Are Iron Stands Stable?

[souxiong]

I picked up a 135g today along with an iron stand. Are these iron stands stable and will it tip over with relative ease? I have a young nephew and am of it flipping it over.

 

[jsodwi]

I dont like those thin walled angle iron stands they seem too wobbley. Try bolting it to the wall somehow. Thats what I did with my kids tanks in their bedrooms.

 

[skjl47]

Hello; I have used more iron stands that any other type. The question of their stability will depend on the design. Some have a bit of a flair at the bottom and will likely be more stable than the kind with straight verticle legs. I do not know that iron stands are less stable than any other kind.
I have in some setups anchored such a stand to a wall stud for safety reasons for fear that a child may climb on the tank. This was in a public office.
Can the parents of the nephew be made to understand the potential danger and be expected to pkeep the child from climbing on the stand?

 

[rokit_armor]

If you can't bolt the stand directly to the studs, I would use a strap anchor, similar to this one to keep it from tipping over. I had concerns with my nephews hanging on to a 29g on an iron stand, but we just made sure they never touched the dang thing>

 

[89must]

wont tip over any easier than a wooden stand

 

[souxiong]

I have never thought about anchoring it to the wall before but it seems like a great idea. I will do all I can to prevent my nephew from trying to climb my tanks but children will be children. Thanks for the advice!

 

[bbortko]

As an electrician I install large heavy gear as well as climb on it, I cannot fathom a small child knocking over a tank that weighs 3/4 of a ton.

 

[skjl47]

Hello; While the inertia of a large mass is likely to help keep it stable and a heavy tank should not easily tip over, the porblem can be that the center of gravity is very high. Most of the weight is in the tank and water high on the stand. I take considerable care to level a stand and tank prior to filling. I also like to use solid shims, usually metal, when leveling a tank.
Some stands have a lower shelf. I often place a tank on that shelf. This adds weight down low and may help lower the cenrer of gravity. I do not have small children around and do not take the extra precautions that I would if they were going to be present.