Knocking over a tank

[iwishtofish]

I like both ideas, but I think the "bar ledge" style fits in with the steps I had envisioned. That way kids can get up there and look into the tank from either side without pulling up a chair, etc. I'm guessing the additional support will come from having the two "short" ends of the bottom frame extended by about 12"-14" on either side to begin the framework of the steps.

Thanks for everyone's input that helped me decide what to do. I'm leaning towards the argument that the tank would indeed be very hard to knock over, but I just can't rule it out.

 

[reefscape15]

It's never something that "won't" happen, but it is pretty unlikely.

 

[Blown76mav]

I have come home to one of our friends kids hanging (trying to climb up) my 65g in the living room one day. Needless to say that friend and her kid will no longer be coming over. But the tank didn't tip, or break. Not sure how long the kid was trying to get up the tank but I believe its the first time she had been spanked.

 

[r-balljunkie]

I think one of the factors is what the tank is sitting on, I.e foam pad, carpeting bs. Hardwoods. This changes the game quite a bit

 

[Blown76mav]

Yep the flooring does play a big part, mine was on hardwood floors.

 

[ReefTECK]

Post removed

 

[smiller]

ReefTECH,

A comment as tasteless as yours is not welcome here. Please think before you post on this site.

 

[cuda70bill]

I have a 90 gallon with kids running around all day not counting their friends so you wont have a problem, my tank is over a 1000 pounds with rock and sand and the official weight of water per gallon is Weight of 1 US Gallon of water = approx. 8.35 lb , there you go

 

[iwishtofish]

I think one of the factors is what the tank is sitting on, I.e foam pad, carpeting bs. Hardwoods. This changes the game quite a bit

This stand will be on a low-pile carpet with a carpet pad underneath. All on top of concrete.

The carpet is really what had me so concerned initially, although I'm guessing the weight is going to compact everything pretty well right down to the concrete. That, and the fact it will be a peninsula setup, hence no wall to stop things.

 

[aquaman67]

I moved my 29 gallon when it was about 1/2 full. It was on carpet and would have tipped over very easily. (No Sump)

I think 18" or wider tank will be harder to tip.

Skinny 55 or 29 gallon tanks are much easier to tip.

I have a 50 gallon Oceanic now and it seems much harder to tip.

 

[Mrbeachbum2]

I moved my 29 gallon when it was about 1/2 full. It was on carpet and would have tipped over very easily. (No Sump)

I think 18" or wider tank will be harder to tip.

Skinny 55 or 29 gallon tanks are much easier to tip.

I have a 50 gallon Oceanic now and it seems much harder to tip.

Exactly. I'm under 200 pounds and I probably couldn't knock my 75 G over with a sump. I could hang on the tank and it'd most likely be OK.

 

[salty joe]

If you feel any movement when you push the top of the tank, that is reason for concern. As someone mentioned, leverage is a big deal. My experience tells me kids can be rowdy creatures with 0 common sense.

I was concerned that my exitable toddler that did goofy things might end up dead under my 75g. So I made some wodden spacers that fit between the wall and the top of the stand and drove some long screws through the back of the stand, through the spacers and into wall studs. Then it was rock solid and I could sleep at night.

 

[iwishtofish]

Thanks again, everyone, for sharing your input, suggestions, and experiences.

 

[ebruce01]

I have always wondered what would happen if my son hit the tank with a metal thomas the train toy?!? With the tank on carpet though that would be of some concern. If the front glass was hardened or not would that make a difference. Breaking glass and kids is a huge nightmare for me. Anybody ever have something like this happen???

 

[Mikep503]

No worries about knocking it over but I have had the front glass broke on a 125! Water rushed out and splashed into the plug ins in the wall zaping the power and placing 8 of us in the living room in the dark, with 125 gallons of salt water and glass on the floor. That makes a looooong night!

 

[Daniel Reef]

How did the glass break?

 

[bigreefnutt]

As long as you make sure the base of the tank is properly supported you wont have any problems

 

[andrewk529]

is putting the tank in-wall an option?

 

[quickgray02]

If they do you have some big kids.

 

[iwishtofish]

No worries about knocking it over but I have had the front glass broke on a 125! Water rushed out and splashed into the plug ins in the wall zaping the power and placing 8 of us in the living room in the dark, with 125 gallons of salt water and glass on the floor. That makes a looooong night!

That's awful, Mike503! How did that break - was it stress, or external influence?

is putting the tank in-wall an option?

Not really, I'm pretty set on a peninsula style so people can walk around 3 sides.

If they do you have some big kids.

There are big kids everywhere!