Wow, my tank is leaking.

TheFishBoss97

TheFishBoss97

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Feb 12, 2011
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Last year, for my 13th birthday, I got a 72 gallon bow front aquarium FROM CRAIGLIST. Today, I decided to clean it so that I could start/set it up this week. But, as I was washing it, I noticed a HUGE LEAK at the bottom corner of the tank where all the aquarium sealant is. I AM SO MAD AT THE PERSON WHO SOLD ME THIS TANK SAYING THAT THERE ARE NO LEAKS, AND IT IS IN GREAT CONDITION. SHE PROBABLY USED THE $250 I PAYED HER FOR A TANK, STAND, HEATER, LIGHT, AND FILTER TO BUY A NEW TANK FOR HER CICHLIDS. :swear:

I have some aquarium sealant, but should I use it. It is leaking about 3-4 drops every 10 seconds.
:help:
Is the leak in a bad spot, and should I repair it. PLEASE HELP.
:help:
ANY SUGGESTIONS ON HOW/WHERE EXACTLY TO APPLY THE SEALANT?:confused:

I REALLY DON'T WANT TO BUY A NEW TANK SINCE IT IS PRETTY EXPENSIVE($200+)
:help:
 
Just make sure its super dry in that area and just put silicone in the hole and let it set for 24 hours and it should seal pretty well
 
if the tank was in storage for a year and you didn't test it when you got it there is no way that you can say she sold it to you leaking. Sealant drys out and cracks. It can be fixed, just make sure you use aquarium safe sealant.
 
Ballyhoo said:
if the tank was in storage for a year and you didn't test it when you got it there is no way that you can say she sold it to you leaking. Sealant drys out and cracks. It can be fixed, just make sure you use aquarium safe sealant.
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Yeah, maybe it wasn't leaking. I have aquarium safe sealant, but how do I apply it. The leak is a slit between the base(bottom) piece of glass, and a side panel of glass right on the corner. It is also touching the back panel of glass. The leak is right on the old silicone. Websites/Instructions tell me what to do for leaks/cracks that are NOT on old silicone, but what do you do IF they ARE on the old silicone corner.

:help:
 
Are you sure the leak is actually at the bottom corner, and not dripping down the side and appearing to come from the bottom corner? I'd dry the tank out and start filling it carefully a few gallons at a time to better pinpoint the leaking area. Many here would probably suggest completely removing all the silicone from all joints and resealing the whole tank. I'd be afraid to "spot-repair" this, as whatever condition caused the leak in that particular area may soon affect another area. 72 gallons is a lot of water to be taking a chance with.
 
Definitely worth trying, why waste all that money when you can just try using less than 5 bucks of silicone. Use a single edged razor, to cut a section of the silicone out from where you think the leak is from. Get as much of it out but don't try to get the silicone directly in between the 2 panes of glass. Put in a thick bead of silicone and press firmly into the section with your finger or a tool making sure every nook is filled. Id let it cure for at least 24 hours and fill it again to the top to test for the leaks. Id wait another 24 hours before confirming there are no more leaks.

Depending on how small the section is, I wouldnt worry about a catastrophic failure even if you failed at the repair. Just another leak. Good luck
 
New silicone will not stick to old silicone. Your best bet is to strip and repair the entire tank, see me 75 gallon build thread in my sig. And use the search option for the how to. It is very easy but it takes time.
 
I've resealed more tanks then I care to think about. It's incredibly easy. Just bead it along the cracks after razoring off the old silicone, smash it into the cracks, repeat, scrape off extra, let dry/cure 36-48 hours, test fill, voila. Phew.
 
rufioman said:
I've resealed more tanks then I care to think about. It's incredibly easy. Just bead it along the cracks after razoring off the old silicone, smash it into the cracks, repeat, scrape off extra, let dry/cure 36-48 hours, test fill, voila. Phew.
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+1
 
Not sure if you've ever heard this saying, but it really applies here: "If you don't have the time to do it right, when will you find the time to do it over?"
Translation: Strip out all the silicone carelfully and reseal the whole thing. You (and your fish) will sleep better knowing the tank has been properly repaired. I believe youi'll find a lot of information and maybe even some online videos of tank resealing if you google it.
 
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