Leaking 100 gallon tank, reseal or will it just happen again?

[Ratman2050]

I purchased a second hand 100 gallon tank/filters/rocks etc from a guy all for about $85. The previous owner warned me about a leak on one corner of the tank, and told me the tank was several years old.

This is my first time owning a large aquarium I've only had a 10 gallon in the past so it was also my first time re caulking. I bought the GE Silicone I for windows and doors and applied it to the corner that leaked for the previous owner. However, I did not do any other sides as the person said just the corner was leaking...my mistake.

After I let the corner seal up and dry for 48 hours I filled it to the top with water only for about 3-4 days. No leakage, so I then decided to put it on my iron stand and in filled it with water, rocks, and gravel. In about 20-24 hours the back side starting leaking..not the corner that I resealed but the bottom back side of the glass that is 6ft long.

Now after a long scolding from my parents I am planning to reseal all 4 corners and all bottoms of the glass with silicone. I am open to any suggestions, I obviously won't be removing the glass panels and resealing everything, I'm just resealing the inside of the panels and the outside of the panel that leaked.

However, I do have a question, why did it not leak when it was filled with water on the ground in my room for 3-4 days but yet it leaked in less than 24 hours upon being on a stand with gravel/rocks (probably 200lb extra I would assume)? How will I know the tank will not leak again even if I reseal everything? How long should I do the water test this time, a week, 2 weeks?

I think I spent 2-3 weeks of hard labor prepping up the tank, filters, fish, etc. and even though I would hate to throw it all aside, it's better than having it leak again.

By the way, I had 4 bluegill, 1 violet goby, 1 pleco, 2 minnows, and a crayfish when it started to leak, they are all in large buckets for the meantime .

Thanks

 

[zoohouse]

You will have to cut the bottom pane loose and reattach it. In the diy section there is a pretty recent post where a guy had the same problem and tried numerous times to fix the leak to end up having to remove the bottom. His last post he explains the fix pretty detailed. I know this from personal experience also, I just fixed a 110g for the 2nd and final time bought on craigslist with a minor leak in back seal. I fixed it, or so I thought until the back seam split. As to why, more than likely the stand isn't true and the pressures on the bottom glass is causing a sag. GL

 

[Ratman2050]

You will have to cut the bottom pane loose and reattach it. In the diy section there is a pretty recent post where a guy had the same problem and tried numerous times to fix the leak to end up having to remove the bottom. His last post he explains the fix pretty detailed. I know this from personal experience also, I just fixed a 110g for the 2nd and final time bought on craigslist with a minor leak in back seal. I fixed it, or so I thought until the back seam split. As to why, more than likely the stand isn't true and the pressures on the bottom glass is causing a sag. GL

Thanks for the advice, I will try looking for the thread. So the 2nd time you re caulked it, it worked? That's good to hear. Yes the stand isn't the best of the best I would have preferred a wooden stand but maybe I can put some concrete blocks underneath to make 1 pillar in the middle underneath some wood to remove some pressure that is focused on the tank edges/stand edges.

 

[smitty03281964]

It also can be caused by poorly cut glass. Once the weight is put on it the leak is again exposed. I had the same problem and what I did the second time I had to reseal it was I sat the rocks in the bottom then did my sealing and it did not leak after that.

 

[Ratman2050]

Do you think if I put a plywood board over the top of the stand then set the tank on top if it, it would take off some pressure on the sides? Also, I don't know if this related or not but my tank when filled the water level is uneven, I don't know if it's the glass or the floor (which is carpet over solid concrete, used to have a hot tub in the room).

Lastly, how long would a good reseal usually last? I want to make sure it doesn't happen again, and if it does I can know when to expect/prevent it, thanks.

 

[Ratman2050]

Do you think if I put a plywood board over the top of the stand then set the tank on top if it, it would take off some pressure on the sides? Also, I don't know if this related or not but my tank when filled the water level is uneven, I don't know if it's the glass or the floor (which is carpet over solid concrete, used to have a hot tub in the room).

Lastly, how long would a good reseal usually last? I want to make sure it doesn't happen again, and if it does I can know when to expect/prevent it, thanks.

BUMP, I just resealed the tank again, and letting it water test outside. However, the tank water level is still uneven to about 0.4 inches or 1.1cm. I am pretty sure it is the tank because I put it on the metal iron stand I have on top of a concrete floor, then a wooden floor, and it was still uneven. What can I do, it's not that big of an unevenness but still..

I am putting foam under the stand and a plywood board on top of the metal stand to relieve stress that goes to the corners. Any other suggestions? Should I shim the stand as well?

 

[z400]

Never mentioned breaking out a level to check to see if the floor is level, the stand is level and or if the tank is level..


Why not try that?

 

[Ratman2050]

Never mentioned breaking out a level to check to see if the floor is level, the stand is level and or if the tank is level..


Why not try that?

I'm not sure what you're saying I should do?

But, when I put my tank on the concrete floor directly it had the the unevenness, then when I put the tank on the stand on the concrete floor it had the same unevenness, and finally when I put the tank on the stand on the wooden porch it had the same unevenness. So most likely it has to be the tank itself right?

 

[deeda]

No, that means the surface you set the tank on is not level and plumb. It's helpful to use a 4 foot long level to check for a level surface, front to back and side to side.

The stand, concrete floor and wooden porch may not be level to start with. Check them first.

 

[z400]

Never mentioned breaking out a level to check to see if the floor is level, the stand is level and or if the tank is level..


Why not try that?

I'm not sure what you're saying I should do?

But, when I put my tank on the concrete floor directly it had the the unevenness, then when I put the tank on the stand on the concrete floor it had the same unevenness, and finally when I put the tank on the stand on the wooden porch it had the same unevenness. So most likely it has to be the tank itself right?

I HOPE you are only kidding and are trying to be some what funny.