Tank about to burst?

[JingoFresh]

I moved recently, and I am scared if I have damaged my tank while moving to the point where it could burst.

Upon filling the tank up, I noticed a liquid oozing near one of the corners. It isn't water, at least not entirely, as it is very oily and sticky. Something to do with the silicone seal?

The tank isn't 100% level, and there is more pressure on the corner that would be "leaking, however the difference in distribution is very light. I'm not sure if this shows anything but:

Is there anything I can do short of buying a new tank?

Is it OK to have it full of water for a few nights at least or could it burst at any point?

 

[oceanlassiter]

It is not likely to burst, but if in doubt about the seal you could always strip off the old silicone and reseal it. I have successfully rebuilt many of tanks over the years. You can get the silicone from your local Home Depot. Just make sure that it does not say mildew resistant or paintable. If you do go the route of resealing it, just fill with tap water for a few days to make sure it does not leak. Once your sure it don't leak then drain the tap water and add your RO/DI water. I do not feel it is ever necessary to buy a new tank unless you're upgrading. Even broken glass can be replaced.

 

[kfisc]

Very risky position right now- you need to level the tank (shims along the floor line under the stand, not between the stand and the tank), and consider carefully if you want the chance that, even if level and not immediately showing signs of leaking, the whole thing could burst. Likely at stupid-o'clock in the morning, or when you're not home.

I'd get a new tank.

 

[billdogg]

Very risky position right now- you need to level the tank (shims along the floor line under the stand, not between the stand and the tank), and consider carefully if you want the chance that, even if level and not immediately showing signs of leaking, the whole thing could burst. Likely at stupid-o'clock in the morning, or when you're not home.

I'd get a new tank.

What he said

Your picture shows a tank that is visibly off level. Eyeballing it, by about 1/2". That's not even close. The leak WILL NOT get better on it's own. Although resealing is an option, to do so YOU MUST take it completely apart (all 5 panels) clean off all traces of the old silicone, and then put it back together. If you have never done it before, it will not be easy to do correctly, and if you do it, but do it wrong, you will be in the same place you are now, or worse.

I, too, would just go buy another tank.

 

[oceanlassiter]

I love to find people that think they need a new tank. They can give me they're old and and I make it as good as new. Level is a must, as the pressure of the water on the low side can cause problems. When rebuilding a tank, the hard part is removing the frame. However I have seen 300 gal tanks put together with nothing but the silicone and no frame and do just fine. It all depends on the size of the glass as a glass that is not thick enough will bow and could break. That or a cracked glass is the only way a tank would burst. It could leak out if the seal is broke but a leak and a burst is two different things. A leak is bad but can be fixed.

 

[JingoFresh]

It is not likely to burst, but if in doubt about the seal you could always strip off the old silicone and reseal it. I have successfully rebuilt many of tanks over the years. You can get the silicone from your local Home Depot. Just make sure that it does not say mildew resistant or paintable. If you do go the route of resealing it, just fill with tap water for a few days to make sure it does not leak. Once your sure it don't leak then drain the tap water and add your RO/DI water. I do not feel it is ever necessary to buy a new tank unless you're upgrading. Even broken glass can be replaced.

OK, Thanks.

I drained it just to be sure but don't want to leave my livestock out for too long.

I can't get to the silicone under the black plastic on the outside of the tank....is it still possible to reseal it? I have no experience using silicone and no idea how to go about this...but I guess that's what google is for

 

[whiteshark]

I love to find people that think they need a new tank. They can give me they're old and and I make it as good as new. Level is a must, as the pressure of the water on the low side can cause problems. When rebuilding a tank, the hard part is removing the frame. However I have seen 300 gal tanks put together with nothing but the silicone and no frame and do just fine. It all depends on the size of the glass as a glass that is not thick enough will bow and could break. That or a cracked glass is the only way a tank would burst. It could leak out if the seal is broke but a leak and a burst is two different things. A leak is bad but can be fixed.

Of course a leak can be fixed. You can also re silicone the entire thing. Many have done that with success. But you would still need another tank to home the inhabitants while fixing the old tank. So why not just get a new tank, set it up, fix the old one and have it as a backup?

 

[oceanlassiter]

OK, Thanks.

I drained it just to be sure but don't want to leave my livestock out for too long.

