Possible leak?

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paragoned

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 2, 2008
31
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Canada
I started noticing large bubbles coming from the bottom of my tank, an 80g I bought used. It comes very infrequently, so I'm still not quite sure exactly where it comes from. I can't think of a way to make sure other than to watch the aquarium for 24 hours or something (which I can't do.)

I only noticed the bubbles come up about two weeks ago. (saw it maybe 4 times since.) The tank has been setup for almost a year now since I bought it.

I also suspect the bubbles might be from a small part of a rock decoration I have. Micro bubbles from my AC110 collect underneath and pop up when the bubble gets big enough.
But I'm a bit skeptical of that and I'm afraid it might actually be coming from where the sealant joins the front and bottom glass.

Again, I have no evidence of a leak, just a strong suspicion. I haven't felt any water on the surface of my stand or anything.
Just the bubbles. Am I being silly? Would I need to re-silicone? Any ideas on how to make absolutely sure?
I would hate to tear down the whole setup, but will if I really have to.

Thanks in advance.
 
Man Im sorry leaks suck, but only thing i can recommend is just watch where you think i could be leaking. If it is you need to reseal it. I got lucky when i got my 55g it had a leak and i was able to find and fix it before i actually set it up. so just keep an eye on it, and go from there.
 
i would assume that if it leaked, the presure from the water in tank would push water out and not suck air in, the only way i could see it pulling in air from outside is if the whole tank had a vacum. i actually think your idea that air is just building up under the rocks, try moving one every once in awhile and seeing if any air comes up when you move it
 
Unless you have it totally sealed on top, kildragon hit the nail on the head. Only way a leak would bubble would be if it was trying to equalize air pressure.
 
Agree with the other posters.

Out of curiosity, got any snails or labrynth fish in there? Some snails have both a gill and lung system and some fish use a labrynth organ to breath regular air rather than water. My apple snails (tank janitors) go to the top and suck air then decend and release it later on. If I hadn't seen it originate from under their shell every time, I'd assume I had substrate compaction.

I also run a couple of filters that produce microbubbles, most likely from age or the type of media I use, and it's exactly as you say. The micro bubbles collect on or under the rock faces and leaves of my plants and when they reach the tipping point, they release a big bubble, sometimes to the point where I can hear it hit the surface.
 
Sweet, thanks a bunch. That's all I needed to hear.
I've been making water bridges so I guess I got used to the idea that bubbles=leak.
 
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