240 gallon acrylic tank leaking HELP!!

[lonewonderer]

need help asap. I just bought a new tank and its used. I had this guys polished it and said he will reseal all the side but I guess he forgot. Is there anything I can buy to patch this thing up? Need help please

 

[marktea]

How high is the. Leak? You might be able to drain the tank below that. Point where you can then patch up with aquarium safe silicon

 

[vertigo01]

I am no acrylic guru but as far as I know there is no way to seal the tank with it full.
You'll more than likely have to drain it, and let it dry out before trying a repair.

Hopefully someone more versed in acrylic fab will chime in.

 

[S-t-r-e-t-c-h]

Acrylic tanks aren't sealed like a glass tank; the panels are bonded together. There's not really an option to use a sealant like silicone, as the adhesion is far weaker than with glass. There are some thicker cements that may be an option, but it really depends on the severity of the leak and you need someone with a LOT of experience to assess and recommend a fix.

IMO, there's no easy way to address this and with something this size, you're best bet is to get help from a professional. If there are any acrylic tank manufacturers in the area, I'd hit them up for help.

 

[lonewonderer]

One drop every 3 sec

 

[S-t-r-e-t-c-h]

I would drain that tank immediately...

 

[lonewonderer]

I stopped the leak. I used loctite gel glue for my corals. Wipe the water and quickly pressed the glue with my finger. I let it dry for a minute then i took my finger off. "Ouch" part of my skin is in there. But it stopped. I'll wait another hour and see what happens. I will put more gel glue after an hour.

 

[lonewonderer]

Ouch!!!

 

[S-t-r-e-t-c-h]

Man, this thread makes me nervous. OP, that's not a fix. You need a professional to look at that before the seam blows out.

Also, is the tank supported on the entire bottom? I'd expect to see plywood between the tank and stand since it's an acrylic tank, but don't see anything there. If the bottom panel isn't supported, that's going to be another issue. FYI...

 

[vertigo01]

I agree with S-t-r-e-t-c-h.
I hate to say it but by staying the Super Glue course, you only put a band aid on a festering wound.

 

[dcmartinpc]

+1!!! You need to drain that tank and at a minimum tilt it up on that seem and run some thin weld on in to the seem. That would be a much better patch job than super glue and would likely weld everything back together. But I would still consult an acrylic expert to inspect any other seems that could be suspect.

Don

 

[lonewonderer]

He will come by tomorrow to check the tank. And I'll update you guys on whats going to happen.

Thanks

 

[Darryl]

please get some plywood under that tank it needs that support between the stand and tank . unlike a glass tank that sits on the rimmed edge of the glass tank!

 

[lonewonderer]

I got this tank from another reefer close to me. He had the exact same stand and tank when i bought it with 300 pounds of LR and sand. My tank will be fish only with only 2 fake corals on it. Do I really have to put plywood while I saw this before without it. I mean the stand i have has a flat top board on top. So why do I need to put another plywood on top of it?

 

[lonewonderer]

Here is what the stand looks like

 

[S-t-r-e-t-c-h]

+1!!! You need to drain that tank and at a minimum tilt it up on that seem and run some thin weld on in to the seem. That would be a much better patch job than super glue and would likely weld everything back together. But I would still consult an acrylic expert to inspect any other seems that could be suspect.

Don

Acrylic cement works by dissolving the material so it fuses together. Doing a repair with water in the tank or really any pressure against the panels is going to make the situations worse. The tank can come apart like that.

OP, good to see the stand is supported and that you have someone coming to help! Good luck!

 

[dcmartinpc]

Acrylic cement works by dissolving the material so it fuses together. Doing a repair with water in the tank or really any pressure against the panels is going to make the situations worse. The tank can come apart like that.

OP, good to see the stand is supported and that you have someone coming to help! Good luck!

Agreed. I suppose I wasn’t clear that draining the tank AND adding the acrylic cement from the inside in the seam is the minimum. That’s what I meant anyway

Don

 

[Darryl]

Here is what the stand looks like

ok did not see the bottom on it in pictures

 

[Scarybo]

I would drain the tank and have it bonded by an expert. I understand it is a hassle and quick fixes seem better. The risk however is very high.

 

[lonewonderer]

Thank you for all the input. I will update you guys after he stops by