I can't get to the silicone under the black plastic on the outside of the tank....is it still possible to reseal it? I have no experience using silicone and no idea how to go about this...but I guess that's what google is for

You can put your live stock in a rubbermaid container. just provide the filtration, heat and light. It will take time to reseal. The silicone needs to be cured for at least 24 hours before adding water. Like I said the frame is the hard part and if it needs to be removed can take some time. You want to take your time so you don't break the frame. Large scrapers and a good razor ar a must. Silicone glues the panels together and it is further sealed with a bead along the inside. Be careful and take your time.

 

[JingoFresh]

Very risky position right now- you need to level the tank (shims along the floor line under the stand, not between the stand and the tank), and consider carefully if you want the chance that, even if level and not immediately showing signs of leaking, the whole thing could burst. Likely at stupid-o'clock in the morning, or when you're not home.

I'd get a new tank.

I replied before seeing the other replies.

How likely is it that it coudl burst, really? It doesn't seem to be water coming out, but oily silicone..

Could you give an example of the type of shims you might use? I just moved in to a nice new apartment which looks level, and was surprised to find it is not.

 

[JingoFresh]

Of course a leak can be fixed. You can also re silicone the entire thing. Many have done that with success. But you would still need another tank to home the inhabitants while fixing the old tank. So why not just get a new tank, set it up, fix the old one and have it as a backup?

Because I live in NYC, and have very limited space.

 

[JingoFresh]

You can put your live stock in a rubbermaid container. just provide the filtration, heat and light. It will take time to reseal. The silicone needs to be cured for at least 24 hours before adding water. Like I said the frame is the hard part and if it needs to be removed can take some time. You want to take your time so you don't break the frame. Large scrapers and a good razor ar a must. Silicone glues the panels together and it is further sealed with a bead along the inside. Be careful and take your time.

I'm not going to attempt to do that, as I have never done such a thing and the cost is too great if I fail.

So, it will depend if I can find someone to do it for me, how much they charge and if it is cheaper to just get a new tank or not.

Also my only filtration was a powerful protein skimmer in the sump and biological filter. I don't have anything I can just put in a rubbermaid bucket.

I might try selling my old tank and just buying a new one if it only needs to be resealed....

 

[kfisc]

I replied before seeing the other replies.

How likely is it that it coudl burst, really? It doesn't seem to be water coming out, but oily silicone..

Could you give an example of the type of shims you might use? I just moved in to a nice new apartment which looks level, and was surprised to find it is not.

I think it's too likely to sleep well at night.

They sell shims at hardware stores- but anything durable and thin that can be slid in along the bottom. We had a supply of old, very thin and very tough linoleum that worked.

 

[fishgate]

What size tank? I also will suggest you just get another tank. If you have no experience with silicone you will make a complete mess and the tank will look like hell. No way around that it is too hard to get it looking good the first time you do it.

 

[JingoFresh]

Well it's settled I'll get a new tank. Damn it. What a hassle.

Hopefully someone will buy the old tank.

 

[ca1ore]

Are you sure the tank is actually leaking? I've emptied many a tank, gotten some saltwater inside the rim that then partly evaporates, only to be squeezed out once the tank gets refilled as a thickened slurry. There is no oily residue in silicone, unless some somehow remained uncured - which seems unlikely.

 

[JingoFresh]

Are you sure the tank is actually leaking? I've emptied many a tank, gotten some saltwater inside the rim that then partly evaporates, only to be squeezed out once the tank gets refilled as a thickened slurry. There is no oily residue in silicone, unless some somehow remained uncured - which seems unlikely.

Yeah pretty sure..it wasn't just water but an oily substance, and only appeared when the tank was full

 

[whiteshark]

Because I live in NYC, and have very limited space.

Ah well this is a very valid reason not to do that lol.

I think rebuilding a tank could be a good experience, but it's going to be time consuming, and with no previous experience it's kind of a crap shoot as to whether it's going to work out exactly the way you want it to. It's also going to require a significant amount of space as the disassembled tank will take up more room and you will still need to house the fish in something else while you work on it.

I would, in this case, recommend getting a new tank and getting rid of the old one. Nothing wrong with trying to fix the old one, but I think if it's not possible to have two tanks of that size in your space, having a tank of that size and another stock tank to hold the livestock until you're finished fixing the old tank would be just as impossible.

 

[wcarterh]

From the look and sound of it, it sounds like old caulking. If you've ever had a old tube that wasn't temperature controlled and past usage date, it will separate out into crystals and an oily substance. That liquid will never set.