Salty leaks...

[Dangerdoll]

My sister's saltwater tank needs to be replaced. Apparently,the cornertank she's got now is in big trouble... it's beginning to leak all over. The tank is less than a year old, I've never heard of such a problem. Is it possible that some tanks simply cannot handle salt water as opposed to fresh? Nonetheless, she's on a mission to replace the tank. Is there anything to look for to avoid this again? Should the tank be made a certain way to house salt water?

 

[mogurnda]

Two things come to mind. First, are you sure it's not just salt creep? Second, is it on a flat, stable surface?
To answer the other question, no aquarium built in the last 30 years should be damaged by saltwater.

 

[Dangerdoll]

I appreciate the thoughts, thanks
yes, absolutely sure it's not salt creep as whenever the water is to the bottom of the black rim at the top of the tank (not sure what it's called), the water begins to drip down so she applied sealant and although it works it's not very appealing (to the eye). Even with that though, it lasts a couple of weeks, then starts to leak again. She stopped filling it to the rim and started leaving it at about 1/4 to 1/2 inch from that line. Then once she thought she'd conquered that, it started leaking from the bottom. The tank is on a stand made especially for the tank and the set up is on a flat surface so leaning is definitely not the issue. I contribute it to just a "bad tank" and needs to be replaced. I guess like everything these days, there's bound to be one in many that just aren't "as good as they get". Needless to say, she's getting a new one, I was just interested in if there was any sort of difference in the holding of water in tanks betwen FW and SW. I guess I am right then? It might just be a fluke and she should be ok ith her next purchase......nothing especially to look for as opposed to getting a new one with "special features" being that it's for a salt environment? Am I being confusing?

 

[OrionGirl]

Nope, a tank is a tank is a tank. There aren't any differences between the sealant needed for a SW setup vrs a FW setup. Shouldn't be leaking. Not only would I take it back, I'd be cranky about having to tear down my setup due to their defects.

 

[Dangerdoll]

Yeah, I know what you mean OG, if it were mine, I'd do just that. Not sure what she's going to do though.....so far she's kept it at bay and we'll be going to the LFS in a little while to get the new one.....I think she's nuts if she let's this slide.....