Help!

[Pkelley228]

I am not sure, but I think my tank is leaking. It is a 29 gallon glass tank I bought at Pet store about 2 years ago. I noticed the water level going down a little fast, then noticed salt build up all around the bottom plastic frame piece. Now the bottom of the stand is damp. It isn't pouring out, but definately seeping somehow.
What do I do? Do I have to tear the whole thing down. I have live sand, live rock, inverts, fish, and coral.
Somebody give me a quick and surprisingly easy fix please.
Thanks.

 

[ol'saltybastage]

have you tried the radiator stop leak??

on a serious note. if its coming from the bottom your looking at a tear down most likely. my understanding is the only way to get a good fix is to remove the existing sealant from the leaking edge and apply new. i dont think you would have luck simply patching it as silicone doesnt like to stick to silicone.. especially silicone that has been all slimy and dirty from being under water.

 

[Pkelley228]

How would I go about actually tearing it down without killing everything in it?

 

[scbadiver]

I'd get a new tank first, then when eveything is ready, drain the tank water into a trashcan and place all your rock and critters in the can or another container at the same time. Move the old tank and put on the new. scoop the sand from one to anther, pump the wate back in, gently, and put the critters and rock back as it fills. It may stress them a little but I don't think you'd kill anything. It probably wouldn't take more than a couple hours at the most.

 

[Sk8r]

RUbbermaid buckets. Polystyrene tubs. Lots of filtration.

Have you considered dedicating the 29 to qt and just getting a tank that doesn't leak. A slow leak in a qt can be tolerated. You could transfer everything to a new, intact tank.

 

[Pkelley228]

Well, I woke my hung over buddy up, and he is going to be coming over soon to help. I am going to go to the store and get a new tank and well give it a try. Nothing like being on nights and having 2 hours of sleep going into a situation like this. Oh well. By the way, what is the avg. lifespan of a glass tank. Seems like this (2 years), kinda sucks for reliability.

 

[scbadiver]

I don't know about "average" but I'd agree with you on 2 years being pretty sad. The tank Divedog is setting up right now is about 18 years old already and still hold water fine (for now ). Good luck with it. Hope it all goes well. Keep us posted.

 

[JxMetal]

Just get a BIG tank now!

 

[trottman]

i have a 29 gallon tank that is about 20 years old. it was my dads, and it still works great

 

[Pkelley228]

I have a 90g downstairs, just not quite ready to fill up yet. This will set it back a little as well.

 

[Lost His Marbles Name]

Upgrade, you know you want to do it.

 

[Pkelley228]

I think I should probably at least fill the 90 once before I upgrade.

 

[Pkelley228]

Well everything is over into the new tank, and seems to be doing fine. really didn't go to bad at all. Still mad about the tank leaking so soon, but oh well. Just need a new ballast and I think all will be fine.

 

[scbadiver]

Good to hear! Just keep and eye on it for a few days and you may want to do a partial wate change tomorrow just in case there is any die-off in the tank.