Aquarium Safety

[ensiferous]

I recently set up a 29 gallon a few weeks ago with the intent to build a stand and place it in a certain room. But due to time and space restraints, it isn't going where I originally planned. I moved it into the living room which it is now in reach of my 3 year old and my 8 month old 100 pound chocolate lab and I fear that one of them will accidentally tip it over. So I was wondering if I can get suggestions for a sturdy yet affordable stand that I can just buy. I would also appreciate any other safety tips to make it child/clumsy pup resistant.

 

[Blueiz]

Perffecto stands are really sturdy. I ddont think you have to worry about a dog tipping it over, nor a three year old. A 29 gallon tank will weigh well over 300 pounds when full.

Teach your kid not to mess with it, Ive taught mine not to even touch my tanks. Do the same with your dog. Youll find that the dog nor kid will bother it for the most part. I do suggest you keeping all the food, chemicals, and such well out of reach of the kid so you don't have the situation where he/she tried to "help" you take care of the fish.

Out of five tanks, a child growing up (shes 5 now) and several dogs and cats in the house, the only accident that Ive had is my girl feeding my fish a whole container of food.

 

[snoopy65]

Just make sure whatever stand you put it on is higher than your labs wagging tail. I know my male has a killer tail swing! I agree with blueiz on the ability of either the child or the dog being able to knock it over. I have a 7 and 3 year old and they have been taught not to mess with the tanks. I occasionally get finger and nose prints from the kids on the front glass but that is about it. My 2 labs 70 and 105 lbs ignore them completely.

 

[swinneyw]

i made a stand with center blocks (concrete blocks) 3 stacks of four cut a piece of ply wood a little longer and wider than your aquarium use thick plywood put a piece of carpet on top of the ply wood cover it with a table cloth let the table cloth hang to the floor in the front so the concrete blocks are hid with the aquarium full of water it will be very sturdy make sure the table cloth is plastic so it will be water proof

 

[crimsonmoon]

I suggest that you enforce the "no touching my tanks" rule with a taser, i found a video on facebook (posted by my brother) of my 20 year old brother and one of his friends reaching into my goldie tank with their hands and pulling the fish out of the water to watch them flop around...i would also suggest keeping an eye on guests that come over, especially little kids that come with the adults. I can't tell you how many times they have tried to "cure my sick fishies" by pouring soap into the water, feeding them whole containers of food, etc...just a little warning

 

[msouth468]

It takes a lot to tip over an aquarium because of the weight. If you check to make sure the tank is level then you should be ok. But, if you really are wanting to be safe. Then you could get a couple of nylon straps and attach them to the base of the aquarium with fasteners and then to a stud in your wall with a small lag bolt and large washer. That would really keep the tank from tipping over. Just make sure the nylon straps are up as far on the base as possible.

 

[bushwhacker]

rolled up newspaper, every time the kid or the pup get near the tank smack em lol just kiddin bout the kid

 

[Captnslapy]

You could get some metal braces and go from the top of the stand to the wall. Of course find a stud. That should be more then enuff to stop it from tipping. I've had tanks with all my kids and there have been some close calls but never one being knocked over.

 

[abovethestorm]

Hello, I just wanted to throw something into the mix. I have a 29g tank set up and it is a little more sturdy than one might think. I had a bit of an accident about 2 weeks ago with a wet floor. I slipped and stumbled head first into the tank and it didnt budge more than a little sloshing water. It would take quite a bit of force to knock it over. Believe me the tank won our fight and im not exactly a tiny person, my bruses have just now faded. heh

 

[mdel747]

Stand

my 2 cents

I built my own stand with stuff i had in the back shed

if you have any wood working experience , its a easy build ,
I won't go into now unless some one wants plans or cut list for one
with a how to ,,

mine I'm planning raised panels for the sides and cabinet doors ,
but that's a little more advanced ,

but the basic stand is easy and sturdy here is a pic of it so far ,
you could always put a skirt around it