HELP! Tank leaking from the bottom!!

SallyWho · Sep 30, 2023

My 5yo 120g reef tank has water pooling on both sides- looks like it's coming from the underside- and there's water puddled on the floor behind the stand! I know it's not just fish splash- not only is there way too much of it, I also have tight fitting glass lids. Can't find any evidence of leaks in the plumbing either. What do I do?!?

SallyWho · Sep 30, 2023

Cripes, is that a bad seam? Hard to tell, but there's water pooled in there. No moisture running down from above either.

Dom · Sep 30, 2023

This could be anything; from a drip in plumbing to the first sign of a catastrophic failure.

I'd get some big Brute cans and move everything over until you find and fix the leak.

RedoubtReef · Sep 30, 2023

If you have a local farm supply store nearby, see if they have a 100 gallon Rubbermaid stock trough and move everything to that until you figure out the leak. they usually run about $150 or less I believe. I wouldn't wait.

joe0813 · Sep 30, 2023

Agree with the stock tanks. They are great to have in case of an emergency. Definitely start draining water out as soon as possible and then either fill with fresh water to find a leak or just get a new tank

SallyWho · Sep 30, 2023

Dom said:
This could be anything; from a drip in plumbing to the first sign of a catastrophic failure.

I'd get some big Brute cans and move everything over until you find and fix

RedoubtReef said:
If you have a local farm supply store nearby, see if they have a 100 gallon Rubbermaid stock trough and move everything to that until you figure out the leak. they usually run about $150 or less I believe. I wouldn't wait.

I have a 29g, a 20L, and two 10g tanks sitting empty. My fish are a foxface, kole tang, dwarf angel, a fairy wrasse and a clown pair. Think I can split them up into those tanks temporarily?

joe0813 · Sep 30, 2023

Should be fine splitting them up temporarily but I wouldn't keep them in there for more than a few days. Try to get the stock tanks

Dom · Sep 30, 2023

SallyWho said:
I have a 29g, a 20L, and two 10g tanks sitting empty. My fish are a foxface, kole tang, dwarf angel, a fairy wrasse and a clown pair. Think I can split them up into those tanks temporarily?

Absolutely!

You have plenty of space with those tanks. I'd fill them all with the leaking tank water and move over as much livestock and rock to them that you can.

Once you have the tank empty, we can guide you on resealing the tank.

SallyWho · Sep 30, 2023

Do I dare trust a resealed tank? I have no one to help me move it and no convenient place in house to take it apart myself though. Is it expensive to get a pro to do it?

Dom · Sep 30, 2023

SallyWho said:
Do I dare trust a resealed tank? I have no one to help me move it and no convenient place in house to take it apart myself though. Is it expensive to get a pro to do it?

It isn't difficult, but it is labor-intensive.

Idech · Sep 30, 2023

SallyWho said:
Do I dare trust a resealed tank? I have no one to help me move it and no convenient place in house to take it apart myself though. Is it expensive to get a pro to do it?

I wouldn’t, but I’m paranoid. I’d rather pay more money for a brand new tank and sleep at night.

fishguy242 · Sep 30, 2023

easier ,just better of w new tank IMO...

fishguy242 · Sep 30, 2023

@StatelineReefer Don't you have a 120 drilled sitting idle ?

StatelineReefer · Sep 30, 2023

fishguy242 said:
@StatelineReefer Don't you have a 120 drilled sitting idle ?

I do... Please, somebody take it... I want my garage back.

edd59 · Sep 30, 2023

your tank is the foundation of your reef, and probably one of the cheaper items. get a new tank.

joe0813 · Sep 30, 2023

SallyWho said:
Do I dare trust a resealed tank? I have no one to help me move it and no convenient place in house to take it apart myself though. Is it expensive to get a pro to do it?

mass produced tanks are cheap enough to just replace

SallyWho · Sep 30, 2023

This is really embarrassing and heartbreaking, but I don't have the money right now for another tank.

Mass produced tanks may be cheap relatively speaking, but I don't have the hundreds of dollars it'll take to buy it and have it delivered. I can't leave my fish cramped in small tanks for months to save up for one. I'll contact my LFS as soon as they open (Monday) for advice, but what do y'all think? Do I sell the fish and corals for now to get them into better homes? Then I can start over when I have the money?

StatelineReefer · Sep 30, 2023

@fishguy242 Think you can arrange a rescue mission to get my 120 there? #Cronies

exnisstech · Sep 30, 2023

This could take a while to fix / replace. A stock tank with all fish rock etc would be better than splitting the fish up into multiple tanks and having to deal with ammonia in un-cycled tanks. Toss on a hob filter, power head or two and your good to go for however long you need. Light if you have coral.

EDIT : sorry I just saw funds are a concern.