Tank Leak

[dugthefish]

January is a year for with a 360g. If you do it right, will be worth it. Would have cost me $2400 to replace tank. In my case was a $8 tube of tank sealant and a $.98 bottle of rubbing alcohol.
Here is tank today:

Ok, so walk me down the process. I'm a general contractor, and just between you and I, I can lay down a pretty nice bead of caulk. I just hate caulking lol.

So obviously I need to empty and drain the tank, cut all the silicone out, clean with rubbing alcohol, and caulk her up? I'm wondering if I can do it without removing all the sand, maybe lay it on the back on some sawhorses and work on it in an overhead position.....

 

[dugthefish]

With 2 overflows it will probably cost near $500

That's one point that makes me wanna just buy a new tank. I've found I really hate the corner overflows. They take up so much space, and are unsightly. They would probably be alright in an in-wall build.

I'd like to have a single, slim overflow like Eshopps or Shadow style....

 

[shoelaceike]

Ya so a non drilled Aqueon would run like $300 plus the store can probably add an overflow for like $50-$75 but U will void warranty

 

[dugthefish]

Ya so a non drilled Aqueon would run like $300 plus the store can probably add an overflow for like $50-$75 but U will void warranty

Ya, I heard that from their customer service department. They "occasionally" use tempered glass, as well.

 

[shoelaceike]

There are ways to tell on that.

 

[Flippers4pups]

My 6ft, 125 reef ready Marineland cost me $350 new a couple years ago. LFS should be able to find one around that for you.

 

[dugthefish]

My 6ft, 125 reef ready Marineland cost me $350 new a couple years ago. LFS should be able to find one around that for you.

Only "fish store" in 100 mile radius is Petco lol. Not that I'd ever buy a fish from them, although I could give the poor jerks a more comfortable death....

 

[Flippers4pups]

Only "fish store" in 100 mile radius is Petco lol. Not that I'd ever buy a fish from them, although I could give the poor ******** a more comfortable death....

Then shipping would be expensive for a tank. Are you 100% sure the tank leaks?

 

[DivingTheWorld]

IMO, when all costs are considered, the tank itself is one of the lowest ones, and the most important. When I was younger, all my tanks were used. Now that I’m a little older and own my own home, I would only trust new. If it was used and already leaking, I’d go another route. I’m not saying you can’t fix it, just that I would worry myself to death thinking about it.

 

[dugthefish]

This is what I came home to today: salt creep. In a glorified freshwater tank.

 

[dugthefish]

IMO, when all costs are considered, the tank itself is one of the lowest ones, and the most important. When I was younger, all my tanks were used. Now that I’m a little older and own my own home, I would only trust new. If it was used and already leaking, I’d go another route. I’m not saying you can’t fix it, just that I would worry myself to death thinking about it.

This is my overriding thought.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Ok, so walk me down the process. I'm a general contractor, and just between you and I, I can lay down a pretty nice bead of caulk. I just hate caulking lol.

So obviously I need to empty and drain the tank, cut all the silicone out, clean with rubbing alcohol, and caulk her up? I'm wondering if I can do it without removing all the sand, maybe lay it on the back on some sawhorses and work on it in an overhead position.....

YES, DRY UP AREA, THEN SCRAPE WELL. CLEAN AREA WELL WITH ALCOHOL. CLEAN IT A SECOND TIME.
APPLY GENEROUS SILICONE BEAD AND SMOOTH OUT WITH A POPSICLE STICK or YOUR WET FINGER. Key: Let dry 24-48 hours. Yes. you can tilt sand away AS LONG AS area is and remains clean and free of sand. Sounds like a lot and hassle but its' not. I used to own a full line pet store and resealed at least 28 tanks for customers with success.
As long as you prepped and clean it correctly, it will NOT leak again.

 

[dugthefish]

YES, DRY UP AREA, THEN SCRAPE WELL. CLEAN AREA WELL WITH ALCOHOL. CLEAN IT A SECOND TIME.
APPLY GENEROUS SILICONE BEAD AND SMOOTH OUT WITH A POPSICLE STICK or YOUR WET FINGER. Key: Let dry 24-48 hours. Yes. you can tilt sand away AS LONG AS area is and remains clean and free of sand. Sounds like a lot and hassle but its' not. I used to own a full line pet store and resealed at least 28 tanks for customers with success.
As long as you prepped and clean it correctly, it will NOT leak again.

How far would you go? Reseal the entire front end? 6" past the crack each way? If water is getting into the frame, it could be coming from anywhere, no?

 

[shoelaceike]

Looks like the brace is cracked as well. Did you buy it like that?

 

[vetteguy53081]

How far would you go? Reseal the entire front end? 6" past the crack each way? If water is getting into the frame, it could be coming from anywhere, no?

Can be from top seam or side seam. If it is at tank seam. do it all (top to bottom) to assure a good seal. You've come that far, might as well do entire seam than to bond parts together

 

[dugthefish]

Looks like the brace is cracked as well. Did you buy it like that?

Not 100% sure, it was covered by the stand trim when I picked it up. I moved the tank several times myself: unloaded to garage, driveway for clean out, back to garage, into house, on to stand, off stand, back on stand. But in a month, the other day is the first time I noticed.