what to do with a leaking tank-URGENT

DJ-don · Post by **DJ-don** » 12 Oct 2009, 11:52

As the title suggests what would u do in this situation?
last month i got a second hand tank. it is 125 litres. it has 10 kg of of small gravel across the tank a few small plants some mopani and driftwood and 3 pvc pipes and just today it started leaking on its side and i located 2 points were droplets of water is coming out. will the tank eventually brake due to the pressure etc? this is reall urgent please help!

Martin S · Post by **Martin S** » 12 Oct 2009, 12:01

Obviously the first thing to do is to lower the water to below the points it's leaking. You would realistically need remove the glass panel, clean the edges of any old silicone sealer and replace the panel using new aquarium grade silicone sealer. I've never done this, so can't say how easy it is in reality.
HTH
Martin

DJ-don · Post by **DJ-don** » 12 Oct 2009, 13:43

Martin S wrote:Obviously the first thing to do is to lower the water to below the points it's leaking.

but the thing is its leaking from the bottom right corner up a few 10 cms or so. i just removed all driftwood and etc and i just have left the gravel and the 2 filters in the tank and there is still some water in the tank

Martin S · Post by **Martin S** » 12 Oct 2009, 16:14

In that case you need to empty it, and get it sorted once it's clean and dry.
It will need some space, and some patience, as well as some way to clamp the newly glued glass to it's sides. As I said, not something I'd attempt - would either replace the tank, or pay someone to fix it - if you bodge it and it fails later it will make an awful mess, as well as be dangerous with electrics etc.
Good luck
Martin

apistomaster · Post by **apistomaster** » 12 Oct 2009, 17:21

If no cracks in the glass are visible then all you should have to do is drain, dry and completely remove all the interior silicone seal and then reseal with new silicone. Use a razor blade to remove all you can then scrub the areas with acetone to completely clean the glass of residual silicone before resealing. Use masking tape to get an neat seal then apply the silicone, spread it with your finger then immediately remove the masking tape and your tank should be as good as new and ready to refill within 24 to 48 hours.

Post by **Shane** » 12 Oct 2009, 19:23

Larry's method is the best way to fix the tank and keep it looking good. If looks are not important (i.e. for a fishroom tank), drain, dry, put new silicone over the old, let it dry 48 hours and use it again. A tube of silicone and an applicator gun will set you back less than US $20 at a local hardware store. Make sure the silicone is aquarium safe and not treated with anti fungal chemicals for bathroom/kitchen use.
-Shane

AlvinBrockway · Post by **AlvinBrockway** » 13 Oct 2009, 08:38

i have attempted fixing a leaking tank before, 55 gallon i got in a bad deal on craiglist, anyhow as suggested i used a razor to remove all the old silicone, then acetone to clean the glass, then i put a small fan inside the tank and cranked it on high for 24 hours. I applied the new silicone with my finger, and again put the fan in to help it dry, 24 hours with a fan, 24 hours with no fan i moved the tank outside to test it. Filled it with water and amazingly(i was skeptical) it held water for 3 days with no leaks. I emptied the tank, brought it inside, and began setting it back up, it held water for another 5-6 hours and a very small leak occured. I called my LFS and ordered a brand new 55g and put the old one in the garage, my best advice would be to buy a new tank.

DJ-don · Post by **DJ-don** » 13 Oct 2009, 10:18

i've decided to get a new tank instead..... but i've managed to convince my parents for a bigger tank around 40 gallons because i dont think i could manage trying to seal back a 76cm by 46cm glass pane back onto the tank again
thanks for all the help tho
but when i get the new tank, does that mean i have to cycle the tank all over again? the filter to my opinion. has already a mass build up of biological bacteria.....

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 13 Oct 2009, 10:37

DJ-don wrote:but when i get the new tank, does that mean i have to cycle the tank all over again? the filter to my opinion. has already a mass build up of biological bacteria.....

If you can keep the filter going in some tank/tub, with some addition of an ammonia source, then you will have living bacteria in the filter, which will if not completely eliminate the cycling process, at the very least shorten it by a fair amount.

--
Mats

DJ-don · Post by **DJ-don** » 13 Oct 2009, 11:17

MatsP wrote:
DJ-don wrote:but when i get the new tank, does that mean i have to cycle the tank all over again? the filter to my opinion. has already a mass build up of biological bacteria.....
If you can keep the filter going in some tank/tub, with some addition of an ammonia source, then you will have living bacteria in the filter, which will if not completely eliminate the cycling process, at the very least shorten it by a fair amount.

--
Mats

thanks mats but i have 2 70 litre tanks and the filter i used was a rena 30! maybe i could squeez it into 1 of th tanks!

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 13 Oct 2009, 11:28

Yes, just attach it to another existing tank.

--
Mats

what to do with a leaking tank-URGENT

what to do with a leaking tank-URGENT

Re: what to do with a leeking tank-URGENT

Re: what to do with a leeking tank-URGENT

Re: what to do with a leaking tank-URGENT

Re: what to do with a leaking tank-URGENT

Re: what to do with a leaking tank-URGENT

Re: what to do with a leaking tank-URGENT

Re: what to do with a leaking tank-URGENT

Re: what to do with a leaking tank-URGENT

Re: what to do with a leaking tank-URGENT

Re: what to do with a leaking tank-URGENT