Is this recursive reference with tuples safe?

I'm experimenting and wrote this monster:

class my_tuple : public std::tuple < std::vector<my_tuple> > {};

And it compiles and actually works, it seems. And I find it dodgy because the following doesn't compile:

using my_other_tuple = std::tuple < std::vector<my_other_tuple> > ;

Ultimately, I'm trying to wrap my head around why my_tuple works and if there's any potential terrible consequences. I'm trying to learn what tuples are all about and what I can/am supposed to do with them. So if anyone would care to comment on that, give some nifty insights, I would appreciate it.

Windows 7 and VS 2013.