CasioMen's G-Shock MTGM900DA-8CR Tough Solar Atomic Stainless Steel Sport Watch, Silver, MTGM900DA-8CR

Q: How loud is the alarm? can i rely on it to wake up every day like i do with my timex ironman?

no it is pretty soft and only audible if u are a light sleeper

Q: Ok so watch is waterproof, but how will stainless steel band hold up to 1hr/day of lap swimming or taking my son swimming a few hrs per pool visit?

Band is durable (no rust = nothing visible) (Weak points) plastic pieces (6 & 12 that connects to band = brown/tan/gray pieces) dry rot 1.5+ years of 24/7 use (sun, sweat...) Screws & pins (attachment points for band & links = will corrode, stiffen up... Only noticable when swapping bands/links)

Q: By chance, is there a comparable "non-metal" wrist band that works with this watch?

You might try the CASIO BLACK RESIN-OC-500-1A the band with at the watch head is 24 mm and the band that comes with the watch is 23 mm. I think it should fit.

Q: can you shower with this watch? also is there any special way to clean this?

I have been to war with this watch. In fact, I have owned this watch for more than 10 years. I have rarely taken it off at all. Will it survive a shower you ask. It has survived hours in the ocean, rivers, creeks pools, hot tubs, you name it. It is a beast. One full charge from exposure to the sun and you can go dark for 9 months without sunlight. It is hands down the best watch I have owned. The only visible difference between day now to day then is the black lettering is no longer black, it is now just the same color as the engraved stainless steel. The steel band feels like quality and it looks great.