Aquarium leaks

[johnv]

I have had to replace my aquarium 3 times in one year due to leaks. I live in Mexico and am using the most popular brand of 30 gallon manufactured here. I can't beleive that 3 aquariums could have gone bad. I am beginning to suspect that it is not a problem of the aquarium but maybe the stand is not level. However, the stand which was custom built by a master cabinet maker out of 4x4's is level and appears to be absolutely flat on the top. I am becoming very discouraged. My fish are currently in buckets as I debate buying another Mexican tank or driving the 500 miles to the US border in order to buy a US made tank. And I have gotten to the point that I am now wary of any glass tank with seams and debate whether acrylic or glass is the way to go. Can anyone offer any advice.

[fishdrifta]

I suggest re-sealing ur tanks b4 u use them with the stuff they use to make tanks.I think its called silicone glue or sometin like that.

[Holly9937]

wow, I might consider finding a different tank once I got in your position!! Sorry to hear you've had that much trouble. However, I don't think you can just put new stuff over old seals, I asked a similar question a while back and was told that it wouldn't really help, that the whole thing needed to be taken apart and resealed...Can you find acrylic near you?

[Holly9937]

I would get a good level and double check that too, if you haven't already

[johnv]

As for applying silicone to a new aquarium as insurance, and in reference to aquarium repairs in general, here is some very important information regarding the properties of silicone, that every aquarist should know: (This quote was taken from a chemist who is an expert on caulks and sealers) "silicone products cannot be repaired by reapplication because silicones do not adhere to cured silicone".
It is my opinion that the current design of glass aquariums using silicone with top and bottom plastic braces is a flawed design that is prone to eventual failure. The old design of metal braces around the entire aquarium was better but not very visually appealing. Acrylic also has it's drawbacks: scratching, clouding with age, and not having an open top to the tank.
Currently, there is a manufacturer of tanks in New York City, who makes glass tanks with 3 seams. (the bottom and the two back corners) The front and sides of the tank are one piece of curved glass.
I would think that a glass aquarium incorporating their 3 seam idea with the curved glass front could be improved upon by installing the metal braces with screws over rubber gaskets on the three seams of the tank. Such a tank would undoubtedly be very expensive but would not leak in a lifetime and would be glass instead of plastic.