Large fish tank in kids play room......good idea?

[HimSelf]

Hi everyone,

I want to build a 90 gal tank in the kids play room and was wondering if it is dangours since my two boys are only 2yr old and 1yr old.

How much force does it take to crack a tank that size filled with water?

Thanks

[brotherluv]

I'd be more worried of it potentially tipping over...

[exv152]

I've never had a tank break but it probably doesn't take a ton of force. The sharp end of something hitting the right spot is probably enough to begin a crack. But I doubt the kids could do any harm to it with their bare hands and some plastic toys. If you have a solid wooden stand, as opposed to a metal frame stand, tipping shouldn't be an issue. Homemade is better because you can make it as solid as you want.

[Fishnut]

I have rules for my 3 year old and the tanks in the rooms he plays in (living room and his bedroom).  He is never allowed to throw anything other than a ball in the house (which are all too soft to do any damage other than scare a few fish) and he is never allowed to hit the tank.  He learned about hitting the tank when he was less than a year old.  He hit it, I put him on the floor where he couldn't see the tank and I was clearly not happy.  He got the message.  We occasionally have to remind him not to throw things but they throwing is usually aimed at the couch and not the tank.

Every kid is different and everyone has slightly different rules in their homes.  You know your kids, so make the decision based on their activity.  I've seen how hard things can be launched by small children, so I would possibly not put one in the play room.  Again, it all depends on your kids

There is a way around it...build a cabinet with a sheet of pexi glass over the front so IF things are thrown around, they hit the pexi glass and not the tank glass!

[sas]

Hi everyone,

I want to build a 90 gal tank in the kids play room and was wondering if it is dangours since my two boys are only 2yr old and 1yr old.




Your children aren't going to be 2 and 1 for long and they'll want to have friends over so you have to factor in supervision as they have friends over.
We had tanks when our children were young and never had an issue.
Rough housing and throwing things were left to the outdoors in our house.

[Feivel]

I taught my daughter about the importance and care required for the tank and include her in the routine activities. She is turning 4 and have had a tank set up in the living room mind you for 2 years. As long as they know the difference and are taught they will know better..... Now the friends on the other hand .... Thats a different story.

[HimSelf]

Thanks for all the good points. I agree the fact every kid is different and thank God both my kids are not too crazy. I been having success on teaching them not to touch or eat my flowers and indoor plants. I hope this will also be true with the fish tank. However I have learned kids can be unpredictable as well.

Fishnut:

I like your idea of putting up a protection layer. I looked into security glass film but was told it has to be installed on the inside of the tank which I am not too comfortable with due to unknown chemicals.

Question:

What will be the best material to use to build a protection layer it at the same time does not obstruct view and coloration?

[daworldisblack]

What if you built your stand tall enough that they wouldn't be able to reach to hit the glass. As for things getting thrown I guess its always a risk. I also think age of kids don't matter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1CVLZkIIcg I've worked at summer camps with kids and each is different from the other so its a risk but if its a 90Gallon, i'd think the glass would be thicker so perhaps soft-toys hitting the glass may not affect it as much as perhaps a 5Gallon with thinner glass?

[HimSelf]

FYI: Im planing to build a in wall tank

[Nerine]

I lay down the law when my nieces and nephews come over, no touching my tanks or there's severe punishment!

no rough housing and no throwing in our house!! I have had 2 tanks in my sons room since his birth, he respects his fish and loves them! just ensure guests are properly informed! no tapping on the tank or throwing toys/high sticking in the house!

Sounds like fun a 90 g in a playroom!!

[washefuzzy]

I'd be more worried of it potentially tipping over...

I don't think a 900lb tank is going to tip over. 

[bitterman]

If you are going to put it in a kids play area, as mentioned above rules are good, additionally you might want to get a tank for commercial areas. They have thicker glass hence a larger safety factor, but it will cost you!

In my basement wall I have a 195 gallon tank. It has 3/4" thick glass, that being said I still worry.

If your going for a big tank it can almost double the cost.  Acrylic might also be an option but the problem is it scratches so easy.

Bruce

[Cbellehumeur]

my dogs tail has cracked and exploded a 50 gallon tank before. I was home so i was able to save all the fish.  my 90 gallon tank now is 3/4 glass so i don't have to worry about it. or you could go acrylic!

[jimskoi]

Just go with tempered glass.

[Feivel]

And,thats what happens when you dont cut your rotweilers tail at birth lmao kidding.... But wow as if. What kind of dog. I know some have quite some power behind them.

[Cbellehumeur]

And,thats what happens when you dont cut your rotweilers tail at birth lmao kidding.... But wow as if. What kind of dog. I know some have quite some power behind them.

A great dane, lol. i think he was tall enough to hit it in the right spot

[blueknight0303]

a good stand preferably a furniture/wooden cabinet stand. and make it tall so that the kids cant reach the top or throw something ontop. kids are unpredictable but if they are disciplined well and taught about the risks of what they do then maybe, emphasize on "maybe", maybe everything will turn out fine i hope =)

[Dakotamay]

I agree with everyone when they say that discipline and teaching are key.

We have a now 8 year old little guy who has severe ADHD they call it combined type as well as Conduct Disorder and is on the Autism Spectrum Aspberger's.  We got into saltwater when he wasn't quite 5. We incorporated him into picking the fish and other inhabitants for the tank. He has a skunk cleaner shrimp in there that he picked as one of the first inhabitants. He loves that shrimp dearly and so understands he needs to respect Shrimpy's home (his name for it lmao).
That being said. You could try that with your kids. Let each of them pick out a special reasonable tank inhabitant that they can call their own and help care for. It gives them a little more interest in ensuring that their pet is well cared for and safe.
Our little guy also has a clam in there now too. Loves his clam and calls it clammy lol.