Fish tank for Autistic Child

[msjinkzd]

What about an albino bristlenose?

P.S. If you need donations, let me know. I donate livestock for two good deeds a quarter and would be happy to do so for you.

 

[bradlgt21]

Thanks msjnkzd I will check out your stock list and see if there are any they are interested. You do have some nice yellow tetras and rasboras. I thought of a BN but with how much they hide I don't know. I own 2 in my tank and only see them if I really sit around and watch but they hide when they see movement.

 

[bradlgt21]

The plan for the tank is nothing huge likely 20 gallon because I don't want this to be hard to maintain on the family. I don't want to stock it heavy either so want to keep the bioload light for that reason. Fake plants really as easy as I can make it on them.
He is still young so they don't know how severe he is, just after he started talking and stuff he regressed and they took him in and he was diagnosed. Now he just acts very shy and freaks out on rare occasions.

To those who stressed childproofing it and it potentially being dangerous I was thinking about this too. I have a fish store stand I was going to give them but think I need to reinforce it from the inside with 2x4's because they are made cheap. Maybe put a lock on the door but how do you child proof the top? Even if I make a canopy can't he figure out how to get it open? Or will a canopy with a door on top be enough. I plan on getting one of those lights with a lid built in, plastic not glass.

 

[vwill279]

A canopy with a door would be a good idea. Then you can get one of those child cabinet lock things so that he cant open it. If you havent purchased the tank yet, I would look into acrylic maybe. That way if he throws something at it it is less likely to break. Not saying he would, but the one autistic kid I knew could throw some massive fits and anything glass was kept well out of reach or locked up. He even broke a window once. The downside to acrylic besides cost is that it scratches so easily. I guess it would depend on exactly how he reacts to things and the level of his autism. Petsmart carries Seaclear, which has a whole line of acrylic tanks in many sizes. They are fairly expensive, but do provide more viewing space IMO than a regular glass rectangle. If cost isnt an option, I would definitely give the option to his parents.

 

[livebearerfreak]

ok i found somthing useful to put, from an autistic guy, take him to the LFS and see what he likes, have him look at one fish ( center piece fish ) and see if it would beable to go with the tank. i never thought i would be hooked on africans, but now i am... my main ones are peacocks and haps. some mbunas ( yellow labs and such ) and BN plecos! which is starting to take my 2nd faverite but hooked on peacocks and haps. but i may have a stock that may work for your friends son..

1 ram ( center peice )
8 neons
6 harliquin rosboras
1 BN pleco ( yes they do hide alot but thats normal ) or 6 corys of some sort
8 to 10 shrimp of some sort
a snail or two


being autistic has helped in this hobby alot.. one of my biggest hobbys... obbsessed with it, infact im not ashamed of having autism.. cause its helped me alot through out life.. but theres my thought on stock for him. glad to hear you guys helping him out!!

 

[tolawdjk]

Great to hear it was an early diagnosis. The success stories you hear about all have a common theme in early diagnosis.

I wouldn't stress too much about childproofing the physical tank. Glass is glass and there isn't much you can do about that.

In terms of lids, I would look at a versa top with a strip light. Here is my reasoning. Those plastic all in ones, while convient, could be damaged and then you have the lid/light being jostled into the tank. My thought, and it is dependent on the parents, is to put a versa over it, then wall mount of ceiling mount the light above the tank. Then if he manages to get into or break the lid, you don't have as great a chance of the light getting into the water.

Food, test kits, and dechlor...a good sealing rubbermade able to fit on a top shelf or cabinet. Can't over feed if you can't get to the food.

No idea on how you are going with filters, but if you use a canister, I would put it in a 29 gal rubber made tote under the stand. Or an open valve a couple inches under the waterline on the intake side to prevent syphoning issues.

 

[andyjh]

My wife teaches a classroom of children with multiple disabilities including autism. A number of years ago I set her up with a "classroom tank" and while I don't have scientific evidence, she tells me it has a real calming effect on the kids.