Tank Leaking... What Else Can I Do?

[twodoctors]

Happy and sad day for me. Happy that some of my cory fries have hatched. My first ever spawn since starting the hobby last year. Sad because my main tank is leaking.

Bought the AR980 on ebay a year ago. Absolutely no problem. Recently I noticed that the water level goes down every few days. I thought it was evaporation/bubble from the air pump that I put in. Then tonight I noticed wet floor board and skirting board... the tank is leaking!

Could not see where it is leaking from, other than to say it looks like it's from the base. Nothing to see from the edges. No obvious water mark/wet patch except the bottom of the tank, between it and the cabinet.

What I've done so far:

1) Drain to around 1/3 water to reduce pressure
2) Put a Fluval U2 in as replacement pump
3) Move my filter media into the tank and put an air pump under all that to keep the bacteria alive
4) Continue with air pump to aerate the tank
5) Removed half the plants in the tank and most of the non-essential plant/decoration to give them a bit of room (1/2 tank of "free space")
6) Dried all edges and put dry kitchen towel to look for leak
7) Will be feeding once every 2 days to minimise bioload
8) Daily water check +/- water change

I don't think they will all fit into the 90L and breeding tank. I don't have to time to do anything drastic for another 2 week because of a very important exam. Do you think I should remove all the plants? I thought they can use a bit of hiding space but taking those plants out isn't difficult. Any other suggestions welcomed.

Thanks.

Adrian

 

[thereverendturtle]

Get a couple of the plastic storage bins and put your fish, plants and everything in those. Should be ok until you can make a repair.

 

[CezzaXV]

Agreed. You can get a massive plastic bin or storage box for less than a tenner. They'll be fine in there until you can repair or replace.

 

[bristlenoseitplecoman]

you should try to locate the leak and buy some silicone sealant. it might be able to seal your tank and save it if you can find out where it is coming from.

 

[Man of fish]

+1 on the big plastic box.

 

[twodoctors]

The thing is I can't repair for at least 2 weeks. I only have 1 filter and 1 heater, and there are a lot of fish in there. If it continues to leak that's what I'll do. Otherwise I think I'll leave them in there as there's more room. I guess I can remove some of them and put them in a plastic box for a bit but I have no spare heater or filter... anyone want to lend me one in or around Nottingham?

Just wondering about the other plants. Might take them out as well to create more space...

Adrian

 

[CezzaXV]

If you got a big storage box, you could run the heater and the filter in there with the fish, no need for a spare, and they'll be happy in there for as long as they need to be.

 

[twodoctors]

Agree. But the biggest one is still probably smaller than 1/3 my tank size in terms of surface are and volume. I'll certainly have a look as I need something for the children's Duplo anyway!

My problem is my rainbows are about 3-4" each. Same with the gouramis. Odessas are about 2" and golden barbs are 2.5-3" each. Not forgetting the loaches at about the same length as the golden barbs. My pleco is aroud 4"+ I guess, haven't seen it for a while. And the shrimps... A good time to do a headcount I guess, except I have to sit my exam in 12 days time!

Adrian

 

[CezzaXV]

You should be able to pick up a pretty massive one of some description for less than £10. It may come in useful afterwards and at least that way you know your fish are fine and you dont have to worry about them til after your exam.

btw, I just wanna say that I've seen you around the forums with your pic in your sig, and it always makes me smile where the fish are in front of that rock and it looks like a face!

 

[BigbruiserAl]

The range has a 110L for £12

 

[moochy13]

im in the same position. i need something massive to put my fish so i can sort out a leak, just dont know where to look.

i might be able to send my fish on holiday to the lfs for a day or 2, i dont know if i really want to though.

 

[twodoctors]

Asda has the same for £9. I'll call them to make sure they have it in stock. It is certainly stopped leaking at the moment... or at least the kitchen towel are still dry.

Moochy13, you seemed to have lots of pleco in your tank. Good luck catching them! I think I might struggle to catch mine despite draining so much water! And good luck finding the leak.

Adrian

PS Secretly hoping I can't fix the leak and then get a new Roma 240... but the wife won't be pleased!

btw, I just wanna say that I've seen you around the forums with your pic in your sig, and it always makes me smile where the fish are in front of that rock and it looks like a face!

You know I never noticed that until you mentioned it. Hahaha

 

[moochy13]

i knwo where my leak is, it isnt too bad fortunately. but it needs to be done, and im hoping i can do it without removing my fish. the leak is only a few inches from the top. going to try just putting more silicone over it for now. ive got a thread about it in the DIY section that im now going to update. i always try and use tupperware boxes to catch my plecs, i once netted a female bristlenose and its cheek spikes popped out and it was a nightmare getting it out of the net. dont fancy that again with my more expensive plecs.

 

[twodoctors]

Well, managed to get a 110L plastic box from ASDA. Managed to fish them all out and moved the tank to the garden until I have time to fix it. Also a good oppotunity to rescape or do 3D background etc. The fishes however seemed more stressed than before... hopefully they will settle overnight and get their colours back.

The silicone on the tank is covered by plastic trim all over. The only place to repair it is internally. The cabinet top looks completely dry. I wonder where the leak is coming from... or if there is a leak at all! Hmmm...

Adrian

 

[Swainy]

btw, I just wanna say that I've seen you around the forums with your pic in your sig, and it always makes me smile where the fish are in front of that rock and it looks like a face!

Haha! Doesn't look like a very impressed face either!