New Tank Leaking...

[Steve H.]

My wife brought home a 10 gal tank about 6 weeks ago, and it just started leaking from the bottom somewhere.

The problem is that the filter and tank were not cycled properly in the beginning, and I am currently right in the middle of a fish-in cycling process. I am not quite sure how close I am to being complete, but I have to think I'm close because it started 6 weeks ago with a couple of feeder goldfish. And, my new fish have been in the tank for just shy of 2 weeks.

What should I do here?

My thought is that I should be able to finish the cycling process. I put the tank in a cookie sheet which will help keep the leak from making a total mess while this happens.

But, do I have any repair options? And, if I get a new tank do I have to start the cycling process all over again?

The good news....I get my bigger tank before Christmas.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Good news! You won't have to start all over again with your cycle. The lovely bacteria you've been cultivating is living in your filter media, so you should be able to move at least the media to a new filter, unless you're moving the whole filter to the new tank. Either way, your media is nicely established ... yay!

And yes, you should be able to repair this tank. The LFS (local fish store) should carry aquarium-safe silicone sealant. You should take as much of the old silicone off the tank with a razor blade, then put the new stuff on just like you're caulking a bathtub. Let it cure for the recommended time and vòila! Good as new.

Also, make sure that it actually is a leak and not just condensation or from the filter or slopping water around when you do water changes. We've all done that ...

 

[Steve H.]

Thanks! That is good news!

I'm 75% sure that it is a leak. I've checked the others you mentioned. Even thought the air stone was bubbling water out, but sides and back of the tank are dry as well as the outside and bottom of the filter. Now that I have it in the cookie sheet it does appear as if its coming from the bottom somewhere. But, leaks are strange. Rarely is the leak in the roof directly above where its coming in the house.

Do you know if I move from a 10 gal tank to say a 40 to 55gal the cultivated bacteria will be enough, or will it need time to multiply?

Thanks!

 

[Tizer]

tank size wont matter, its the load on the filter and if that doesnt change (you dont get more fish) it will carry on as it is. If anything moving to a bigger tank is a good thing, more water means it takes longer to become toxic to the fish. it does however mean larger water changes.

 

[Tolak]

A 6 week old tank should be covered by a warranty. Swap it for a new one.

 

[This Old Spouse]

+1 for Tolak and Tizer.

For moving to a bigger tank, you could add some extra media to your filter now and build up some nice bacteria for the new filter too. I'd assume that if you're getting a bigger tank you're planning to get more fish at some point.

 

[moochy13]

swap the tank in. im sure the shop will understand if you keep the filter, and let them keep the new filter that comes with your new tank.