Leaking tank needs patching on the outside

scrapman

scrapman

Member
My 90 gal has developped a small leak at the bottom in an area whish I patched with silicone when I cracked a side glass panel during installation.
My inside patching has been OK for ten years. Invisible since it's against a pillar.
I cannot patch from inside any longer (the tank is full). What's the best way to add some material on the outside???
Thanks
 
njbillyv

njbillyv

Member
See the problem is that you can't patch something on the outside if water is still pushing from the inside. So the only chance you have is to somehow stop the flow from the inside and then patch it from the outside. Lowering the water level will lower the pressure at the leak point too, making it easier to stop the flow. What to patch it with I don't know, but i bet someone on here or the guys at your local home improvement store do.
Good luck.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
I only see two options - drain the tank, cut away the old silicon away from where it's leaking and reseal it or buy a new tank. If it's 10 years old I'd suggest just replacing the tank.
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Again agree......Trying to patch with it still wet......Not gonna happen....The tank would have to come completely down and then you still have to figure in cure time.....
 
njbillyv

njbillyv

Member
To clarify, I'm not suggesting that it's possible to patch a tank from the outside or that it's a good idea. Obviously properly re-sealing it or replacing it is the way to go, however, if they are determined to try I was just trying to help.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
I've used plumber's putty successfully as a temporary patch. It only works for a week or so before the saltwater oxidizes it though.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
OK....We used waterweld on our sump.....we used it in the wet.....it worked.....THAT could be an option, the only thing you have to do is know exactly where the leak is....and be able to get the waterweld in that spot really really good.....roll a small piece of the stuff.....lay it in the groove.....go about 6" (or maybe the whole section) on each side of the leak......
it will work....Home Depot
P.S. we also used it on the swimming pool......
 
marvelfan

marvelfan

Member
Glad it worked for you!
I just picked some up myself to do some aquascaping this weekend. I've heard it works really well! Did it seem to cure pretty hard quickly?
I'm adding a Fire Shrimp soon and I'm afraid of the rocks falling. I have the top ones balancing right now and it makes me uneasy.
 
meowzer

meowzer

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by MarvelFan http:///t/391078/leaking-tank-needs-patching-on-the-outside#post_3466593
Glad it worked for you!
I just picked some up myself to do some aquascaping this weekend. I've heard it works really well! Did it seem to cure pretty hard quickly?
I'm adding a Fire Shrimp soon and I'm afraid of the rocks falling. I have the top ones balancing right now and it makes me uneasy.
It sealed automatically..and If I remember correctly it hardened up within 24 hours...I have not used it for aquascaping though.....BUT I bet it would work great
 
xcali1985

xcali1985

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by meowzer http:///t/391078/leaking-tank-needs-patching-on-the-outside#post_3466616
I would make sure I had a few large totes....JIC......I would be very very nervous
+1. I have a Lee-Mar 240G If it started to leak, It's not a walk in carry out type deal. The earliest I would be able to get another would probably be 2 weeks. Tots would work temp, but I would probably have a fire sale on my livestock. I would try every temp fix possible while I waited on another to come in.
Sucks.... Good Luck!
 
scrapman

scrapman

Member
thanks all for your suggestions.
It turned out that I had repositioned a powerhead on the side that I had repatched ten years ago after cracking the side glass by squeezing the tank in too tight a space. My silicone parching (in and out) has held up. Then..... two, three drops a minute. I was devastated. It happens that the powerhead was creating a wave all the way at the top of the crack which I probably didn't "butter" enough with silicone since it was so high (usually no water on the top inch of the tank).
Anyway, thanks again to all.
Yes I have a few clean 20 gal grey round and high "Brute" containers in case of emergency. But what an ordeal!
My wife didn't like too much the suggestion "ditch your leaking tank and get a bigger one"! Iloved it: it made sense.
I'm sure that the boating people know about a kind of compound which can plug a leak even under water. I was going to google that if my leak was real.
Thanks
 
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