My tank is leaking

deuse

deuse

New Member
I have had my 55 g fowlr for about a year now and the other day I noticed a salt residue all the way around the bottom of the tank. It's not a real fast leak, but enough to make ya worry. I have read on here about the problems and instead of trying to fix it, i'm just going to upgrade to a bigger one
I haven't quite figured out how big to go, but at least 75 g minimum. I do have some questions though.
1. Is there a way to figure out the filtration rate for a tank (how much filtration per hour)?
2. How long does it take for an acrylic tank to yellow?
3. Are there any good companys to deal with? My lfs hardly has anything and I dont know where to find a respectable place online.
4. When I go to a bigger tank I know I will have to get more sand and rock, plus I will need to add more water. With adding more water, is it going to throw the tank into another cycle? If it does can you keep water from water changes and store it so there is no cycle? For how long?
I just hope I have enough time to find the tank I want and get everything set up before it really leaks. Any help would be great!
 
jpc763

jpc763

Active Member
Originally Posted by Deuse
I have had my 55 g fowlr for about a year now and the other day I noticed a salt residue all the way around the bottom of the tank. It's not a real fast leak, but enough to make ya worry. I have read on here about the problems and instead of trying to fix it, i'm just going to upgrade to a bigger one
I haven't quite figured out how big to go, but at least 75 g minimum. I do have some questions though.
1. Is there a way to figure out the filtration rate for a tank (how much filtration per hour)?
2. How long does it take for an acrylic tank to yellow?
3. Are there any good companys to deal with? My lfs hardly has anything and I dont know where to find a respectable place online.
4. When I go to a bigger tank I know I will have to get more sand and rock, plus I will need to add more water. With adding more water, is it going to throw the tank into another cycle? If it does can you keep water from water changes and store it so there is no cycle? For how long?
I just hope I have enough time to find the tank I want and get everything set up before it really leaks. Any help would be great!

So if it were me, I would set up a small tank (20g or so) tha I could use to put my fishes in while my big tank cycles (you probably will have a short cycle with the new LS/LR). After that you can use it for a QT since you will be able to get bigger fishes! I would get the leaking tank out of commission as fast as possible as you never know when it will "blow".
Also, think about the kind of fish you would like to add with all of that new tank size. If you want a Tang, now is your chance to get one without getting hammered by the boards. 6 foot in length is what you need for a tang. That will be bigger than a 75g.
So get the small tank, put some rock and sand from you DT and get it cycled. Put your fishes and other critters in it and get rid of the leaking tank. Once you start up your little tank, order the big tank and get the sand and rock in it as soon as you can. Get it cycled and transfer everybody into the new home.
That is just how I would do it. I am sure there are other opinions out there.
 
zsqure

zsqure

Member
An inexpensive way to go is purchase a used setup from someone here in the classified section. Your waterchange water can seed the new tank, however you will have to monitor the tank for a period of time to determine the duration of a mini cycle, it still has to establish bacteria colonies. The 55 gal can be used as an awesome sump/fuge for your new setup. When I purchased my used setup, I saved a 5 gal bucket of sand and placed it in my tank the next day (as soon as I got it set up). My cycle time was short because there were bacteria already established in the sand. Don't be afraid of a used setup, it can save you $$ you will need to buy LIGHTS.
 
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