!!! DIY 227g Tank Problem !!!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
S

SilverGR

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Sep 23, 2005
22
0
0
49
ATHENS, GREECE
Greetings.
I have a big problem (probably) with my DIY tank which is 227 gallons.
I just put it inside the house yesterday and started to clean it inside of it, so after that i could put the substrate in. As i was cleaning it i saw something between the bottom braces and the bottom glass. As i managed to see it more clearly and accurate i saw that some water has pass through the one (big side) brace and the bottom glass. In some way the silicone let some water pass through!!
May that be a big or a huge problem for the future of the tank?
I cannot risk it to be broken or even be opened in one side or even see my house be soaked in aquarium water after a huge leakage!!! You see there is a little boy (my son) in the house so there is no risk at all!!.
Please help me with serious answers and from friends who knows what they say, not just your personal opinion. Thank you very much.
 
drain it, clean it out, let it dry, strip it and reseal it. Its the only way to be sure its going to not leak. Can you post pics? you'll probably get more responces if you do. Good luck!
 
Are you certain that it's not water that got on the outside face that ran down between the trim and glass and "pooled"up on the brace?

I've done that and freaked out several times thinking the tank is leaking.

My suggestion is to get it all dry inside and out and put a few inches of water in it and watch what happens. Cutting the tank apart and starting over would be my absolute last resort. THat has a whole new set of problems to be concerned with.

It is risky business sealing up a leak by just adding more silicone. It can be done but someone with experiance should determine if is a safe thing to try.

Can you post a picture of the aquarium? Not the leak but the entire tank? I am curious about your build style.
 
Ornatapinnis said:
Are you certain that it's not water that got on the outside face that ran down between the trim and glass and "pooled"up on the brace?

I've done that and freaked out several times thinking the tank is leaking.

My suggestion is to get it all dry inside and out and put a few inches of water in it and watch what happens. Cutting the tank apart and starting over would be my absolute last resort. THat has a whole new set of problems to be concerned with.

It is risky business sealing up a leak by just adding more silicone. It can be done but someone with experiance should determine if is a safe thing to try.

Can you post a picture of the aquarium? Not the leak but the entire tank? I am curious about your build style.
Click to expand...

Here's 3 pics of the aquarium (tank.jpg)and the spot where the problem is(water1&2.jpg). Please advice me im in a very bad position here. Thank you.

water1.jpg

water2.jpg

tank.jpg
 
It is not worth the risk, leaks only get worse, I would reseal it.
 
guppy said:
It is not worth the risk, leaks only get worse, I would reseal it.
Click to expand...

I have the same thought about it, its not worth the risk. So i will reseal it. What about the water that exists in there?? How can i bring it out of there so no water exists and then reseal it? Can i leave it(the water) inside the little space between the bottom and the brace and reseal it without any future problem?? I must also inform you of that : The tank has being build with 16mm glass. I left the silicone cure for 2 weeks and has fully loaded with water & substrate for 3 weeks without ANY leak!!! Thank you for your consideration.
 
I can't tell much from the pictures, not sure what to suggest.

I agree that it's not worth the risk of it leaking. I would also be concerned about "what else" might not be sealed. It isn't safe to cut a tank apart, razor off the silicone and re seal it. The residule silicone left on the edges on the glass will cause a bond problem, silicone does not stick to itself.

Is there a company that builds aquariums near you that could take a look at it for you first? I'm really scared to give advise to you since I'm not there looking at it. This isnt a simple question to answer.....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom