What causes tanks to leak?

mrdc

mrdc

Active Member
One of my fears is that my tank will spring a leak one day. I have seen several folks posting about their tanks leaking. It got me wondering what are the most common reasons tanks all of a sudden spring leaks. I know two causes are having a tank on an uneven surface and poor tank construction. My tank has been uo for about 5 years so I hope my leak risk has lowered. Anyway, what are the causes?
 
geoj

geoj

Active Member
Rock work falling down and cracking tank.
Moding tank like removing center braces.
 
mrdc

mrdc

Active Member
Ah I forgot about the rock fall. Don't think I will be removing my center brace anytime soon.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by mrdc
http:///forum/post/3251990
Ah I forgot about the rock fall. Don't think I will be removing my center brace anytime soon.

Another cause....Moving a tank with water or sand in it stressing the seams.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by Xcali1985
http:///forum/post/3252096
New feature!!!

Great, now we can get video right on the post, not the smileys, for those you have to click on advanced, or a picture for that we must do 5 steps instead of 2, but by golly we got video right there..how many hoops did you go through to get that up?
 
ryancw01

ryancw01

Member
Seems like many of the leaking problems that I have seen on here were from the 46 gallon bowfront. I had one that leaked also. I just think that smaller tanks and older used tanks were not constructed for saltwater therefore the salt and critters in the sand eventually break the glue down quicker than the newer tanks that are made for this. I notice a huge difference in the construction of my 65 with built in overflow compared to my old 46. The glass is so much thicker, the glue is thicker and it just is sturdier. I feel like when you buy a smaller tank that would usually house freshwater, the construction is just different.
 
mrdc

mrdc

Active Member
Originally Posted by Ryancw01
http:///forum/post/3252185
Seems like many of the leaking problems that I have seen on here were from the 46 gallon bowfront. I had one that leaked also. I just think that smaller tanks and older used tanks were not constructed for saltwater therefore the salt and critters in the sand eventually break the glue down quicker than the newer tanks that are made for this. I notice a huge difference in the construction of my 65 with built in overflow compared to my old 46. The glass is so much thicker, the glue is thicker and it just is sturdier. I feel like when you buy a smaller tank that would usually house freshwater, the construction is just different.
Thats the sort of fear that I have is that all the creatures break the glue down. My glass is thick but i guess it is only as strong as the glue that holds it together.
 
scsinet

scsinet

Active Member
The manufacturer makes more of a difference in quality of the tank versus the age.
Generally, there are many reasons why tanks can leak, and all tanks eventually will leak if left running long enough. Critters can certainly wear on the seal on the inside corners, but the seal usually goes all the way through the seam to the outside edge, where livestock cannot reach.
IMO, the single biggest reason glass tanks leak is stress caused by out of level stands or tortion stress caused by untrue stands. Another big one in my book would be manufacturer defects that don't reveal themselves for some time after a tank has been set up.
 
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