Do I have a leak?

[dewilde2]

So, I am cycling my 5 gallon and am totally a newbie to this. The tank is a 5 gal acrylic hex, and every day I find salt residue on top of the black rim around the bottom of the tank. Do I have a leak somewhere? I've never found any evidence of water or leakage, but this white crap keeps accumulating and I don't really understand how....any thoughts?

[Reefscape]

no, you dont have a leak, the salt residue is form the evapouration of the water...as the water evaps, and the salt gets left behind...

Niko

[Dangerdoll]

it's called "salt creep"

[dewilde2]

Ok cool I was hoping that's what it was. It still baffles me how it happens, but as long as I'm not going end up with 5 gallons of saltwater on my floor I'm fine with it. Thanks!

[tullsterx]

Hmmmmm. . . the bottom outside of the tank is an unuaual place for salt creep. Salt's not going to creep through the acrylic. I'd watch it. Is the tank covered, could a spash/mist come out of the top of the tank? I once had a tiny slow drip out of the top corner of my 240 but only when the water was filled to a very high level. I first noticed a tiny salt accumulation at the bottom outside corner. Was no big deal really. Anyway, doesn't sound like salt creep to me.