carbon filter would normally go. Obviously, I can remove that rubble and run carbon if needed.

Ligthing - right now there are two 20 watt T8s in there. Unless I can find the rertofit made for this hood, or DIY, I'll be limited in what I can put in there.

Flow - Not sure how much the little pump on here moves, but I'm sure it's not enough. I'll be adding something soon, maybe a Tunze nanostream or two? Would I really need flow if I end up going FOWLR?

Background - I've always wanted to try an idea I saw on RC where a girl painted the background of her tank and it faded from blue to black (top to bottom). This is a small enough tank to experiment with something like that, but I'm still not sure.

Inhabitants - This is where I would like some input! I could go FOWLR, but only want to do that if I can keep some really cool stuff (It's a small tank, right?). Otherwise, I'll probably be relatively boring and go with some clowns and a mushroom/zoa garden (again, this depends on my lighting).

This tank will not be all that extravagant, so this is not really a "build" per se, just looking for some opinions. Thanks guys!

 

[cr500_af]

Tagging along because I'm setting up a 14g cube for my daughter next week. BTW, Kelsey (atreyu917) did the same paint scheme on her 80g build here.

 

[smoothie]

If you do keep the current lighting they will readily grow macro which will help with nutrients as ya know and xenia. Xenia pulses and could be stimulating for her.
As far as fish go just something colorful that moves a little. Get her watching Finding nemo and through a clown in there. I have a number of parents that "have" to eat at Austin's simply because we have "nemo, memo, ahhhhhh" in the tank up there

 

[acroholic]

Safety first. Remember that a filled 37 gallon tank will weigh well over 300 lbs. Think worst case scenarios. Will she ever be alone in that room for any time period, especially when she is learning to walk and pull up on things, or pull things over on herself.

Personally, I don't think a nursery is any place for a saltwater aquarium at that stage of your daughter's life. When she reaches Barry's daughter's age probably.

Just my opinion, and not meant in an unfriendly way. Trying to be helpful.

 

[smoothie]

Wow Dave GREAT point. Keep it high on at least a dresser if ya do

 

[smoothie]

My kids are doomed

 

[acroholic]

But if you do set it up in the nursery, GFCIs everywhere.

 

[jennm]

If it's on a dresser - have it bolted to the wall. In fact any stand should be fastened to the wall. Kids can pull down all kinds of stuff - dressers in particular, if they pull out the drawers to use as "stairs" and it shifts the center of gravity of the piece of furniture.

I tend to agree with David on this one - err on the side of caution.

We frequently see customers looking to put a tank in a small child's room, and that's the same caution I give to everyone. Kids are kids, and their safety is paramount. There are already plenty of hazards in the home that can place them in harm's way.

Jenn

 

[texhorns98]

These are all great points guys, thanks for the input! The stand will be securely fastened to the wall behind it and there are only 2 plugs (lights and pump) that will be on a GFCI, of course. I will also route the wires through corrugated plastic tubing wrapped in electrical tape, just in case.

As for airborne bacteria, I'll have to look more into that one. This tank has a hood, but I'm not sure that makes much of a difference in this case.

 

[myvwrock]

JennM;522048 wrote: If it's on a dresser - have it bolted to the wall. In fact any stand should be fastened to the wall. Kids can pull down all kinds of stuff - dressers in particular, if they pull out the drawers to use as "stairs" and it shifts the center of gravity of the piece of furniture.

I tend to agree with David on this one - err on the side of caution.

We frequently see customers looking to put a tank in a small child's room, and that's the same caution I give to everyone. Kids are kids, and their safety is paramount. There are already plenty of hazards in the home that can place them in harm's way.

Jenn

Good point , I mean I am not that little anymore but it is a good idea to have the tanks secured anyway. I know that my dads 90gal is not , because me and some buddies were rough housing and kinda .....bumped dads aquarium.....needless to say he told use to go out side before he kills us. lol

 

[texhorns98]

I'll probably tack the cords to the back of the stand as well now. I mean, she's probably a ways off from walking and this stand won't have drawers. Other than the electric part, I can't see any reason not to do it. Still wanting to know more about this airborne bacteria business though.