Doesnt look good............

[rickyricardo]

I have been taking my time trying to get it right with my tank. I bought it used and had to take the fish as part of the deal. I didnt want them but brought the tank home set it up and then tried to get rid of the fish. Luckily my brother was in the market and took them all. So since then I have been planning my new tank. Obtained substrate (3m colorquartz) made a ugj system, and have been working on the plants. Well finally today looked like the day I could put it all together.

I filled the tank about a third, ran the pump and filter to check for leaks. Everything looked fine. So I added the ugj system with all the plants tied down to the eggcrate and added over a 100 lbs of colorquartz. Started the pump and filter again to start to work on the water. I didnt fill anymore then 1/3 cause I am still waiting for my prefilter kits, should be here tomorrow. Anyway, went back to the tank after about an hour and noticed it leaking.

My tank has three holes drilled into the bottom. One on the left side for out, one in the middle to draw into pump and filter and another on the right side as another out. This is where it leaking. Problem is it is sitting on a sheet of 3/4" plywood with a hole cut out of it just big enough for the pvc pipe that connects to the bulkhead. I am sure this is where it is leaking, at the bulkhead.

What can I do? Anyone else ever have a situation like this. I am so disappointed. My tank should be full right now awaiting some fish to cycle the tank for my soon to be piranha shoal. I cant even imagine trying to lift it up to fix it. I really need some advice here.

thanks.............rick

 

[CHOMPERS]

You will need to get in there with a flashlight to see exactly where it is leaking. See if it is leaking at the o-ring or the threads (or worse, a crack). That will tell you what you need to do to fix it.

And yes, you will need to drain it for the fix. If you used teflon tape on the threads and that is where it is leaking, often just tightening it will fix the leak.

 

[KMKN]

that happen to me with my 60 gallon i drained it and seal it.thats probably the best thing to do

 

[KMKN]

with aquarium sealant

 

[rickyricardo]

You will need to get in there with a flashlight to see exactly where it is leaking. See if it is leaking at the o-ring or the threads (or worse, a crack). That will tell you what you need to do to fix it.

And yes, you will need to drain it for the fix. If you used teflon tape on the threads and that is where it is leaking, often just tightening it will fix the leak.

Tackled this today. First problem was I didnt have access to the whole bulkhead because of the plywood base. I had to carefully remove bits of the plywood under the tank. Fortunately I did this successfully. Next issue was I needed to know exactly what a bulkhead was and how it worked. (I know, it's sad being a newbie )

What I discovered was that it was loose. I tightened it and that seems to have solved the problem. I did see on little "drip" squeeze through in the hour or so its been. I also noticed that it appears there is no teflon tape around the threads. There is still 1/3 tank of water in it. I will wait and see if it starts to leak, if not I will move on.

Do you think if it isnt leaking now I should still empty tank and apply teflon tape to the threads? BTW in the pic of the bulkhead all the silcone was from last nights blind attempt to stop the leak. It has since been removed.

Thanks...........rick

 

[mrfuzz]

Id say finish draining the tank and do it right the "first time" This way say, later down the road when you have an established tank and the leak comes back.. might not have it so easy


Wrap the threads with the tape, and put it back together. The tape will help seal the threads together, so it will not come unscrewed so easily.

 

[Bawb2u]

Let it sit for a while and then take a dry piece if paper towel and touch each place it might leak with a corner of the towel. Once you find the weep, you can have a better idea on how to deal with it.

 

[rickyricardo]

Mission accomplished. Thanks for the advice.