55 gallon tank leaking water.

[Retired Viking]

My 55 gallon tank is leaking water. It was shooting out a small stream of water along the front corner. I have drained the tank down to the point where it is leaking and it has stopped. Would appreciate any advice. I have around 50 small fish in about 6 inches of water now. Would like to know if there is a way to patch it so I can refill the tank without having to remove the fish.

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

Oh man, nightmare!

I haven't had to fix a tank leak so I'm not much help, I'm sorry. But I'd whip out your spare tanks you have in the basement and start doing some seeded cycles, just in case. Usually using aquarium sealant means emptying the tank... since if it's leaking in one spot, the whole lot probably needs re-doing I think, and it needs to be kept bone dry for at least 24 hours.

 

[JuiceBox52]

Oh no! There are ways to patch, but for a big leak I'd say not, it's better for really small leaks.

I'd do what adorabelle suggested

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Agree with @AdoraBelle Dearheart. In order to reseal a tank the area must be completely dry. Do you have a couple of airstones you can put in that tank to give the fish oxygen?

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

I just don't think I'd be able to sleep with fish in a tank that had sprung a leak... I'd be imagining the sealant continuing to split further down and thinking I'd wake up to a dry tank and all of them gone At least if you have some seeded tanks going ready, if you can't find out how to patch it or you're not sure, you can bung the fish in while you find out or get supplies or get some sleep, just in case! Then only start removing sand and stuff if it's confirmed you need to reseal the whole thing.

 

[Retired Viking]

It is a small hole like a needle poked it.

 

[JuiceBox52]

It is a small hope like a needle poked it.

I would say just clean it and patch it with fresh silicone, but silicone doesn't stick well to other silicone so it would only be temporary. I think you're gonna have to reseal the whole tank...

 

[Retired Viking]

Agree with @AdoraBelle Dearheart. In order to reseal a tank the area must be completely dry. Do you have a couple of airstones you can put in that tank to give the fish oxygen?

Thanks, I already put an air stone in on one end and have the aerator going on the other.

 

[Retired Viking]

I used a razor knife to clear an area about 2 inches around the leak. I have an old tube of aquarium sealer that appears to be still good. I am happy I found it before it drained a lot of water only a gallon or so. I was standing there when I head a funny sound and saw the water squirt out about 6 inches or so. I put pressure on it and it stopped to a slow drip when I had to let it go so I could start working on the tank.

 

[Retired Viking]

I patched the hole and let it dry for a day, starting to slowly refill the tank, Wish me and my fish luck

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Good luck man!

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

Crossing fingers that it holds!

 

[corylover5]

good luck! I hope it works out

 

[Retired Viking]

So far I have the tank 3/4 full and no leak

 

[JuiceBox52]

So far I have the tank 3/4 full and no leak

Yay!