Earthquake Safe?

[luvthebadge]

Is there anyway to safely earthquake proof a fish tank with a stand?

 

[AbbeysDad]

When in doubt, Google it out:

The Best Ways to Earthquake-Proof an Aquarium

Despite their weight, aquariums are not earthquake-proof. Water sloshing back and forth can bring an entire tank down to the floor, flooding the space and scattering broken glass, not to mention putting your fish in imminent peril. You can reduce -- but not eliminate -- the risk of earthquake...

pets.thenest.com

 

[mnccnm]

I have thought about this as well, and I am looking into ways of doing it as I have several large glass tanks running. I have read a few methods of securing the tank and stand online but can't help wondering if putting putting wood braces against the back of the tank, or straps around the tank might create "pressure points" during an earthquake and increase the possibility of breaking. Thoughts anyone?

 

[Oblio]

Suspend the tank via cables attached to a frame that is anchored in bedrock. Think of a giant swing set with the tank placed on the seat. The frame will rock while the inertia of the tank will keep it (relatively) motionless.

 

[mnccnm]

Great idea! I can't believe I hadn't thought of that. Affordable and yet so practical

 

[mnccnm]

I guess I'm hoping for someone with engineering background to comment. I question if trying to secure everything to not allow any movement won't make things possibly worse, especially in smaller earthquakes where it falling or failing is less likely. Is it better to at least strap the stand, or would strapping the stand and not the tank make the situation worse by allowing possibly allowing the tank to move on the stand. Is it better to let it all move as a whole? I know earthquakes are not an exact science, but these are the things I think about

 

[Colin_T]

Perspex, plastic or fibreglass tanks or wood tanks with glass or Perspex panels.

Have a couple of large plastic tubs in storage just in case a tank does get damaged

 

[Oblio]

I guess I'm hoping for someone with engineering background to comment. I question if trying to secure everything to not allow any movement won't make things possibly worse, especially in smaller earthquakes where it falling or failing is less likely. Is it better to at least strap the stand, or would strapping the stand and not the tank make the situation worse by allowing possibly allowing the tank to move on the stand. Is it better to let it all move as a whole? I know earthquakes are not an exact science, but these are the things I think about

Engineer here (EE not ME). I would NOT strap the tank to anything prone to flexing. The flexing would be transferred to the tank which would be more likely to break. My guess is that acrylic tanks might be more forgiving but I don't have the the background in Micky Mac (Mechanics of Materials) to say for sure.

 

[Oblio]

Great idea! I can't believe I hadn't thought of that. Affordable and yet so practical

Thinking about this a little more ...

It might not be that difficult (or expensive) to suspend a moderate size tank from joists above the tank. We did something similar for a turntable while living in an old farmhouse. Walking across the floor would nicely simulate an earthquake. Each cable would only have to support about 50 lbs. This assumes vertical cables. To reduce swaying, the cables could be run at an angle, but the tension will increase depending on the angle from vertical.

 

[GaryE]

I'm sure there would be info on this on Japanese sites, if google translate gives you anything you can read. The hobby there is still very popular, and there is a lot of seismic activity.
I'd be inclined to stick with smaller tanks and keep killifish, but I'm inclined to do that anyway in a region with very few tremors.

 

[mnccnm]

Thinking about this a little more ...

It might not be that difficult (or expensive) to suspend a moderate size tank from joists above the tank. We did something similar for a turntable while living in an old farmhouse. Walking across the floor would nicely simulate an earthquake. Each cable would only have to support about 50 lbs. This assumes vertical cables. To reduce swaying, the cables could be run at an angle, but the tension will increase depending on the angle from vertical.

These are very big tanks, good idea in principle though.

 

[mnccnm]

Perspex, plastic or fibreglass tanks or wood tanks with glass or Perspex panels.

Have a couple of large plastic tubs in storage just in case a tank does get damaged

Too late. Glass tanks are what is set up already.

 

[Ellie11]

My aunt in California has a way of strapping some heavy furnitire to the wall
I don’t know what they do, but it is online

 

[itiwhetu]

I have always built wooden stands for my tanks so there is some movement. Make sure that the tanks are away from the wall. Don't tie them down, just let them move with the earthquake. I have tanks live through 7.6 magnitude quakes, luckily, I have never had one break or crack. When a big quake strikes don't go near your tank and try to stop it moving the movement is a good thing. The other point is that if you have a large system you may have half a ton of water flying around and you don't want to be near that if the tank goes.

 

[mnccnm]

I have always built wooden stands for my tanks so there is some movement. Make sure that the tanks are away from the wall. Don't tie them down, just let them move with the earthquake. I have tanks live through 7.6 magnitude quakes, luckily, I have never had one break or crack. When a big quake strikes don't go near your tank and try to stop it moving the movement is a good thing. The other point is that if you have a large system you may have half a ton of water flying around and you don't want to be near that if the tank goes.

I see you are in New Zealand? The only place on earth that probably has more earthquakes than we do
This is kind of what I'm thinking, and attempt to stop the movement will instead cause added, uneven pressure on parts of the tank. There's really no "solution" in the event of an earthquake. Oh, and no, I wouldn't be any where near the tanks in an earthquake.