Tank leaking

Jvesche20 · Feb 4, 2020

I recently finally got my new tank put up. I had the water filled all the way 6inches from the top. The water was right below the holes I drilled on the tank. Didn’t wanna go above because I didn’t have plumbing. So I finally got everything done and I went to bed and the tank started to leak In the middle of the night. Started to pour water very fast in 2 spots from the bottom trim. I put 5 gallon buckets under to catch the water. I took out about 50 gallons from the 220 and the leak slowed way down and now it’s just a small drip. I looked everywhere and I can’t find where it’s coming from. Is this tank trashed? What do I do? I’m thinking about giving up and selling everything for the next few years

Gabriel Trifa · Feb 4, 2020

Hey there,
Don't got much experience in reefing... but have a lot in building tank's.... Do you see on the silicone line where the 2 glasses meet some bubbling... that's a part where it could appear, or you have some dirt in the silicone... I have attached a photo... it's something like that.
But i would suggest to clean the silicone with a scraper and acetone, carefully take it apart and start over... do not risk to find out where it comes from and just patch with a bit of silicone there....

AlexG · Feb 4, 2020

Never fun to go through this. If this is a new tank I would contact the manufacturer. Did you check the tank with a level when you were test filling to make sure it did not shift significantly out of level? If the glass is not cracked or damaged in any way then the manufacturer should be able to disassemble the tank and reseal it.

steallife904 · Feb 4, 2020

im guessing the force/weight from the water pushed the seems open and leaked. Now with water out they go smaller/tighter again. I would say unless you know how or feel confident enough to take it apart and re silicone the tank is trash. Make sure though its actually leaking from seams before that though. You said no plumbing so im guessing not from there but just saying

Gabriel Trifa · Feb 4, 2020

I didn't thought about this... It is just bought or custom made.. bought but has no warranty anymore?

Jvesche20 · Feb 4, 2020

AlexG said:
Never fun to go through this. If this is a new tank I would contact the manufacturer. Did you check the tank with a level when you were test filling to make sure it did not shift significantly out of level? If the glass is not cracked or damaged in any way then the manufacturer should be able to disassemble the tank and reseal it.

Got it off Facebook marketplace. Looked in great shape when I got it. Made sure it was level constantly.

Jvesche20 · Feb 4, 2020

Gabriel Trifa said:
Hey there,
Don't got much experience in reefing... but have a lot in building tank's.... Do you see on the silicone line where the 2 glasses meet some bubbling... that's a part where it could appear, or you have some dirt in the silicone... I have attached a photo... it's something like that.
But i would suggest to clean the silicone with a scraper and acetone, carefully take it apart and start over... do not risk to find out where it comes from and just patch with a bit of silicone there....

I believe it’s coming from under the tank so I can’t see unless I remove the trim

Jvesche20 · Feb 4, 2020

Gabriel Trifa said:
I didn't thought about this... It is just bought or custom made.. bought but has no warranty anymore?

Just bought it off Facebook

Jvesche20 · Feb 4, 2020

steallife904 said:
im guessing the force/weight from the water pushed the seems open and leaked. Now with water out they go smaller/tighter again. I would say unless you know how or feel confident enough to take it apart and re silicone the tank is trash. Make sure though its actually leaking from seams before that though. You said no plumbing so im guessing not from there but just saying

That’s what I was thinking. The guy said he resealed it when I bought it but said it holds water.

Jvesche20 · Feb 4, 2020

The tank has about 150-180 gallons in it of water. It’s not leaking or anything just when I filled it up to the top

themcnertney · Feb 4, 2020

Can you provide a picture?

Jvesche20 · Feb 4, 2020

Dan McNertney said:
Can you provide a picture?

What would you like a picture of? The tank?

Jvesche20 · Feb 4, 2020

this is how high I have the water and it seems to be fine. I haven’t added any rocks or sand yet. Just have the fish and my coral from my other tank

Gabriel Trifa · Feb 4, 2020

perhaps the guy you bought it from didn't resealed it well.... if you don't get around this... resaling thing... talk to him or with some 1 else...
if the glass is not scratched or something.. i dont think you should trash it... in like 30-60 min u can take it appart and clean it then put it back together... but first contact the guy from whom yoou bought it... tell him its leaking...

Jvesche20 · Feb 4, 2020

Gabriel Trifa said:
perhaps the guy you bought it from didn't resealed it well.... if you don't get around this... resaling thing... talk to him or with some 1 else...
if the glass is not scratched or something.. i dont think you should trash it... in like 30-60 min u can take it appart and clean it then put it back together... but first contact the guy from whom yoou bought it... tell him its leaking...

I texted him. Thing is I bought this back in October and now I’m finally getting it set up. If there’s a leak like this isn’t it more then just resealing the tank?

themcnertney · Feb 4, 2020

Can you get a closer picture of the leak in and around the area? I am a bit concerned with your stand.

Gabriel Trifa · Feb 4, 2020

nope it is not... sorry... do not risk to patch it.... the pressure of the the water will still push the glass walls.. and it could burst... not leak.
it easy(not complicated) to reseale it back... watch some videos on youtube... or ask some 1 in your area if he can ...

piranhaman00 · Feb 4, 2020

Really tough situations, sorry to hear. Sounds like the guy resealed it but did a poor job. Never buy a used tank without a fill test. You are gonna have to re seal it but depending on what you payed, I would sell it as a leaker and start over.

Gabriel Trifa · Feb 4, 2020

Dan McNertney said:
Can you get a closer picture of the leak in and around the area? I am a bit concerned with your stand.

you think it's in the middle of the tank somewhere?
where he has no reinforcement ? there it could be also...

Jvesche20 · Feb 4, 2020

piranhaman00 said:
Really tough situations, sorry to hear. Sounds like the guy resealed it but did a poor job. Never buy a used tank without a fill test. You are gonna have to re seal it but depending on what you payed, I would sell it as a leaker and start over.

I paid $400 for it. How much would a leaking tank go for?