I purchased a second-hand 200g - but it had 2 big holes drilled in the bottom for a sump. For a number of reasons I didn't want a sump, so decided to plug the holes and run a couple of canisters through the top of the tank. To plug the holes, I opted for bulkheads, with pipes glued into them, a cap over the top of each pipe, and a closed valve underneath.
I've never done any plumbing work before, so was very nervous about the moment of truth when I began to fill the tank with water. Twice I filled the tank quarter full, set a bucket under the bulkheads, and waited with crossed fingers for any leaks. Each time it seemed good at first, but then a really slow dripping began (just 4 drops of water per hour). Each time, I siphoned the water out, dried the tank, and applied silicone to all seals and edges.
When the same thing happened for a third time, I hadn't the heart to try any more fixes, and decided that as long as the leak didn't get any worse I could live with it by rigging a bucket underneath the bulkheads. Not ideal, I know, but I reckoned 4 drops of water an hour would take weeks to fill the bucket.
So I finished filling the tank, and began installing air stones, filters, light and heater. A few hours later, the dripping stopped completely. Obviously this was good news, but I couldn't figure out why.
The next day, I'm driving my car when it suddenly dawns on me. Basic physics. Each time I had filled the tank with cold water, condensation had caused the drops to form underneath. Once I installed the heater and the water warmed up - no more condensation.
I'm delighted to have a leak-free tank up and running, but can't believe I spent hours (and a whole tube of silicone) trying to plug non-existent leaks.
Lesson learned - fish tanks are subject to basic physics, and that includes condensation.
I've never done any plumbing work before, so was very nervous about the moment of truth when I began to fill the tank with water. Twice I filled the tank quarter full, set a bucket under the bulkheads, and waited with crossed fingers for any leaks. Each time it seemed good at first, but then a really slow dripping began (just 4 drops of water per hour). Each time, I siphoned the water out, dried the tank, and applied silicone to all seals and edges.
When the same thing happened for a third time, I hadn't the heart to try any more fixes, and decided that as long as the leak didn't get any worse I could live with it by rigging a bucket underneath the bulkheads. Not ideal, I know, but I reckoned 4 drops of water an hour would take weeks to fill the bucket.
So I finished filling the tank, and began installing air stones, filters, light and heater. A few hours later, the dripping stopped completely. Obviously this was good news, but I couldn't figure out why.
The next day, I'm driving my car when it suddenly dawns on me. Basic physics. Each time I had filled the tank with cold water, condensation had caused the drops to form underneath. Once I installed the heater and the water warmed up - no more condensation.
I'm delighted to have a leak-free tank up and running, but can't believe I spent hours (and a whole tube of silicone) trying to plug non-existent leaks.
Lesson learned - fish tanks are subject to basic physics, and that includes condensation.
