Parenthood and Saltwater - How to navigate?

[kitti-fish]

To put it simply, my husband and I are hoping to have a child in the near future. Although we haven’t been blessed with one yet, I’m mentally preparing and I need some advice. As the one who will be doing the heavy lifting in pregnancy, I worry I’ll be unable to do certain task down the line, not to mention the aftermath of having the child. My husband is willing to learn and help me but I’m a bit of a control freak when it comes to my tank. I’ve already downsized to one tank and automated it best I can so it’s just plug and play but accidents can happen.

That being said, how did you navigate? Any tips and tricks? Baby proofing ideas? Gates and locks will be the top priority for the little one but any advice for me would be awesome. I’m even considered hiring our local LFS to come do monthly maintenance if needed.

 

[rayadog]

I can’t really speak much but I have a newborn. My partner knows how much time and money I put into the tank already. It’s enough that I can carve out a time once a week for necessary maintenance and 30min-1hr a day. I have the tank on the up in a good spot so it’s just staying consistent now.

And you have a while to proof everything. But they will enjoy the tank I’m sure when they’re old enough to

 

[Waters]

I have three kids and can say newborns/toddlers take a ton of time and energy. Not only will your time be at a premium, your desire to do anything but sleep will take over...at least for a while lol. I would let your husband help......your desire to control your tank will diminish when you have a new little one to obsess over Once everything calms down and you get into a routine, things will go back to normal.

 

[WildOne]

How well you can fare during pregnancy is really, really variable between women. My mom could run, work and do groceries. One of my friends spent 7 months lying on her back, no getting up allowed. I stopped breathing during mine.

After the baby is there: well, the friend that was on her back was suddenly OK, just tired cause of baby. I helped her clean her tank after, she had no energy . We couldn't see the fish, which actually turned out to be alive.

On my end, for several month, I couldn't even lift the baby, my partner got up every 3 hours, every night, to put her on my chest so she could eat. Neither of us slept. Making a meal was though. Friends dropped us frozen cooked food. It took months before I could lift my own child. I've got a long list of permanent and long term consequences, some rather serious ones too.

Its good you're not alone. its great if you can take care of your own tank. Just don't count on it.

I got a toddler right now, and freshwater tanks. I had to:
1 - make sure the fish food is out of her reach. she loves to feed the fish.
2 - make sure all cabinet doors are lockable or can fit anti-toddler devices. Be aware that mine got around several models of anti-toddler devices.
3 - no bottom shelf that can be climbed on. I had to put large and heavy plywood panels in front of every shelving unit.
4 - be wary of hand when you want to do something like testing the water. I haven't tested a thing in 6 months. Last time, I was running after a chemical and test tube thief.
5 - vaporized chemicals are an issue. Thinking of things like palythoa.
6 - mesh covers, solid ones! toddler climb on chairs and will put their hands in.

Mine walked at 11 months, ran at 13, climbed the attic ladder at 16 was moving chairs to get higher and grab more stuff. Its was a pain, when so tired, to try to babyproof and toddlerproof anything.