Reef tank damaging DRYWALL ?!?!?

j.falk · Nov 16, 2020

When I was looking at my tank this morning I noticed that the drywall mud/seam area directly behind the tank is now bubbled up and damaged. Now I'm not sure what to do? In order to repair the damaged area, I'll have to move the tank...but if it's just going to happen again, what's the point of putting it back? Should I just move the tank to the basement where no one will get to enjoy it and it will probably not be taken care of? Should I take it down and be done? I'm at a loss here...

homer1475 · Nov 16, 2020

My tank sits right behind a joint to, never been an issue. Is the wall painted?

boatguy · Nov 16, 2020

Prob the moisture from the tank. Maybe you could put a plastic barrier to prevent further damage. That way you could fix at a later date. I would also put some fans to dry it out so you don't get any mold. Sorry that happened. Is the wall painted with Flat paint? I think satin might resist moisture a little better.

Zach B · Nov 16, 2020

A plastic piece of sheeting behind the tank for easy cleaning might work if water is spashing. I've had this happen in the past from the smallest water droplets

NJBillyV · Nov 16, 2020

Yea that area is seeing a lot of moisture from the tank, I've never had that happen. He's right though, it probably wouldn't be as bad with satin paint.

What's the point of having a tank if you can't enjoy it, so the basement is out of the question. I say dry it up with a couple of fans and get a nice piece of water resistant material to cover it.

j.falk · Nov 16, 2020

homer1475 said:
My tank sits right behind a joint to, never been an issue. Is the wall painted?

Yep. Fully painted with 2 layers of primer and painted with 2 layers of Valspar satin paint.

j.falk · Nov 16, 2020

Would I still have the same problem if I switched over to freshwater? I'm assuming I would.

JGT · Nov 16, 2020

j.falk said:
When I was looking at my tank this morning I noticed that the drywall mud/seam area directly behind the tank is now bubbled up and damaged. Now I'm not sure what to do? In order to repair the damaged area, I'll have to move the tank...but if it's just going to happen again, what's the point of putting it back? Should I just move the tank to the basement where no one will get to enjoy it and it will probably not be taken care of? Should I take it down and be done? I'm at a loss here...

Can’t see the size or shape of the wall but if it’s contained within the space of the tank, you could do an accent wall behind the tank with either barn wood, tile, or tile that looks like wood.

Cell · Nov 16, 2020

Just go bigger and you won't see the spot anymore.

excell007 · Nov 16, 2020

My tank is in the same location for 15 years, 3 inches away from wall behind it, no issue with the dry wall. How's the ventilation on that room?

JoshH · Nov 16, 2020

j.falk said:
When I was looking at my tank this morning I noticed that the drywall mud/seam area directly behind the tank is now bubbled up and damaged. Now I'm not sure what to do? In order to repair the damaged area, I'll have to move the tank...but if it's just going to happen again, what's the point of putting it back? Should I just move the tank to the basement where no one will get to enjoy it and it will probably not be taken care of? Should I take it down and be done? I'm at a loss here...

Your issue looks to be air behind the tape on the joint itself, when moisture penetrates into the wall anywhere the tape didn't have 100% mud behind it will bubble up. Not a fun or easy fix by any stretch of the Imagination. I can walk you through repairing it if you wish and once it's done you do have a few options to prevent it in the future.

To prevent this issue on my tank I screwed 3/4" finished plywood behind the tank and painted it with an exterior semi-gloss finish. Then matched the trim to the tank stand.

j.falk · Nov 16, 2020

I figured it out. When I was working on the tank the other day I had the lid off...I was in a hurry and didn't check things over when I was done. The cords weren't put back right and I'm sure it's letting some moisture out in that area...which is right in front of the damaged part of the wall.

CraigAqua · Feb 27, 2021

I'm in the same boat here--Drywall bubbled up. I sanded it down smooth prior to repainting, but I can still see the damage through the new paint. I'm wondering if the salt is causing an issue. I'd hate to have to cut out the spot of drywall (about 2x3 feet) and replace it. Not my favorite thing in the world to do.

Celestion · Feb 27, 2021

Next winter get a small safe modern space heater under the tank set at 80

tehmadreefer · Feb 27, 2021

Put a fan in the stand, but the damage is already done. So, gonna have to leave it or break down tank and fix it. Your choice.

j.falk · Mar 22, 2021

I ended up taking the tank down and repairing the wall. No more aquariums for me for the time being. Maybe sometime later on down the road after we move.