Should I leak test my tank

TORMENTOR · Jan 21, 2013

I bought a brand new 75 Gallon Marineland aquarium with corner over flow, is it really necessary to do a leak test on it? Ive heard some say no and others that say yes.
I really don't want to have to lug the thing into the garage again and fill it up with it being so freaking cold.

And I don't want to fill it up in my freshly carpeted living room and find that it leaks.

So What are the chances it would leak?

I must be an idiot for even asking this but better safe than sorry.

I guess I will take it to the garage and fill it up if thats what everyone thinks is best. How long do you leave it sit???

ReefPops · Jan 21, 2013

Chances are it's not going to leak, but I would suggest test it to be sure. Better safe than sorry.

islandreef · Jan 21, 2013

I would, take it out in the garage if you have one and fill it, make sure you have a pump to pump the water out.

mc-cro · Jan 21, 2013

just dont do it tonight. Illinois is going to be colder than.... well its going to cold tonight.

I would leak test it just to be safe, and piece of mind. I bought a 160g used, and had to install without leak testing. It was fine, but man was I nervous filling that thing up. My wife was not thrilled either.

Aquaph8 · Jan 21, 2013

Have you heard Mike and Terry's story?

Squishie89 · Jan 21, 2013

I say yes. I bought a 15g column off of craigslist, and I put it into the sink because it needed to be cleaned, and found out it leaked. My Dad would have killed me if it leaked all over the floor. When I got my brand new 90g, I did not leak test it, and felt very vulnerable, but I got lucky and it does not leak. Don't risk it. Better to have that peace of mind.

Scoly · Jan 21, 2013

Better safe than sorry

doughboy · Jan 21, 2013

The leak would more likely be in the plumbing and not the tank. Is the tank fully plumbed already? You can fill it slowly and check for leaks. You may actually risk breaking something if you try move it out to the garage. If the tank is not plumbed, then take it out and plumb it and leak test it.

ReeferBob · Jan 22, 2013

Of course it isn't likely that a new tank will leak, but the damage it will cause if it does makes it prudent to leak-test it. It only needs to be done once. A 75 is not too heavy for 2 people to easily move. With the corner overflows I would fill to the bottom of the teeth to make sure there are no leaks into the overflows as well. This IMO is as bad as any leak since if you lose your return pump, you want as little water as possible draining back into your sump.

SNAKEMANVET · Jan 22, 2013

I always leak test all my tanks,new or used especially used tanks.

Steviereefs · Jan 22, 2013

Yes, do a leak test. You sould not take a chance with this.

AZDesertRat · Jan 22, 2013

I think everyone has pretty much hit the nail on the head. Its not so much the tank you are leak testing but your plumbing and bulkheads.
I have a sticky post here on R2R on bulkhead installation tips that you may find informative and will give you leak free results as far as plumbing the bulkheads goes.
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/eq...iscussion/34973-installing-bulkhead-tips.html