tank is leaking; please help

themadblimper

themadblimper

The one free man.
Dec 10, 2005
257
0
0
Lancaster, PA
:help: :help: :help:
Okay, this is a biggie: My 60 gallon hexagon tank has sprung a major leak in one of the silicone joints holding two panels together. The fish and plants are fine, there is about 8" of water left in the tank to support them. (The hole is right above the water level. No more water is coming out.) I plan on taking everything out to repair the tank w/silicone tank sealant.

My question is this: would I need to completely disassemble the tank and remove ALL of the silicone and glass panels, or just the silicone section that has started leaking? If I need to disassemble the whole thing, any steps or directions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
 
relax! easeier said than done it's the tank!!!! :thud: but checkitout!!! how big is the crack less than a inch does not warrant dissassembly only a quick patching!!!! :duh:
 
No crack; the silicone holding the glass together is whats leaking.

And believe it or not, I tried patching it from both the outside and inside. It just started leaking again FOUR DAYS LATER!!!
 
Drain the tank a few inches below the leak, take a razor and remove the silicone, clean the area with some alcohol and reseal where it's leaking. allow the repair to cure 24 hrs and refill. If it still leaks then yes the tank will need to be taken apart and complely re-siliconed. Good Luck.
 
:hang: man try it again this time give it another day or two to set this timeyou do not want to disassemble the whole tank! maybe cop a build a tank book from e- bay if you must dissassemble! that is if a second attempt fails is the hole atleast smaller this time?
 
Okay, not as panicky anymore...
So do i remove just the leaking area of silicone or the entire coulum?
 
You need to remove all the silicone, silicone does not bond to itself.
 
Thanks for the help everyone...
Would it be more ethical to but a new tank (Same kind) and just transfer all of the contents to it, or try to repair the tank and leave its occupants hanging for a few days?
 
I'm in a similar situation myself.. well, I have a tank that started to leak along a bottom seam, and now it sits empty.

Basically I'm waiting for the spring so I can leak test outside..

but..


slipknottin said:
You need to remove all the silicone, silicone does not bond to itself.
Click to expand...

I'm assuming all the way around the interior of the tank, not just the 1 seam from end to end ?


my biggest issue was how the seal itself would hold, for how long or whatever.. I was planning to reseal the whole perimeter just to be safe.. unless someone can tell me that it's not necessary...


and thanks for any advice..!
 
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