Lid ideas?

[Shana0310]

Hi, I've been thinking of possibly putting a 5 or 10 gallon in my daughters room. Im think African dwarf frogs and perhaps some neons. My concern is, she has autism, and I'd like to find a lid that would be difficult to remove. She may never try...but then again...ya never know.

I was thinking that maybe a mesh lid, like those you see on reptile tanks that snap over the edges may work. Id have to cut out for the filter and a feeding hole. Perhaps I could use a light weight LED fixture that could lay on top of the mesh? I understand evaporation could be a problem.

My plan was that I could have the light on at night where it would work much like a night light, but off during the day. She wakes several times in the night and I thought she might find it soothing to watch them until she fell back asleep.

Can anyone see where this may or may not work? Do you have any other ideas?

Not to be snippy, but...Please refrain from any "you need to teach your kid not to - fill in the blank-". Autism is a lot different from a neurotypical child and I can almost bet anything you could tell me, I've already heard, tried, and got the T-shirt. But I thank you for any advice on the tank.


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[aseradyn]

I saw a video the other day where a guy used plastic greenhouse roofing to make a lid for his tank. Maybe that could sit down inside the rim, with the mesh over the top, to reduce evaporation? I'm not sure it would actually fit, but it might be worth playing with. Or maybe a piece of plexiglass, either over or under the mesh, with a hole cut to allow daily feeding?

They make screen clips, too, which might add another layer of security.

 

[ImACoolguy]

No hate here this is a fish forum not a parenting site. Certain disabilities can make things like this difficult. I was a friend to someone with Downs Syndrome for years.

The clipping reptile lids was actually the first thing that came to mind! Some of these lids actually have feeding hatches in them.

If weekly water changes are in order, you shouldn't have to worry much about evaporation. I don't even use a lid on my 10g.


Caleb

 

[erla]

That's such a great idea! There's research that shows the calming effect of aquariums on folks with autism. If you google aquariums and autism, there's lots of resources, including things to consider, like the colors of the fish. One suggestion I saw related to the cover was to mount the light from the ceiling, so if the top does get knocked off, the light does not fall in.

 

[ScotJudd]

The lid solution aside, you could put neons lights on a timer and have them white during the day and blue at night. With the room lights out the tank is quite bright enough with blue lights to see the fish. I wondered if the day and night lighting would also help your daughter at night to see the blue lights and know it's the fishes down time. If you didn't want a timer then maybe you could switch the light colour yourself at bed time, again re-emphasising to your daughter that is a time for rest. They fish are quite calm under blue lights but still move around, quite relaxing. Also, a small air stone to pick up the blue lights is quite soporific.

This is my tank in the evening to give you an idea of the effect.
I really hope you find a workable solution, my friend is a specialist nurse and works with children with a wide range of abilities and the fish tank is always a fascinating and calming tool.


Sent from my iPad using Aquarium Advice

 

[Shana0310]

Thanks for all your great ideas. I actually bought a screen lid and clips from PetSmart the other day but sadly the clips didn't fit. I'm lucky enough to work for a manufacturing plant that has equipment that can cut the lid if I need it as well as scrap plastic sheets to put under the lid for evaporation if necessary, thanks for the suggestion. The tank is a 5.5 gallon and I have a very light weight LED strip for lighting (it also has blue lights, although they don't seem as dark as the photo). I may need to look for a locking lid...evidently they do make them. I thought I'd put a few neon's in it and a pair of African Dwarf Frogs. They are so fun to watch. I'm excited to get it set up as soon as I can figure if I can lock it. I'll keep ya posted. Thanks again! I think she will like it.

 

[Exigenn]

Im not sure how deadset you are on anything but i used to have a marineland kit from petsmart with LEDs like posted above. White daylight and blue moonlight. The blue was actually very nice. The lid also came with some sort of clips build right into the back of the lid so While lifting it would not fall. With a basic mod you could make the front not come off either unless you do it yourself.

MARINELAND® BioWheel LED Aquarium Kit | Aquariums | PetSmart

If it something your interested in it was on sale for $50 when i bought it originally so i would wait. Its full kit heater and everything.

Personally i would swap the neons for male endlers if possible, Lots of color in a very small package but its up to you. Neons are probably much more readily accessible.

 

[ScotJudd]

The plus side for neons are that they show up well under blue light so can still be seen at night.


Sent from my iPad using Aquarium Advice

 

[Exigenn]

True, could even do a few neon a few glofish depending on tank size.

 

[Shana0310]

So here it is...don't have the lid figured out. I bought the reptile one for my 5 gallon. But then decided to use the 10 gallon instead. I have 8 neons and 2 dwarf frogs. Just put them in today so they are in hiding.

I still have an elephant to add. But he keeps floating to the top so I gotta drill a hole in him.


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[Brookster123]

Very nice! I was going to reccomend those clips! I used to have them on a anole tank, they hold pretty well. Your daughter is very fortunate to have such a caring parent welcome to the forum!!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[erla]

I love the jungle theme: nicely done!

 

[ScotJudd]

Well done, your daughter must be delighted. I think we all have the feel good factor in helping a little.


Sent from my iPad using Aquarium Advice

 

[Shana0310]

Thank you everyone! I think she likes it. I like it. I have an elephant to add but he floats to the top. Gotta figure out how to drill a hole in him or something.

I don't think I bought the right frogs. I wanted ADF. When I've had them in the past they were very active and fun to watch. These guys just hide mostly. They rarely swim to the top for air. I think might have clawed frogs (pic in another post). The label at the store just said "dwarf" and the dimwit that I asked said they weren't clawed.

Well thanks again for the help. So far she hasn't bothered the lid, but now that I've said it out loud, she probably will.


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[Shana0310]

Ok..last pic. I added the elephant. I think he makes the whole tank.


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[54seaweed]

I love the safari theme