Fix or replace leaking tank?

[jwarcop]

Well - after about 1 1/2 months into my project working on this larger tank, it seems I have a small leak. It is probably a pin-hole size somewhere in the bottom seal. I has filled up the bottom trim and is dripping. I have salt creep all the way around the bottom of the tank. Booooooo.

Has anyone had sucess in fixing a leak like this? I'm about 70% positive I know which side of the tank the leak is coming from. But since silicone doesn't bond very well to old silicone, I think I may just prolong it from eventually happening again. Thoguhts?

I can fix the secondary seal in the tank, but if water is seaping between the glass, I don't know of any way of fixing that. First problem would be to remove the black trim, which is a chore in itself.

I'm still debating...I like the tank, but don't want it to happen again in 6 months when it is up and running..

 

[BlackOnyx]

do you wanna fix it a 2nd time?

Go for new. Any LFS here is happy to sell a tank. Twist their arm or say your going down the street for your tank.

 

[stevebydac]

I'm not a tank builder/repairer, so take this for what it is worth to you...my opinion is, unless you are CERTAIN you can fix this, dump it and get a new tank. I would have have a hard time sleeping at night, or going to work every day, if I wasn't 100% sure my tank was secure. Think about the nightmare of having a tank full of life emptying. It's well worth the several hundred dollars to have a new tank and peace of mind.

 

[PatMayo]

All glass tanks are pretty inexpensive. I recently purchased a 90 Gallon AGA for $276.00 from the LFS. Headache free. Give me time to work on the tank and my skills to keep the tank rather than other things.

IMHO.

Regards,

Pat

 

[Zigzag Man]

Keep in mind that it's not wise to patch a leaking seam on an old tank... you essentially need to remove the entire pane and re-seal the whole end.

Chances are if one end of the silicone is starting to fail, the rest will start to leak too... this is due to the fact that the patched end is no longer supporting the weight of the water, and the remaining silicone on the seam is being stressed with the added weight.

Re-sealing the pane isn't as hard as it sounds... you just need to slice the seams with a razor, remove the pane, scrape off 'all' of the old silicone, reapply the new silicone, replace the pane (probably with a helper), then clean off the excess silicone and let it cure for a few days.

If you continue to try to patch it, you could be in for a disaster, as the whole seam lets loose and empties 100 gallons of saltwater all over your house.

 

[wenright]

Try posting on the Atlanta Reef Club site. I know a couple people in Georgia that are capable of repairing the tank for you and have experience removing and replacing the trim. Good Luck.

 

[Zigzag Man]

Oh yeah... I kinda forgot about the trim.
You need to remove that too...

 

[jwarcop]

Decision made

Decision made

Thanks for the responses.

I'm going to get another tank, probably make a trip to the LFS today. I'll probably end up getting a new stand too.

Here I go, off to get a 48x24x20 glass.

 

[jwarcop]

Ohh.. and as for this tank - I will explore repair options, it may get repaired and end up as a sump/fuge somewhere else in the house..

 

[jwarcop]

Ok - I'm totally revisting the repair option considering the price of a new tank!

I'm looking to completely scape out the silicone on the entire inside of the tank, and replacing with new. funfun..