HELP - My 220 leaks in EXACTLY the same place after resealing ???

[js302]

Hi guys and girls!

I hope you can help...
Here is a previous thread of my tank build
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?150189-Getting-my-220-on-line!!!!

So my 220 gal sprung a leak at the back, on the bottom, dead centre after a good number of years!
Fine! I figured that I didn't do a great sealing job the first time.

I stripped all the old silicone from inside the tank meticulously, cleaned with aceton and re-layed a new silicone lining.
I mean this was to a very good standard, far better than we did the first time!

I left it to dry for 4 days and filled up no problem...
24 hours later the leak happens again in exactly the same place.

What is going on???
How do i stop this leak permanently???

thanks...

js302

 

[strollo22]

It seems like there may be more of an issue that the silicone itself. Perhaps some sort of irregularity in the glass itself. Any kind of chips in the glass in that area?

 

[js302]

No, no chips in the glass in that area at all.
There is a chip way on the other side but the chip isn't even submerged.

 

[strollo22]

That's weird. There has to be some sort of Vulnerable spot in that area. Can you take any pictures of the spot that continues to be a problem? Maybe rest the tank with the bottom side facing up and put a level across the bottom to see if it's level? Was this tank purchased used? or new? EDIT: Saw you built it yourself.

 

[Adamrhh]

Man that was some dirty looking water






I know it cleared up, just curious I wonder if the silicone you used maybe leeched something possibly?

 

[js302]

its dark out here now.
i will get some photos up as soon as i can.

tank is so heavy and weighs a tonne
i had the glass cut and built it at home

when i looked inside the tank after drying it (before stripping out the silicone) i could see absolutely no evidence of a leak or rip/tear in the silicone, although silicone is probably very good at concealing those.

 

[js302]

Adamrhh - you mean it introduced some chemical that ate away at the glass ??

 

[pigoo]

I just resealed a 150 gallon aquarium recently. Sorry to hear about your leak...I know how much work you put into it to reseal it!

If the glass itself is not damaged...the only thing I can suggest is...put the silicon on thicker. What I mean is...not just thicker in depth...but also a bit wider...so the silicon extends a bit further way on both sides from the interface of the two glass panes.

As I'm sure you must know...the water pressure is the greatest at the bottom...so in this situation...a more generous silicon bead may be needed.

HTH

 

[Adamrhh]

Adamrhh - you mean it introduced some chemical that ate away at the glass ??

Just a thought, and the only reason I thought it was because I noticed how green your water was going in. How long did you let your silicone dry before filling up the water? I know someone who had the same green effect in their tank when they used the wrong silicone that had mildew chemical in it.

 

[js302]

I just resealed a 150 gallon aquarium recently. Sorry to hear about your leak...I know how much work you put into it to reseal it!
If the glass itself is not damaged...the only thing I can suggest is...put the silicon on thicker. What I mean is...not just thicker in depth...but also a bit wider...so the silicon extends a bit further way on both sides from the interface of the two glass panes.
As I'm sure you must know...the water pressure is the greatest at the bottom...so in this situation...a more generous silicon bead may be needed.
HTH

Thanks
I will do that.
A thought - what if i put a short pane of glass flat on the bottom between the 'rear upright' and the 'base' or upright flush against the rear sheet of glass ??
This may add a bit of grip between the two sheets and maybe act as a physical barrier against leaks as well ??

Just a thought, and the only reason I thought it was because I noticed how green your water was going in. How long did you let your silicone dry before filling up the water? I know someone who had the same green effect in their tank when they used the wrong silicone that had mildew chemical in it.

Yeah - water came out of the well like that.
I don’t think it was the silicone that coloured that water.
Nitrates much?
Dried for three days the first time of sealing.
Four days the second time of sealing.
I definitely used an aquarium safe silicone when sealing.