Tank leaking?!?

[Flying_Hellfish]

My 55 appears to have sprung a leak. It really seems as if it is leaking on the bottom, of course. So is there anything I can do but drain it? I know if it was one of the corners it would be easy enough to fix but with it coming out of the bottom I'm pretty sure there is nothing I can do without draining it.

 

[calbert0]

Either way the tank is trash and you need to get water out of it before the entire seam splits and you have 55 gallons on your floor.


Don't waste your time trying to re-seal this tank. You can't just replace the inner seal. Once a glass tank springs a leak you need to replace the actual structural seal between the glass panes which is no easy task.

Go buy a new 55G ASAP. It will be cheaper and you will have peace of mind knowing you have a solid tank.

 

[Flying_Hellfish]

ugg, that's half the problem, I don't have funds for another 55. I guess I'll go see what people have in stock and if I can go for it. I'm also afraid to transfer my sand, I have about 4" deep on average and don't need that polluting a new tank. Guess I'll go get about 10 buckets and see if I can get a tank

 

[Flying_Hellfish]

I just picked up a 50. I'm going to try to move everything

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[godspeed]

I don't agree with there is nothing you can do theory. I had a 125 gal tank with a leak at the bottom seam. I resealed the whole tank and it lasted with no issues. As far as the seam coming apart isn't there a brace usually at the top and bottom of the tank anyway? Just my 2 cents.

 

[Flying_Hellfish]

I don't agree with there is nothing you can do theory. I had a 125 gal tank with a leak at the bottom seam. I resealed the whole tank and it lasted with no issues. As far as the seam coming apart isn't there a brace usually at the top and bottom of the tank anyway? Just my 2 cents.

I needed to move everything to do that anyway and didn't have a tank to put it all in. Bought 10 depot buckets and got it all moved. It's very cloudy but not leaking now. If my trigger survives I'll be ecstatic.

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[skunkmere]

same thing happened to my 90, i removed the silicone on the inside, not between the glass, resealed it, and went really heavy on the bottom. my tank is still going strong 7 years later. i wont do it again, it was a pia.

 

[Flying_Hellfish]

same thing happened to my 90, i removed the silicone on the inside, not between the glass, resealed it, and went really heavy on the bottom. my tank is still going strong 7 years later. i wont do it again, it was a pia.

Yeah, I also didn't have a place to store all the fish/water/rock for any sort of long term to repair it. In my haste I bought a 50 but later realized I probably could have upgraded a little to a 75 or something. Oh well, at least I know I can do this again later when I actually want to upgrade lol Water is calming down and I could see most of the rock this morning. Hopefully when I get home tonight I'll be able to see if my fish survived. I tossed a capful of Prime in there when I put the water back in and replaced 10 gal with fresh saltwater so I'm hopeful everything will survive.

 

[skunkmere]

it should be ok, like a big water change.

 

[Flying_Hellfish]

the girlfriend just text me and said she could see everything swimming around this afternoon so that's a good start

 

[calbert0]

same thing happened to my 90, i removed the silicone on the inside, not between the glass, resealed it, and went really heavy on the bottom. my tank is still going strong 7 years later. i wont do it again, it was a pia.

Your tank is an exception to the rule Skunkmere. Good work though, you must have a very level stand, even support, and very strong original structural seams. The fat bottom bead you laid must have worked itself in-to the leak between panels. Either during the curing process, or after you filled the tank, as silicone expands slightly under water. I admire your bravery in trusting your tank and living room to the inner re-seal for the last 7 years.

I have done the research, have torn apart, re-built, and built from scratch a hand-full of Glass Aquariums. Once the structural seam is compromised you are playing with fire...

Just trying to spread info. Good work on that re-seal

 

[Flying_Hellfish]

Fish were eating as of last night, water is much clearer this morning so I'll probably have to clean some rocks and make it cloudy again tonight or tomorrow.