Tropical Fish Keeping banner

Aquarium water and products?

2K views 8 replies 5 participants last post by  bettababy 
#1 ·
Hello everybody,

i really , REALLY want to maintain my aquariums but my parents won't let me.
They say that it is unsafe to do for a child of 12.
In your opinion are there any hazzards that I should know of in maintaining the aquariums?
and also are the chemicals which you use to Alter the Ph and stuff lie that dangerous as well?
Thanks for you help! :thumbsup:
 
#2 ·
Hi flat im just a year older than you and the hazards of an aquarium can be simple always read the instruction ,keep the lids on chemicals ,always get enough people to carry a new tank and the basic becareful for dangerous fish, becareful to check the electrical applicances for any faults and the general dont swallow meds but most fish are way less hazadous then most of your every day non fish pet.
 
#4 ·
Here are the following hazards I can think of.:wink2:
1. Medicines
Meds like methylene blue should be stored away from reach of children. Children are often fascinated by the color of the liquids and may likely consume them which can be dangerous.:blink: Best not to buy meds until needed.
2. Muriatic acid
We used it to remove calcium deposits and being an acid, it can cause burns and irritation when touched.
3. Electricity
Make sure your electrical cords are not worn-out. Short circuits can be fire hazards.:blueshake: Another thing worth considering are your lights. Shield your lights as fish tend to splash them which can cause malfunctioning and eventually become a fire hazard.
Click here for PFK's news. Arson by fish.:checkedout: :wink2:
4. Glass shards
Be careful when dealing with broken glass. Sometimes you might accidentally knock out your glass or there is a tank leakage. It is best to be cautious when handling broken glass.
5. Wounds
This is largely debatable.:wink2: A lot of people tend to dip their hands and arms with open wounds.:blink:

Whatever happens we do not know.:dunno: A lot of people believe fish TB can be transmitted but this is not usually the case as fish TB is far different from human TB.:wink2: One thing I would be wary is salmonella. It is a disease caused by contaminated water which already contains fish poo and urine.:blink:
 
#6 ·
quote blue:
5. Wounds
This is largely debatable.:wink2: A lot of people tend to dip their hands and arms with open wounds.:blink:

Whatever happens we do not know.:dunno: A lot of people believe fish TB can be transmitted but this is not usually the case as fish TB is far different from human TB.:wink2: One thing I would be wary is salmonella. It is a disease caused by contaminated water which already contains fish poo and urine.:blink:[/color][/quote]

is it okay to put your hands in fish water if you have no cuts on either arms?
 
#8 ·
flatcam1 said:
quote blue:
5. Wounds
This is largely debatable.:wink2: A lot of people tend to dip their hands and arms with open wounds.:blink:

Whatever happens we do not know.:dunno: A lot of people believe fish TB can be transmitted but this is not usually the case as fish TB is far different from human TB.:wink2: One thing I would be wary is salmonella. It is a disease caused by contaminated water which already contains fish poo and urine.:blink:[/color]
is it okay to put your hands in fish water if you have no cuts on either arms?[/quote]
Yes, and anyway, I doubt it is quite common to see people getting diseases because of "contaminated" water touching their wounds.
Still, we have to be careful.:wink2:
 
#9 ·
The big risks of salmonella is with reptiles, not fish. If you wash your hands with soap after being in the tank, everything should be fine.
If it's of any help to you, please tell your parents that all 3 of my children were raised doing aquarium maintenance, and it has never been an issue. My 10 yr old daugher now has her own tank and her own betta in a bowl, meaning she tanks care of them completely. I don't worry about glass because her tank is acrylic, and she's careful with the bowl.
I have found that letting my kids do the tank maintenance they learn more, including how to appreciate life. I have been putting my hands into fish tanks daily for more than 15 years, with and without cuts and other injuries. It has never made me sick. I can find no logical reason to not let a child do their own maintenance. With medications, that is another story, and best left to an adult. Some people have allergies to some forms of fish medications, and that can mean anything from a mild rash or itching to severe burning of the skin and other illnesses. But, if a tank is healthy and well cared for, fish carefully selected, properly quarantined... there is usually little need for medications to be used. I have a tank that has been running for almost 10 yrs now, and has never once had medications put into it. It's still thriving with the original fish.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top