5ft Leaking Tank

[dave_m13]

Hi All

I have just noticed that my 5ft tank is leaking somewhere. There seems to be a build up of water between the bottom of tank and the top of the cabinet. I can see the water on the small ledge of the cabinet, at the moment it does seem to be very slow leak, does not go over the egde at all at the front of the tank and does not seem to be at the back either (I cannot see or feel any water).

What would be people's suggestions, I could try and take everything out (That would be a pain) and try to repair or see where the leak is, not sure what I would do with all the fish though or would I be better off buying new tank (not that I have the money). Last option sell all fish and equipent (not tank obviously) and start over?

What do people suggest doing as I do not want the tank to start leaking badly.

Cheers
Dave

 

[thedc5]

Hi All

I have just noticed that my 5ft tank is leaking somewhere. There seems to be a build up of water between the bottom of tank and the top of the cabinet. I can see the water on the small ledge of the cabinet, at the moment it does seem to be very slow leak, does not go over the egde at all at the front of the tank and does not seem to be at the back either (I cannot see or feel any water).

What would be people's suggestions, I could try and take everything out (That would be a pain) and try to repair or see where the leak is, not sure what I would do with all the fish though or would I be better off buying new tank (not that I have the money). Last option sell all fish and equipent (not tank obviously) and start over?

What do people suggest doing as I do not want the tank to start leaking badly.

Cheers
Dave

you need to find that leak! inspect all the seals make sure there's nothing coming out, that's a lot of water should it go pop! can you not see any water down the edges? if its in the bottom seals your a bit screwed as you probably can see round the back that well, only option would be to check with your local fish shops see if they will holiday home for you or try to borrow a pond liner or something, normally easily fixed just a pain finding a home for fish for a while!

 

[amyw2008]

find an empty tank... either if you have one or go on trade it/gumtree and find a free to collector tank, move as much as possible out and findthe leak...

if pressure gets too much and tank pops then you will loose all the water (over the floor) and possibly fish/plants

 

[dave_m13]

[/quote]


you need to find that leak! inspect all the seals make sure there's nothing coming out, that's a lot of water should it go pop! can you not see any water down the edges? if its in the bottom seals your a bit screwed as you probably can see round the back that well, only option would be to check with your local fish shops see if they will holiday home for you or try to borrow a pond liner or something, normally easily fixed just a pain finding a home for fish for a while!
[/quote]

I am pretty sure its at the bottom, as there is no other water other than the bottom. I did see that on the left hand side the bracing at bottom or whatever its called has come away a little from the tank. I am not sure whether this is where the issue is but there does not seem to be any water in the gap, its purely at the bottom of the tank.

I will have to see if there are any lfs that could take the fish for a bit, if I am going to have to fix it. Assume I would just empty completely see if I can see where the leak is, remove silicone completely, re-add new silicone, let it dry for 24-48 hours, test to see if it leaks, then redo everything? What a pain in the neck.

Cheers
Dave

 

[thedc5]

I would just try get it empty as soon as, also take your time over re sealing it as you will be filling it up in doors after im guessing, but yes your right just get the old sealant off and really clean then re seal and leave a few days to cure!

Where about's are you? maybe someone on here has an old tank or pond shell you could borrow??


Good luck mate!!

 

[dave_m13]

I would just try get it empty as soon as, also take your time over re sealing it as you will be filling it up in doors after im guessing, but yes your right just get the old sealant off and really clean then re seal and leave a few days to cure!

Where about's are you? maybe someone on here has an old tank or pond shell you could borrow??


Good luck mate!!

I live in rugby, is there anyone that could assist at all?

I have 2 clean black dust bins that I usual use for emptying water out for water changes (Only used for fish tanks), have used them before to put the fish in when I get bored with the layout. So could put them in there but not very good if its going to be for a couple of days.

I do have 2 x 2ft tanks empty, which would be ok for the smaller fish, not entirely sure what I would do about filtering though. Larger fish Clowns, bristles, torpedo barbs would be too big.

Cheers

 

[dave_m13]

I have found out that it was not a leak in the tank after all, which is a great relief for me.

I have a top filter which I had split sometime back and it was this little split that was spraying out water onto the top of lid and the water was then escaping down the back of the tank and onto the ledge between the tank and cabinet.

I have since fixed this and no longer have any water anywhere which is great.

Cheers
Dave

 

[holidayinn]

Is it a Rio 400 by anychance? A floating base? Or a straight glass base?

I had issues with my Rio 400, leaking from what seemed like to be the bottom corner. Let me tell ya, it was a nightmare to fix. I was lucky that I have spare tanks for temp stocking.

Try to find the source of the leak, slowly lowering the level of water may help you identify where its coming from. I thought I knew where the leak was coming from and repaired one or two edges, when at the 3rd attempt it was still leaking, I stripped all the interior sealant off, then re-sealed the whole thing. I would recommend doing the same. Depending on the type of silicone, you may need to leave it to set for a few days, keeping it outdoors (if the weather is ok) would mean more air circulation, less time needed for silicone to cure.

At the same time, I found out that some of the leak could be explained by a slight gap at the top, between the trim of the tank and the glass. Condensation would seep through here and run down the back of the tank, making me think the leak was much worse then what it was.

After re-sealing had no problems. Good luck.


Edit: Just noticed post at 3:07, glad that's sorted for ya.

 

[loraxchick]

PHEW!!!! that is a potential nightmare! glad its all sorted!

 

[raptorrex]

Hi All

I have just noticed that my 5ft tank is leaking somewhere. There seems to be a build up of water between the bottom of tank and the top of the cabinet. I can see the water on the small ledge of the cabinet, at the moment it does seem to be very slow leak, does not go over the egde at all at the front of the tank and does not seem to be at the back either (I cannot see or feel any water).

What would be people's suggestions, I could try and take everything out (That would be a pain) and try to repair or see where the leak is, not sure what I would do with all the fish though or would I be better off buying new tank (not that I have the money). Last option sell all fish and equipent (not tank obviously) and start over?

What do people suggest doing as I do not want the tank to start leaking badly.

Cheers
Dave

glad it turned out to be a duff filter. but, for reference. it would be foolish to try and repair the split. the entire panel needs removing and re siliconed. as someone stated, the weight of water in the tank makes, even the repair i mention, very risky.