Help, its an emergency

[danfishman]

I have just found a leak in my tank and the water level is dropping about 1/4 inch each day. Any ideas on how to fix it without empting the water or do I need a new tank. It took so long to fill it up then it started to leak. I bought it second hand so I can't get the money back as I bought it a few months ago.

 

[danfishman]

No nobody around to look after fish, have got a 55 gal being used as fresh water which could hold the fish, could probally take out those fish and transfer into temperary set up. I think I know where the leak is but my room is filling with water. Its the fact that I have to get anothere 150 gal of water to refill the tank. Getting water delivered in Australia is very expensive (for a Uni student)but looks like the only option. Is it worth fixing as it might spring a leak somewhere else and looks fairly old, so should I go the new tank ? Its a really tough decision and I am still not happy, fish keeping is $$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[mr . salty]

Believe it or not,Aquarium silicone sealant WILL seal under water.I have done it when my old 125 leaked at a seam.Just wipe the leaking area with a clean towl,put the silicone on your finger and press it into the leaking area.It takes a little longer to setup,but it does.I would try this first.If this doesn't work,then move on to plan "B"...

 

[glazer]

um dan,
first you said you found a leak, then you said "I think I know where it is"... I don't mean to be insulting or the Master of the obvious, but are you sure the tank itself is what is leaking? I mean you did check your filters and hoses or whatever to make sure it is not them? I have had false alarms and near heart attacks over something that turned out to be nothing more than a poorly seated o-ring. If indeed the tank is leaking then it would have to be a seam, I mean if the glass is leaking you got a crack... *trying to be lighthearted, I feel your pain* But from what I have read to don't seem that enthused over the "kind of old looking tank". I have done temp patches before but have never felt secure until I tore the whole tank down and completely dug out the old seam and resealed and if this tank is not in that great a shape it would seem to be if you are going to go to that effort you might has well dig ALL the old silicone out and reseal the whole tank, who knows where the next leak will come from. All in all I wonder if maybe you haven't answered your own question. Time, huge effort, cost of delivered water, ect. Definitely easier to go with new tank and perhaps cheaper as well???? Plus you have a new tank to be proud of... You are the only one to decide. Good luck whichever way you go.

 

[pancho]

um 1st thing 1st don't panic let the water drain to the point where it doesn't leak anymore lets hope the problem is not at the bottom. second before you put anything in that fresh water tank kill it first u don't need anymore problems and for an old tank you may want to get rid of some of the stress because the average glass tank last about 7 years depending on the stand. wich is why i have less decor and cc in all of mine

 

[glazer]

Pancho Pancho!
You made me blow my beer out through my nose!...lol Dude, what are ya sayin'?
"Drain the tank down to the level that it quits leaking" So like it is a 150 gallon tank and say it is leaking halfway down one of the sides... He now has a 75 gallon tank????
"Before you put anything in that FW kill it first, you don't need anymore problems" Kill what??? I don't think he should kill anything!!!! What has to die????
"Average glass tank lasts seven years depending on stand" OMG! I got two tanks that could blow any minute!!! Seriously, I have two glass tanks that one is 9 years old, and the other is almost 12, they are fine... then there is the almost 15 year old 55 that I gave my sister still holding fishies.
I'm not raggin' on ya Pancho, I am just a bit of a smart-ass and a clown.... so if I pis*ed ya off, pull my finger!....lol
Chicago huh?, me too... Maybe I could buy ya a beer and you could show me your sparsely decorated half-full tanks sometime... *laughing with you buddy, not at you* Wait, your not a Sox fan are ya????? <img src="graemlins//urrr.gif" border="0" alt="[urrr]" />

 

[pancho]

WELL WHEN I SAY KILL THE FW TANK I MEAN ONCE THE TANK IS EMPTY PUTTHE CLORINE IN THE TANK RINSE THEN RINSE THE TANK OUT WITH WATER AND CHLORINE REMOVER. DON'T WANT TO GET ANY OF THOSE NASTY FW PROBLEMS ON THOSE LR OR FISH NOW DO WE.TRUST ME BEEN THERE DONE THAT ALSO IF YOU GOT A 150 GAL TANK YOU SHOULD HAVE SOMETHING TO HOLD 75G OF WATER BESIDES HE DID SAY HE ONLY LOST ABOUT TEN GAL OF WATER. BUT THEN AGAIN YOU SHOULD KNOW THIS ALREADY