Rats, Got a leak...

[nero6370]

But not a bad one. It's in the bottom left corner; no drips at all, just the dark spot on the plywood. I emptied and dried her, then stripped the silicone in that corner from top to bottom and a couple of inches out from the bottom corner as well. So now I guess it's dry and re-silicone and see what happens. Hope these pics upload; I can't take too much more after that last episode with the other pics...lol

 

[The Amazonian]

That sucks!!! keep us posted!!

 

[nero6370]

Well, let's try again... I let the silicone cure according to instructions and filled 'er up. She seems to be fine; been full about 6 hours now. No leaks, drips, watermarks, or anything. I think I will let her sit for a few days to be on the safe side... I don't need a divorce, because thats what would happen with 180 gallons on my floor!!

 

[gomezladdams]

Nice looking tank Good luck

 

[vanimate]

Looks pretty good! Lets hope the silicone holds this time.
What are the tank dimensions?

 

[nero6370]

I am so pissed right now I could eat nails... The darn thing is leaking again, same exact spot... It was fine last night, like I said earlier, but when I checked this a.m. another leak. So I guess it's try, try again. I just wish I knew why that corner is giving me problems (front, bottom left corner). When I strip that corner this time, how far should I strip? The last time (see previous pics) I stripped a couple of inches towards the back panel and along the front bottom edges. Was that a mistake? Let me know if I should be doing this different... Thanks Tom


BTW the tank is 48x36x24

 

[amylim]

Not sure if this will help, but from your second photo, it looks like when you stripped the silicone, you took along with it part of the water-proving coating (fiberglass or marine paint?). Silicone does not adhere well to cured silicone or to bare wood.

 

[nero6370]

That's a good point, I should have reapplied the drylock to those bare areas but I thought it would be fine since the silicone was going to cover it anyhow... my mistake. Here's one to ponder... when I got home from work today and checked the tank, there wasn't any leak. I am serious; no puddle of water on the ground and the wood was just about dry to the touch where it was leaking 12 hours previously. It was suggested to me (by my wife, who else?!) that the wood expanded when it absorbed the water and sealed itself. I dont' know; I love her but I have my doubts on that one! Anyhow, it's drained again and I will try reapplying the drylock to any bare areas (after it dries for a couple days), then more silicone. If there are any other suggestions different from what I plan to do, please let me know. Thanks, Tom

 

[ammerman19]

sounds good since nothing will stick to cured silicone including silicone

 

[Dr Joe]

That's a good point, I should have reapplied the drylock to those bare areas but I thought it would be fine since the silicone was going to cover it anyhow... my mistake. Here's one to ponder... when I got home from work today and checked the tank, there wasn't any leak. I am serious; no puddle of water on the ground and the wood was just about dry to the touch where it was leaking 12 hours previously. It was suggested to me (by my wife, who else?!) that the wood expanded when it absorbed the water and sealed itself. I dont' know; I love her but I have my doubts on that one! Anyhow, it's drained again and I will try reapplying the drylock to any bare areas (after it dries for a couple days), then more silicone. If there are any other suggestions different from what I plan to do, please let me know. Thanks, Tom

She could be right...that's how they seal wooden barrels (and why they leak when they're dry).

But the tank will keep slowly leaking, then rotting. Then come the tears and heart break.

I hate to be the one to tell you but you may have to put alot more silicone out the that.

What makes you thing the silcone is leaking right at the corner? It could be farther away and following the seam to the corner.

Dr Joe

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