So my tank is 160 gallons, it has developed a pinhole size leak in the right hand lower corner. I currently have it sealed with flex tape. I put some silicone on plastic and crammed it into the bottom corner of the tank in hopes it will seal the leak. Are there long term implications of having flex tape sealing this leak in the silicone if the silicone I applied doesn't work? I also found a product called underwater magic () that I am considering using if the silicone does not work. Thanks for any help...this sucks.
Tank leak, silicone problem
- Thread starter Tikosyn
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The District Reef
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That does suck! The flex tape might work in the short-term, but it could push additional pressure to other areas along that seam. I don't know that for sure though. I hate to say this, but I think the safest course of action is to drain the tank and reseal the leak from the inside.
I had a similar problem about a year ago along the bottom edge of my tank. My buddy recommended that I move the fish/coral to a temporary tank, use a razor blade to remove the old silicone, seal it with new silicone, wait 24-48 hours, then check to make sure the leak was fully sealed. It turned out great in the end, and I'm confident I won't have any more problems....but it was also huge pain in the butt for a 40 breeder. I'm assuming it would be a bigger pain on a 160 gallon tank.
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I am former Pet store owner and have sealed many tanks successfully.
Quite frankly, your best bet is to empty tank, vinegar clean entire seam and cut it away with razor. Scrape area free of old silicone and then alcohol wipe it.
Apply a nice bead of new aquarium sealant (not silicone) and let dry for two days. Will be as good as new/
So, what to do with everything in tank?? Get yourself a Rubbermaid tub and use it as an aquarium using heater, lights, and circulation pump. Everything will survive.
After you repack tank, use Good carbon or chemiPure to condition water and keep chemistry in check
Quite frankly, your best bet is to empty tank, vinegar clean entire seam and cut it away with razor. Scrape area free of old silicone and then alcohol wipe it.
Apply a nice bead of new aquarium sealant (not silicone) and let dry for two days. Will be as good as new/
So, what to do with everything in tank?? Get yourself a Rubbermaid tub and use it as an aquarium using heater, lights, and circulation pump. Everything will survive.
After you repack tank, use Good carbon or chemiPure to condition water and keep chemistry in check
