Emergency!

rbcjoker

rbcjoker

Member
I have a leak and I have no idea where it's coming from! I'll give as much info as I can.
It's a 55 gallon long All Glass. It was a freshwater for about 5 years, and has only been a salt tank for about 5-6 weeks. The leak started last Friday night, as I noticed it Saturday morning before a weekly water change. It's dripping several gallons a day.
I can't tell exactly where it's coming from, but it's at the very least pooling right under the plastic crossbar that runs down the middle of the tank under the glass.
Any advice on finding the exact location of the hole, and the best way to fix it? I asked someone at what is supposed to be one of the better stores in town, and he promptly gave me a lot of advice that directly contradicted itself. Any help???
 
ketill

ketill

Member
This is my route, had a 55 crack a few weeks back.
Go to Walmart, Get x2 35G rubbermaid trashcans $11 each here
Get one gallon cheap vinager about $3
Get a bulkhead or some assortment of PVC that will do the same thing $10 or less
6 foot tubing to fit bulkhead/ ect, and another 6 foot to fit pump. ( might need to pick up " barb" )
Fill the cans with tap water/ Vinager let it sit for a few hours at a minimum.
Poor it out, rinse at least two times well.
Start pulling LR out as you pump water into one of the cans
with a Razor knife you can cut a nice round hole ( draw it with marker first) Do this just above your water level.
run tube from piping or bulkhead into existing sump run tubing from pump back into cansecure it however you feel comfortable.
one can with fish/ inverts/LR ( this one hooked to sump) and a power head
Second can to hold any other LR or water you want to save Powerhead in it .
** then buy a new tank. 55G is well under $200 and with what your risk in trying to fix the other . . . most home owners insurance has deductable of $500 + hardly worth risking your home/ floor/walls , and biggest of all risking having to do all this a second time.
my approach, GOOD LUCK.
 
D

dragonzim

Active Member
Originally Posted by Ketill
** then buy a new tank. 55G is well under $200 and with what your risk in trying to fix the other . . . most home owners insurance has deductable of $500 + hardly worth risking your home/ floor/walls , and biggest of all risking having to do all this a second time.
my approach, GOOD LUCK.

Definitely a good suggestion. 55 gallon tanks are cheap enough that it wouldn't be worth it to try and fix. You should be able to find one for less than $100
 
ketill

ketill

Member
eh that would require new stand unless you get a 65. . . but yes it may be a good excuse to upgrade.
 
oceansidefish

oceansidefish

Active Member
That would depend on your stand and tank dimensions.... I have a 4ft wide stand and could add a taller or deeper tank
 
stumpyfish

stumpyfish

Member
sorry to hear about your leak, but I think you need a new tank, I personally wouldnt trust a repaired tank. Whats to say the repair will hold? May cost a bit but at least you know you have a new tank with hopefully no flaws or leaks. Good luck to you
 
maxalmon

maxalmon

Active Member
I don't think I would be able to sleep at night If I had a tank that once leaked but was then repaired...peace of mind is priceless....new tank
 
sepulatian

sepulatian

Moderator
I repaired my 46 bow without a problem. It is a leak, not a crack in the tank. It happens. You can remove the rock and inhabitants into a rubbermaid tub (or two). Scoop the sand away from the walls. Re-silicone the seams of the tank. It takes 24hrs to dry. Fill it back up with the water from the tubs and add the rock back in.
 
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