Table of Contents
Feeding and caring for the fish regularly is an important task that your children must fulfill. Careful planning is therefore very important. Aquariums are also particularly well suited if no other animals can be kept because of an allergy to animal hair. In addition, it takes much less time than keeping other animals.
Aquaristics for children explained in individual steps:
- 1. Who is responsible for the children's aquarium?
- 2. Planning – what all needs to be considered?
- 3. Which location is the right one?
- 4. Which pool (aquarium) is suitable for children?
- 5. Which fish are used?
- 6. How to set up the aquarium?
- 7. Why does a run-in phase have to be observed?
- 8. What happens after the fish move into the aquarium?
- 9. Children's Aquarium
1. Who is responsible for the children's aquarium?
The aquarium contains living animals and is therefore not a toy. Keeping the fish in the aquarium requires good care. You have to convey to the child that when buying an aquarium, they also have obligations and have to take responsibility. And that for several years. The animals depend on the child's care. By taking care of the animals, the child learns to take responsibility and the sense of duty is encouraged.
If the parents decide to fulfill the children's wish (an own aquarium), the parents have the duty to support the children with words and deeds. It is also important that you always support the child if they have questions or need help. It is an advantage if the parents, close relatives or friends are familiar with aquaristics. If someone is familiar with aquaristics, they can give the children help and advice on the tasks. Children should be at least 10 years old. The children should learn how to care for and feed the fish in a playful way.
2. Planning – what all needs to be considered?
After deciding that the children can have pets, you should also be involved in planning, animal selection, and the aquarium. The children should express their wishes. The children develop an understanding of the demands of the animals. This usually makes it easier for the children to take care of their new roommates.
3. Which location is the right one?
The children usually want the aquarium to be set up in their room. Some manufacturers specialize in aquariums that are specially made for children and are an eye-catcher for the children's room. These include, for example, the "Minion Aquarium" or "Captain Bluebear Aquarium". However, note a few points that are necessary for setting up an aquarium:
- No direct sunlight - overheating of the water or increased growth of algae
- easy for the child to see – consider the height of the location
- Children shouldn't romp too loudly in front of the aquarium or it shouldn't be in a place where there is constant through traffic - the animals are easily frightened
- Note the weight of the aquarium - therefore a substructure is required that is stable
- a small tank (54 liters) can weigh up to 70 kilograms - with substrate and decoration
- small or large tank - a small aquarium is no easier to maintain than a large tank, as the ecosystem in a large aquarium is more stable
4. Which pool is suitable for children?
Most want a small basin to save space in the nursery. An important factor to consider is that a larger tank has better and more stable water parameters. Especially when the children take care of the aquarium, there can be small maintenance mistakes that an aquarium has to cope with. In a small aquarium, too much food can cause the water in the aquarium to tip over quickly and even lead to the death of the fish. A large tank usually handles this better.
Buying a nano aquarium for children is not recommended. It is better to buy an aquarium with a volume of 54 liters. The edge length is about 60 centimeters. It is an aquarium for beginners.
Starter sets are usually offered with the associated technology. The scope of delivery of the aquarium includes: filter, heating rod, lighting, thermometer and lid. Child-friendly versions can also be found in stores. A timer is particularly suitable for switching the lighting on and off regularly at a specific time so that the animals have regular rest periods.
5. Which fish are used?
Particularly easy-care and robust fish are suitable for a children's aquarium. Children will spend a lot of time in front of the aquarium observing the inhabitants and their habits. Therefore, it should be fish that are easy to observe. Some fish only come out when feeding, otherwise they'd be burrowing in the sand all the time. If the aquarium is only stocked with such fish, your child will easily lose interest in observing the fish.
Ornamental fish that are active and colorful at the same time are the best stock for a children's aquarium. Guppies or platies (livebearing toothcarps) are recommended. When buying, care should be taken to ensure that the trunks are resilient and healthy. Fish that are less demanding are, for example, various types of armored catfish or Amano shrimp. It is better to think about the type of fish to be stocked in the aquarium early enough and whether they are compatible with other types of fish.
6. How to set up the aquarium?
Now it's time to design the aquarium. The underwater world should be set up according to the children's wishes. It doesn't matter whether the child wants a sunken shipwreck, a scenery from a children's series or it should stay completely natural. However, there must still be enough free space for the animals to swim. Pisces need a retreat.
So that the fish feel comfortable, plants, stones and roots in the aquarium must also be planned. The substrate should be kept as dark as possible. Light colors of the substrate can cause stress in fish.
It is important that you set up the pool together with the child. Care also includes a partial water change, which should be done every two weeks. A third of the water is always changed.
7. Why does a run-in phase have to be observed?
After everything is set up in the aquarium, the tank has been filled with lukewarm water and the technology is running, you can start. Fish are bought. Stop!! The children's patience is tested first. Why? Before you go buying the fish with the children, you must first put the aquarium through a running-in phase.
This running-in phase can last up to four weeks. This can become a great challenge for the children in terms of patience. But why is this necessary? This is important so that the water values level off so that the fish have the perfect habitat. Then the fish can be used. Choosing hardy fish is better as they are not as vulnerable. Find out in advance with the children at a specialist shop which fish are suitable.
8. What happens after the fish move into the aquarium?
After retracting the aquarium, the fish can move into their underwater world. Now the children can gradually take over the tasks. In the beginning many things should be done together. After that, more and more responsibility should be given to the children. The children especially enjoy feeding the fish. However, it can lead to the fact that the children mean well. It is better to portion the food right away.
Particular caution is required when handling electrical equipment and water. ATTENTION!! In the beginning, never let the children change the water or remove the equipment on their own. First instruct the children correctly and do this work together so that the children learn how to use it correctly.
9. Children's Aquarium
A separate underwater world for children is a very good way to take on responsibility and a sense of duty. The children can also see the fish up close. It has a calming effect on the children and is always interesting. Especially when maybe the guppy or platy couples have young ones. This is very fascinating for children. To see how the very small fish grow into beautiful colored fish. For many, it becomes a hobby that accompanies them throughout their lives. Together you will have a lot of fun if you help your child and stand by with advice and action.
core items that should be considered:
- 1. Make children aware of their responsibility
- 2. Plan for parents, relatives or friends who will support the child
- 3. Location should be chosen together
- 4. Choose the right aquarium size together
- 5. It is better to buy a beginner's complete set, the necessary technology is included here