Tank leaking!!! Need help ASAP!!!

[thedocta]

Please help me! I'm kinda freakin out cuz my 40 gallon reef is leaking! Don't know where exactly the leak is comming from but I know it's near the very bottom of the tank. I know I have a leak cuz I have a tiny tiny space between my tank and my stand. I noticed salt building up there over the last couple of days and yesterday I cleaned it up and noticed A little bit of water seeping through. I blew into the space today and SW with a little sand came flying out at me. It's a very small leak...water level decreased 3 millimeters in a 18 inch tall tank over the course of the day today. I know it's partially evaporation and partially my skimmer skimming and splashing droplets out of my tank but that's more water level decrease than usual. Does a leak this slow need to be fixed right away? If so how do I patch it. From the inside or outside of the tank? Do I need to empty all my water, LR, LS, fish, corals, inverts and everything else I have in there or can Patch it from the outside and just drain water? Is this a big job? How long will it take? Lots of work? Should I patch the whole bottom or locate the leak and only patch that? How do I locate it if so? What's the easiest way to do this? Also is there anyone willing to lend me a hand in patching this thing? I live in Kalamazoo Michigan and could probaby give you some money, maybe a coral, or I've got a nano setup and a filter for sale I could maybe give you or lower the price dramatically on if you're interested. PLEASE!!! Email me if you wanna help and if you've got advice just post it here. Thanks in advance-Greg

 

[thedocta]

Email: tennisgmd@ameritech.net

 

[fishman830]

do you have a quarantine tank?

 

[pyro]

There should be air bubbles comming out inside your tank if there is a leak... water comes out, air goes in. Look for where the bubbles are starting if you can. I have no expirience how to repair the leak. Maybe search around here or google - good luck

 

[thedocta]

Ya but not nearly big enough for my corals and fish (5gallons). Plus I just took it down to sell. I think I'm gonna have a friend keep my corals and fish for a bit or put everything I have...corals, LS, LR, fish, and inverts in a big rubbermaid container and set my lights on top. -Greg

 

[stuckinfla]

IMO if a tank is leaking (happend to a 20 to me) get a new tank. If you just repair it, it will have a weak spot and will prob. leak again.

 

[thedocta]

Bubbles would be in the sand and I've always had bubbles in my sand. I'm kinda hoping someone will give me the easiest, most effective, and quickest way to fix it without me having to search everywhere on google and choose one of a million different ways. -Greg

 

[thedocta]

Is that right? It'll have a weak spot? I don't relly have enough money to buy another tank. I guess my 2 only options at this point are fix the leak good and hope it lasts or sell 40 gallon and take a break from the hobby and/or use the money for a little nano. WTF do I do!?!?!?

 

[fishman830]

as a temporary fix, i'd say if you can get some saran wrap, and place it underneath the sand, and over the crack, then put some silicone under tha tank... on the leaky glass

 

[thedocta]

If I were to empty the tank and stuff I'd wanna just fix it then...I'm kinda thinking about the nano idea...what is a good model 0ver 10 gallons with lighting, filtration and all that jazz? How much will that put me out? -Greg

 

[dburr]

There should be air bubbles comming out inside your tank if there is a leak... water comes out, air goes in. Look for where the bubbles are starting if you can. I have no expirience how to repair the leak. Maybe search around here or google
:notsure:

If this was a completly sealed tank, yes. But when their is no pressure from water leaking out, why would bubbles come in????
Docta, you need to empty the tank completly, dry it and seal it from the inside. No way around it.

 

[thedocta]

God my parents are gonna kill me...well I think I might go with a nano cube deluxe with 48 watts lighting...only like 170 bucks plus a stand if I want it. I figure if I seal my tank up real good I can sell it for 150 and tell the truth and say it has a small leak once that was patched very good. Plus I've got 2 PC lights, skimmer, 2 powerheads one with spraybar, heater, 50 pounds LS, and 5-10 pounds LR. How much LR do I need in a 12 gallon? Is 4 WPG enough for most corals and maybe an anemone??? How much LR should I have in a 12 gallon nano?> Do I need a skimmer or is the wet dry built in filter enough? -Greg