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Advice on securing aquarium during an earthquake?

Hi everyone, We just had a slight shaker here in Southern California, and it made me wonder- what can I do to help secure an aquarium during an earthquake? Is there anything I can buy so it doesn't tip? I have a 40 gallon tall aquarium on a stand and I do worry about my fish. Thanks!

Public Comments

1. These people say the ones they make are. http://www.saltwater-aquarium.org/
2. just make sure it's on a very stable wide stand, maybe somehow secured to the wall? but like many unpredictable things, theres no way to make sure it'll be completely stable. or it will stay standing and something else will fall on top of it. maybe do a DIY stand with stronger wood/metal than what the traditional stands come with? i've always found that some stands that come with tanks look very rickity.
3. There are kits you can get at a hardware store to attach furniture to the wall studs to prevent tipping in an earthquake. With the kit, you can secure the stand, which will keep it from tipping over (I'm assuming it's a little top heavy with a tank on it). The tank itself should be less of a problem unless we have the Big One. In any shaker, you may have some sloshing, so be sure to check for fish that get washed out.
4. Unfortunately none of these kits work well when you hit 6.5 or better. My aunt has a 150 and she lives in Covina Ca. When you know a tremor or after shocks are prevelant, X taping the tank with duct tape will help. Unless your stand is secure, and you know how secure things can be in S. Cali. Be sure you have a tight cover. No pictures or shelves above the tank and not directly under windows or lighting of any kind. Tank not near anyhing that can fall on it. There are rubber shock matts that are used that will help your aquarium "give". (Yes the stores there sell them) They work wonders. Unless you have a tall tank, even anchoring it to a wall will not give you 100% security. Short wide tanks are prefered in these areas. (Sorry) Flex bars attached to the studs provide a somewhat stable flexable point for the tanks. The best form is to have a back up plan and look for the worse but hope for the best. Since earthquakes are not as predictable as reguar storms, having afew tubs to put your fish in "Just in case" as well as an alternate heat source there is only one tank that I know of that is "earthquake proof" however the expense unless you have $$$ in fish, isn't worth the cost. It is manufactured with Flex fill seems. It will twist and turn and not hurt or violate the integraty of the tank.
5. I would say for you to put the tank where it will be stable even with earthquakes