earthquakes?
- Thread starter caligal
- Start date
I would think there is NOT a way to earthquake proof your tank. I live in TORNADO ALLEY and I've often wished there was an easy way to move my tank to an underground shelter when we hear tornado sirens.
Guess it's just not doable...but I feel your fear. Not good to think about
:bouncebox
Guess it's just not doable...but I feel your fear. Not good to think about
:bouncebox
reefer gladness
Well-Known Member
Guess it all depends on the how big and what type of quake it is. There are a few things I think can improve our odds like having a very stout cabinet/stand, I feel better about having a solid oak cabinet compared to the particle board cabinet I bolted together. I also relocated all electronics into a separate cabinet with all the power connections up off the floor (hides everything too). Between the aquarium and the stand I cut a piece of rubber foam to absorb any imperfections from the stand. Earthquake straps on the cabinet wouldn't hurt but I haven't done that yet. Whenever I finally build my big custom tank it will be made from thicker glass than normally used (probably 3/4" vice 5/8"). Not sure what type of bracing yet, need to talk to some pros to find out what type of bracing would be strongest.
Reef Commando
Member
I doubt you can 'earthquake proof it'.
Any number of systems used in construction can be down sized and incorporated into a design. One factor remains....the glass. You will not add flex to it.
Any number of systems used in construction can be down sized and incorporated into a design. One factor remains....the glass. You will not add flex to it.
Camille
Member
You can't really 'earthquake proof' but you can certainly 'make life easier/safer in case of an earthquake'. We had two large earthquakes several weeks apart (6.5 and 6.6). We live about 100km or so away from the epicentres so luckily we didn't get the full force.
Earthquake one: lost water out of the tank and power on the circuit as the water went up and over and down the wall and into the plug. It also fell onto my laptop which fried itself immediately. We cleaned up and put an extension cord on the power heads and one light. Got the plug replaced a few days later and away we went.
Earthquake two: lost water again but also lost power to the whole town for about 3 or 4 hours. Had a vortech set up so I got a little bit of circulation. FYI a small amount of water can travel great distances on a concrete floor ;-)
Here's what I have set up now:
water resistant 'raincoat' for the wall plug
taped power board to stand so it doesn't move and fall into water
zip tied power board to underside of tank stand
put all random leads/plugs into a box to keep it off the floor - has a lid to stop water splashing in
moved other electrical stuff around the corner
So basically keep heaps of old towels on hand (which if you have a fish tank you probably already have these), keep electrical stuff off the floor, stop stuff from moving (tape them down), have a plan if you loose power, get a tank with a lid.... And number one rule: DON'T go and stand next to your tank thinking you can hold it up to stop the shaking - you are precious and nothing is worth risking your life. Drop, cover, hold :spinner:
Earthquake one: lost water out of the tank and power on the circuit as the water went up and over and down the wall and into the plug. It also fell onto my laptop which fried itself immediately. We cleaned up and put an extension cord on the power heads and one light. Got the plug replaced a few days later and away we went.
Earthquake two: lost water again but also lost power to the whole town for about 3 or 4 hours. Had a vortech set up so I got a little bit of circulation. FYI a small amount of water can travel great distances on a concrete floor ;-)
Here's what I have set up now:
water resistant 'raincoat' for the wall plug
taped power board to stand so it doesn't move and fall into water
zip tied power board to underside of tank stand
put all random leads/plugs into a box to keep it off the floor - has a lid to stop water splashing in
moved other electrical stuff around the corner
So basically keep heaps of old towels on hand (which if you have a fish tank you probably already have these), keep electrical stuff off the floor, stop stuff from moving (tape them down), have a plan if you loose power, get a tank with a lid.... And number one rule: DON'T go and stand next to your tank thinking you can hold it up to stop the shaking - you are precious and nothing is worth risking your life. Drop, cover, hold :spinner:
lbiminiblue
Well-Known Member
Yeah I mean if the earthquake hits close to you....I don't think there's much to save the tank. I could imagine the rockscape could tumble apart and scratch the glass/ crush corals and fish...you could bolt the rocks together with acrylic rods. I'd be inclined to think that if an earthquake did any serious damage to a house, the tank would be damaged severely, if not shattered or ruined.
Each area has its own natural disasters to worry about huh? Me? I've got hurricanes- losing power for up to weeks at a time, depending on the strength. So far, it's been a quiet season. Hope it stays like that. Best of luck with securing your tank!
Each area has its own natural disasters to worry about huh? Me? I've got hurricanes- losing power for up to weeks at a time, depending on the strength. So far, it's been a quiet season. Hope it stays like that. Best of luck with securing your tank!
I have a back-up generator & I've tested it: It works GREAT!
A few Winters back (didn't have a tank then) We had an ICE STORM and lost electric power for almost 2 weeks.
I have a wood burning fireplace to keep the room my tank is in warm, and with the generator ready, I think I'm good EXCEPT for tornados. I've seen 1st hand what they have done not too far from where I live. Nothing can save a tank (or house) from them.
I'd advise having a generator....our tanks can't sustain life very long without power.
A few Winters back (didn't have a tank then) We had an ICE STORM and lost electric power for almost 2 weeks.
I have a wood burning fireplace to keep the room my tank is in warm, and with the generator ready, I think I'm good EXCEPT for tornados. I've seen 1st hand what they have done not too far from where I live. Nothing can save a tank (or house) from them.
I'd advise having a generator....our tanks can't sustain life very long without power.
kyle4201
Active Member
^^ You felt some trimmers? lol. Got my hair cut the other day, felt some trimmers myself, .lol. JK
Each area has its own natural disasters to worry about huh? Me? I've got hurricanes- losing power for up to weeks at a time, depending on the strength. So far, it's been a quiet season. Hope it stays like that. Best of luck with securing your tank! , where at in S. Fla? Im in Dania Beach,, have we had this conversation? lollol
Each area has its own natural disasters to worry about huh? Me? I've got hurricanes- losing power for up to weeks at a time, depending on the strength. So far, it's been a quiet season. Hope it stays like that. Best of luck with securing your tank! , where at in S. Fla? Im in Dania Beach,, have we had this conversation? lollol
lbiminiblue
Well-Known Member
Nah I don't remember. South Miami, more specifically dade county.
lbiminiblue
Well-Known Member
Well of the earthquake / storm is bad enough, then yes a generator will be needed. Thing is I don't know if one can support both a reef tank and basic home needs at the same time. We've never gone through an outage with the reef tank.
Perhaps I can help you as Ive lived in Japan for 7 years and SD CA. I have been thru many earthquakes including the 2011 Tsunami and Fukushima meltdown. For about 30 days after that quake the ground continued to tremor. Each night was another small quake. A few tips:
1) Use an acrylic aquarium, much stronger and resilient when it comes to earthquakes. Glass will crack and rupture catastrophically if the ground moves enough.
2) Use anti-racking gussets on your stand. Many stands use straight pillars for support. Although they are strong vertically they will fold like a house of cards when the water starts sloshing back and forth. People dont consider this when designing most stands.
3) Have a back up generator or UPS when the power goes out.
Following these rules has made all the difference for me.
1) Use an acrylic aquarium, much stronger and resilient when it comes to earthquakes. Glass will crack and rupture catastrophically if the ground moves enough.
2) Use anti-racking gussets on your stand. Many stands use straight pillars for support. Although they are strong vertically they will fold like a house of cards when the water starts sloshing back and forth. People dont consider this when designing most stands.
3) Have a back up generator or UPS when the power goes out.
Following these rules has made all the difference for me.
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