Elodea

Somebody tell me if I'm starting too many threads...Anyways, we had a 4.1 earthquake today. Luckily, the earthquake wasn't too strong in my area, just a lot of shaking. Unfortunately, it shook up my aquarium pretty badly, too, though there was no damage (other than a bunch of terrified fish). I live near the earthquake zone in California, so does someone know if it is possible to reinforce the tank so it won't break during an earthquake? Or is the aquarium in no reasonable danger?

Lucy

Wow, great question and a first since I've been here, I think.
I'm glad all is well with you.
Hope someone can give you some pointers.

Martinismommy

This is the only thing I don't miss about being in So Cal! Last earthquake I experienced was when I lived in Palm Springs...I had a salt water tank and a massive pool out back.....The water went sloshing all over out of both the pool and then tank but all ended up OK.....

I think the biggest thing to worry about is that your tanks are secure and won't tumble over when the big one hits.....I think it would take an aweful lot of force to knock a tank off the stand....And actually, if that happens you will probably be more worried about the humans......

I've lived in CA all my life and experienced some of the biggest shakers in history...I always had tanks and none of them went flying.....What size is your tank and what is it on?

Elodea

Well, it's a 10 gallon but doesn't really have a stand. It's on a stone counter.

Red1313

Hmmm... I don't know if I'be ever read anything like that...
Some Idea's would likely be:
1) don't put things where they could fall on the aquarium...
2) make sure that items in the aquarium are stable and not likely to fall and damage the glass
3) make sure that the stand isn't overly high the closer to the ground the lower it's centre of balance the more stable it's "likely" to be.
4) Make sure the stand is sturdy and stable. I have a stand that works fine but if I was in an earthquake area... I'd probably secure it to the wall to keep it from tipping forward...

I don't know if any of those idea's make sense or are helpful but those are what come to mind...

Interesting question.

lol ninga'd TWICE!

ray_sj

I'm in NorCal, and Red has some good advice. I think the most important thing is that your tank does not tip over, or shift off the stand and fall on someone. On all my tank stands, I added a lip that completely surrounds the base of the tank so it can't slide off. All the stands are then secured to the wall (at the top and bottom) with high strength straps and eye bolts.

If the earthquake overcomes those precautions, I'd say you'll have other more urgent things to worry about..

Meenu

I'd also say have an idea of how you'll handle your tank in the event of prolonged electricity loss after an earthquake.

Elodea

Thanks for the advice, but as the tank's on a counter, I don't think that lip idea would help. Prolonged electricity loss...when are they going to invent those battery-powered filters? jk

Furallicah

Good point! If im not misstaken do they not make a lot of battery opperated filters, heater, and air pumps? If they do I would invest in a few with a couple of packs of batteries laying around But as for reforcing your tank....I'm not sure. You could have a tank made with thicker glass....idk lol

aquarist48

Glad to hear you're ok Elodea! Wow! This is a new one for me as well. Sounds like some good ideas in previous posts. There sure is a lot of creepy things happening in the world right now.
Furallicah I checked with a couple of aquarium suppliers previously and they have never heard of battery powered heaters or filters. I have battery powered air supply lines but that's it. Maybe someone will develop the others one of these days.
Stay safe everyone!
Ken

Furallicah

Huh...well darn. They need some battery opperated filters that would be a must for any fish emergency kit

aquarist48

I agree furallicah. I think battery powered filters and heaters would be wonderful to have as a back up for power outages. Maybe one of these days....
Ken

Butterfly

Isn't there some kind of thing all those can be plugged into thats battery powered. It's usually used for a computer. like a battery back-up AARRRGGHH i can't think of what it's called.
Found it! UPS-uninterruptable power supply but the down side is the smaller ones only run for about 15 minutes.
Carol