Best way to tell if a used tank leaks?

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SirSingsAlot

Gambusia
MFK Member
Dec 9, 2012
176
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16
Western Washington
So im going to buy this 180 gal tank that i just cant pass up. It's only $150 and it comes with a stand and top. Im concerned that its too good to be true. I checked it out today and it looks good. Its acrylic 1/2" thick and dimensions are 72" x 24" x 25. It has a few scratches but nothing major from what i can tell.

The guy said he would fill it with water for me. Although he would rather not. Any suggestions to make sure that its a steal? The guy seems genuine in regards to the tank.

Suggestions on filtration?

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Just tell him to fill it for you. As for filter suggestion, what is the stock of the tank going to be?


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Im thinking about ordering some trimacs from jeff rapps to house a pair or put a fahaka in there or a community of cichlids and others. I like the trimac pair idea best though. I always wanted a trimac. What would be the least maintenance? I probably wont stock the tank for awhile though.

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Say worst case scenario there was a minor leak that slips past me when i have him fill it. Is there a way to fix it?

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Yea if there's a pinhole leak somewhere, you can get acrylic cement from weld-on. Although acrylic doesn't usually get small leaks cuz that would assume it wasn't welded right in the first place. When an acrylic tank leaks, it's usually not a "small" issue.


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Also, if you're concerned about the seams, run a thin bead of silicone on the inside of the tank. It will stick and cure just like glass. It's not viable for holding acrylic together under pressure, but if it eases your mind, it won't hurt.


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Silicone will not seal acrylic. It will hold a baffle in place in a sump, but it will not hold long under pressure such as a seam would have. Weld on is what you should use. The best way to test a tank for leaks is to fill it with water.
 
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