Leak Testing a New Tank.. Where??? Help Please

AUfishguy · Apr 23, 2015

So I recently purchased a 90 gallon reef ready tank and i am building a 29 gallon sump this evening. I was originally under the impression I would only need to leak test a used tank, I have been vigorously informed otherwise. My problem is i am not sure where i can leak test the tank. All of the concrete sidewalks and walkway in my community are on a slope so i cant do it there. I have an older deck on the back of my house but i am not yet sure it is completely level. My only other option is inside the house in the basement beside the sump pump but this seems like a terrible idea. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Also how long do i need to let it run to leak test it? I was thinking 15 or 20 minutes but i have seen thread where people were letting them go for hours. Everything is new except the stand which is a custom stand.

Thanks in Advance

DMan · Apr 23, 2015

I'm in the same boat as you. When I replaced my 90 I sorta did a leak test. I only filled the tank about a quarter high and I let that sit over night( other things to do). I was satisfied that the bottom half of the tank was OK, so I filled the rest of the tank up just to make sure there wasn't a small leak somewhere higher. I did have a wet vac on hand though just in case. It would have been nice to ha e a garage to do it in but even then there is no guarantee the tank won't spring a leak down the road, new or used.

Breakthecycle2 · Apr 23, 2015

Will it fit in your bath tub?

AUfishguy · Apr 23, 2015

No it will nit fit in my bath tub

booth2010 · Apr 23, 2015

I would just do it in the basement, if it does leak it will probably be a slow one so just buy a bag of cat litter to absorb any leaks and have a pump to get water out of tank if it need drained quickly.

4FordFamily · Apr 23, 2015

So for what it is worth, I NEVER buy used glass. I caused 20k of damage to my main floor and finished basement with one leaking, and a fire in my loft and ruined my carpet in my house that was BUILT two months prior.

Leak testing is great, but they can still spring a leak. More importantly, when you MOVE the tank again, it needs to be leak tested again. Tank moves are what triggered both of mine to leak.

Sorry to be a debbie downer...

AUfishguy · Apr 23, 2015

Well the tank is new so I can leak test it where it will sit. It is going in a finished basement and based on what i am hearing if it is leaking due to plumbing it will be a smaller leak. I think i am just going to do it there and hope for the best and have a couple of pumps ready in case it needs to be emptied. Is there any value in leak testing for more than an hour or so?