Leak Problems!!

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26pets

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Nov 3, 2008
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I bought a used 225 gallon tank last January. I discovered a small leak about 3inches across in the front left of the tank. I cut the silicon out and cleaned it and siliconed it. I havent really had time to mess with it, so its been sitting dry for a few months.:irked: Any ways I tryed to fill it over the weekend It was filled to the top with no leaks for 24 hrs. I woke up the next morning and the tank was half empty running down the drive way and still pooring. I dried the tank to see where the exact leaks were to my luck water was going out two corners and again in the front left where I already patched.

I know I probably at this point havet to just redo the whole tank.

So my questions are:

1. Whats the best way of removing the silicon? and easiest?
2. Is it worth the hassel?
3. Will I have to worry about it leaking again in the future?
4. How do you seal corners?
5. Should I have a frame on the bottom of the tank? Because it seems to leak from the pressure of the seems....
6. How thick of Styrofoam should I have between the tank and stand?
 
Bump
 
Your tank must have frames on top and bottom to balance the pressure. With frames on top only, the bottom of the tank might split apart. With no frames, your tank will leak anytime, especially for 225g, it weights about 3000 lbs.
 
but that depends if the tank was designed with a bottom frame or not. many tanks are built without them and don't need them (because they use thicker glass)

not having a frame does not mean the tank will leak/burst if it was not designed to have one in the first place.

is this an older tank? if so, there are likely no cross braces on the top OR bottom.

which is normal if the tank is pre 97 or so..

however, if there were braces and they were removed, THAT can certainly cause leaks..from excess bowing.
 
Just clean and reseal the whole tank! Not hard to do, just time consuming.
 
The pics really help explain a bit more. I would probably reseal as well but first come up with a better bracing plan. The DIY guys that have built plenty of tanks from things that were never meant to be tanks could probably help out a lot more.
 
26pets;3489602; said:
I bought a used 225 gallon tank last January. I discovered a small leak about 3inches across in the front left of the tank. I cut the silicon out and cleaned it and siliconed it. I havent really had time to mess with it, so its been sitting dry for a few months.:irked: Any ways I tryed to fill it over the weekend It was filled to the top with no leaks for 24 hrs. I woke up the next morning and the tank was half empty running down the drive way and still pooring. I dried the tank to see where the exact leaks were to my luck water was going out two corners and again in the front left where I already patched.

I know I probably at this point havet to just redo the whole tank.

So my questions are:

1. Whats the best way of removing the silicon? and easiest?
Razor blades, razor blades and more razor blades. You could easily use 25 on a tank that size. Remove all silicone. Then go back over it for a double and triple check. Then go over the enitre inside with debatured alcohol to remove any residue and oils from your skin touching the glass,etc.
2. Is it worth the hassel?
If you are capable and have the skills and patience then yes. If you have more money then skill or patience then no.
3. Will I have to worry about it leaking again in the future?
Every tank will leak at some time in there life. Nothing last forever.
4. How do you seal corners?
Use the back of a plastic spon to spread the silicone. Making sure that all of it is smooth and uniform. Pay special attenttion to the corners and move the spoon in the 3 different directions to have a smooth flawless seam. You will probably need 5-6 10oz caulking tubes to put spoon beads on that size tank. I used 4 on a 125g.
5. Should I have a frame on the bottom of the tank? Because it seems to leak from the pressure of the seems....
From the pics of your tank back when you got it I can see why it leaked. Those seams had been Half axxed resealed before hand. And that is what happens when you half axx something. If done right that tank will hold for as long as any other tank with no bottom plastic rims. If you want rims for reassurance they are simple to build out of 1"x2" finish lumber.
6. How thick of Styrofoam should I have between the tank and stand?
With the wooden frame none. With a well built stand none. With a shady frame that maybe uneven i would use 1/2-3/4".
Click to expand...


Thats how i do it.
 
^^ I agree. This is what I used to remove all the silicone someone else used to fix the 125G glass tank that I just got - http://www.personna.com/personna/blades/professional/detail/4-inch-wall-stripper-pro/.

It did a wonderful job because it was easy to control & removed all the silicone on INSIDE of the tank. It also allows you to keep the blade flat on the glass & not cut into the inner silicone seal that is between the glass panes. A single edge razor blade will allow you to clean up any residue that is left behind. I also found that a shop vac helps to remove the small bits & pieces that are loose & hard to pick up.

It is very important to make sure your glass surfaces are clean & dry before applying the new silicone. Denatured alcohol works well but be sure to use it in a well ventilated area. A lint free white cloth works well to apply it.
 
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