leaking 240 gallon. How to fix it?

[kdv9tb]

I have a 240 gallon aquarium (purchased new in May 2012), that has a leak already. The tank manufacture is not being helpful and not going to do anything, even though the tank is still under warranty. The fish store I got it from is being an even bigger pain, and telling me that the tank isn't leaking, but that I just have it filled to full. They haven't even seen the leak, they are just assuming I am making it up. My question to all you smarter than me people, is if I can just replace the silicone where the tank is leaking? The tank is leaking from the top seal, about 5 feet from one side, and 3 feet from the other. Can I just cut the top trim off, and reseal the top? I can't find the exact spot, but it looks as though it is from right under a cross support.

any advice you all can give me? I don't have the funds to replace the tank right now, so I have to make this work.

Thanks for the help/ suggestions!

 

[billdogg]

A picture would help, but if I understand you correctly, it is not leaking from a corner seam, but rather it is leaking from some point near the middle of the tank at the top, underneath the trim. If this is the case, you can almost certainly fix it by injecting silicone into the space between the plastic frame and the glass, but you will have to do it from the inside. If you try to do it from the outside you will end up chasing the leak all the way around the tank.

What I would do is lower the water level as far as possible, clean the area as well as possible, tape the inside of the glass to keep mess to a minimum, and then back-fill a large portion of the area between the glass and trim. I would go as far as possible on either side of where you think the leak is just to be certain you got it. Let it cure as long as possible, peel the tape, and refill.

It would be easiest if you could turn the tank upside down, but that's probably not to easy if it's up and running.

jm.02

 

[kdv9tb]

pictures to come as soon as the lights come on! I say that, but it may be a little later depending on my mini me helping out!

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

Without seeing the tank iwould twnd to think it is too full as well...or that the tank isn't buolt properly, as the glass should be almost one inch above the bottom of the trim on the inside of tank...if tour water level sits right at the bottom of the plasric trim and it is leaking out then the tank isn't built correctly...is your water level is more then 1/2 or so up on the trim then you mig ht just be too full (although you should be able to come up 1")

 

[ca1ore]

You don't want to remove a cross support with the tank filled obviously, but if the water level of the tank is right up to the level of the silicone along the top of the glass sides then you do have it too full.

 

[woodnaquanut]

Leaking from the top.

Isn't that the definition of too full? I tried to fill my coffee cup above the rim and it 'leaked' all over the place!

Pictures would really help.

 

[xdannyxrocksx]

Yea it should not be that full. Is it drilled? Is it reef ready? If it is reef ready with overflow boxes and that's how it came from the manufacturer then they are liable because they obviously improperly build this aquarium. If it is not reef ready and you control the height of the water then yes it is way to full. The trim doesn't only hide the water line but gives the aquarium some structure by no means should it be full to the top of the trim, water should only be slightly above the bottom of that trim.

 

[KenshinPT]

I tried to fill my coffee cup above the rim and it 'leaked' all over the place!

:lol:

 

[_shorty_]

Dare I say it ?!!

:lolspin:

I'm assuming some good aquarium silicone should do the trick if done correctly. Good thing it's at the top and not the bottom!!

 

[mcgyvr]

Tank is too full

 

[Hawkdl2]

The only way for water to be leaking from the trim is if the tank is too full or you have a return line, or something else, shooting water at the trim. If this is how you described the problem to the manufacturer and the LFS, I am not surprised they told you to go away. Pictures would help.