Tank leakage – emergency help needed!!!

[nzhang1001]

Hi, just found a leak on my newly setup tank (used). Water slowly come out btw the rim and glass, at the front bottom right corner. Here is a pic to illustrate it.
http://www.pbase.com/nz1/image/79735985 or http://www.pbase.com/nz1/image/79735985
I think I can use either epoxy or sealant for aquarium/pool, but no experience. Instructions please...
Thanks much.

[MikenDanielle]

From what I have read you can no put new silicone over old silicone otherwise it will not adhere properly. All articles I have read on this top say the best thing to do is either empty everything out, scrape off all the old sealant and reseal it with silicone... or buy a new tank. Sorry for your luck.

[mcox3]

are you sure water didnt drip down over the front of it? I saw water built up on the frame of my 125 and I freaked out, only to later find out it was from my poor water changing skills.

[nzhang1001]

Before leaving for work this morning, I checked the side glasses and they were dry. I cleaned the area a few times but water would keep building up...
The leaking area seems to be near the inner corner at the bottom. So I am planning to do:

take fishes to Rubbermaid with matching water
drain the **** tank
shovel the gravel away from the corner
clean the area and blow it dry
frame out the area using masking tape
use plenty epoxy for aquarium to cover the leaking area.
use dryer again then wait 24hr.Appreciate any additional ideas.
Thx.

[mcox3]

good luck, lets us know how goes it.

[bghill]

24 hours may not be enough cure time. Try to laeve for at least 72 hours if you can.

[discusman54]

You might want to check the stand, it may have a low or high corner twisting the tank. Take kind of straight edge and see if it's all flat. Could be worth the extra few minutes.

[nzhang1001]

Update… got home from work and discovered the leakage has been quite slow – about a quarter of a small cup. So I decide to start the work tomorrow evening.
Meantime I was trying to determine the exact leaking location. Busted, it is actually the left front corner. First I used a leveler and found the left side is a few mm higher because of the floor. Then I was not so sure about the right corner where the dripping appears. I smashed a bit flake food and spread over the stream btw the bottom rim and glass, but the leakage is just too slow… I then cut several pieces from a plastic soup container, inserted btw the rim and glass, and found out the section where the water would build up first.
Thx again for all the help.


You might want to check the stand, it may have a low or high corner twisting the tank. Take kind of straight edge and see if it's all flat. Could be worth the extra few minutes.
Hmm, can a few mm difference affect a tank like this? I think most floors are not perfectly level and people just let their tank be. Thx much.

[discusman54]

"A few mm" If you mean millimeters thats and 1/8th of an inch, if just ONE corner is out that much it could stress the seams. If this is your 75gallon tank remember, it can weigh over 700lbs rocks + water. Good way to find out, when the tank is empty, check for gaps under the tank.
Hope all goes well for u, I have nightmares about that!:eek:

[Rbishop]

It is a new tank to you, but used none the less, correct? So it spent some time somewhere being used and now it is set up in a new place. I wouldn't rely on a patch job.

[J double R]

72 hours should be the MINIMUM cure time for silicone.

[nzhang1001]

Update…
Well, I chose to patch for certain reasons, one of those is that I could see the leaking was caused by craftsmanship, not by aging/wear.
After determining the leaking area and draining the water, I sanded the surrounding glass and original sealing area, repeatedly cleaned using rubbing alcohol. Masking taped the area and applied All-glass aqua silicone. I’d waited for 4 days before filling the tank again. Now it’s been 2 days and it seems OK.
I’ll definitely come back to this thread if it leaks again.
Thx.

[nzhang1001]

All right. Do what the veterans say:grinyes:
It leaked again, rather slower... replaced w/ a new.
Thx.

[mellowvision]

doh! sorry to hear that!

[J0NESI]

i had a brand new 100g tank with a stand that i built and it was off 2mm on one side and one day a month later i found a foot and a half crack in the back of the tank. no leak thank god. had to sell it though was not able to fix it. a guy we know who had his own aquaruim business said to put a piece of foam under the tank.

[Mgamer20o0]

heres hoping for the best.