Leaks

[smokeyjo]

Hi guys. Can a tank just spring a leak on its own I haven't moved my tank but I got a feeling its leaking as I could hear my filter making a funny noise when I looked at it the outlet was half out of the water. I've marked the water line with a bit of tape.

But I'm just wondering if it could of developed a leak for no reason?

 

[DrRob]

Not really for no reason, but there are many reasons a tank may leak. Some not in your control.

The obvious questions are, are there any damp areas around the tank? Are there any external items like filters that could be leaking and is there any issue with evaporation.

Bad or old siliconing can spring a leak, as can silicone that's under pressure from a slightly uneven base.

If it is leaking then you need to be wary of it as there is a risk of it speeding up, particularly if there's any issue with the glass.

 

[smokeyjo]

No I can't see any damp patches or feel them the only thing I'm worried about is that the tank is tight to the wall so its difficult to see behind and I don't want to move it if its leaking incase I make it worse.

Ill leave it for a few days and see if it drops it may just be evaporation or I may of underfilled it slightly with my last water change I hope anyway lol

 

[OldMan47]

I have had it happen to me. I have a 60 gallon that just suddenly started leaking at a joint near the top. I ended up draining it about 25% before I went to work just to stop the leakage and replaced the tank when I got home from work. Now I have a 60 that I need to repair.

 

[ian_m]

Yes, tanks can just spring leaks especially if the bottom is not 100% flat. Happened to a mate of mine where his "stand" (an old sideboard) warped, warping the bottom of the tank causing silicone to "tear" in two corners of the tank. Caught before any major damage done, new stand made, tank resealed and has been fine since.

 

[OldMan47]

That 60 gallon started leaking on a stand that I had used for well over 10 years. It now has the replacement tank on it and has had it for over 2 years. The leaking tank was well over 30 years old when it started leaking so my guess is that the silicone sealant simply dried so much it became brittle over time.