leak test question

[black6.0powerstroke]

Ok so I resealed my 75 gallon and I filled it up outside a quarter of the way with the hose after an hour or so in 2 spots on the bottom Pane the underneath side looks like it has condensation on it, does that mean it's leaking or is it just from the cold water and the warm are trapped under it

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Possibly condensation. how long ago did you reseal it? silicone can take 1-2 weeks to fully cure, so I wouldn't do any leak testing until that time.

 

[black6.0powerstroke]

Well it's been 30 hours another guy said if it's just the seams then 24 hours would be enough and I heard 24 to 48 hours from joey the diy guy on YouTube and I had it outside so I figured it would be good but I seen that condensation looking stuff in 2 spots but there's no water on the concrete

 

[black6.0powerstroke]

And the ge silicone 1 says 24 hours full cure

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Sure, if you're using it around the house for doors windows, baseboards, etc.

And the ge silicone 1 says 24 hours full cure

 

[black6.0powerstroke]

I'm just saying I heard 24 to 48 hours from multiple people but i don't know I guess it's debatable

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Lol. never listen to that DIY guy. he'll get you into trouble. I would remove all water, wait a week, smell for ammonia. if no ammonia smell then fill it all the way and do a leak test. if you still smell ammonia then wait another week.

Well it's been 30 hours another guy said if it's just the seams then 24 hours would be enough and I heard 24 to 48 hours from joey the diy guy on YouTube and I had it outside so I figured it would be good but I seen that condensation looking stuff in 2 spots but there's no water on the concrete

 

[black6.0powerstroke]

So do you think that condensation looking stuff is a leak or what because if it is I'll just redo it again

 

[black6.0powerstroke]

Another thing Is that before I put water in it today I smelled for the acetic smell and it didn't have it

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Can't say for sure since I'm not there but you could do a test. Get the inside of a drinking glass wet, tip it upside down and put it on the ground right next to the tank.

 

[black6.0powerstroke]

That's a good idea

 

[black6.0powerstroke]

I think I'm going to drain the water and put the tank up on some bricks at the corners of the tank and fill it then and see if it still happens

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

The problem with cure time is that when we use it for aquariums, the bead size is usually larger than what is required for household use. and we need it to be fully cured whereas if you're dealing a window, it doesn't necessarily need to be fully cured before painting or whatever.

Could you get away with less than two weeks? one week? possibly, but it's not something I risked when building a couple dozen glass tanks.

 

[black6.0powerstroke]

Yeah true but I didn't think it took as much time for the seams as it does for the silicone in between the panes

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

I would advise against that as you could be creating uneven load bearing.

I think I'm going to drain the water and put the tank up on some bricks at the corners of the tank and fill it then and see if it still happens

 

[black6.0powerstroke]

I thought of that but I thought if you support the corners it would be fine but I know all to well what happens to a tank when it twist

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Yeah I wouldn't risk it, especially if that silicone isn't completely cured. I would drain in and walk away for a week.

 

[black6.0powerstroke]

Here's the big question say that condensation is water leaking slightly I drain it and wait a week would that stop it or would I have to re do it

 

[cracker]

Black 6 Maybe try setting it on 2/4's try to cover as much of the bottom frame as possible for stability.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

When I built glass tanks I would leak test for a week. What type of surface is this sitting on? does it have trim?