Fixing a leak

[Nebraska_cichlids]

One of my 20G long started leaking over the weekend. I replaced the tank with a new one but am considering to fix the old one rather than throwing it out. Is there a fool-proof way to fix leaks? (I'm talking about the silicon seal, NOT about cracked glass.) Or is it too much of a hassle for a $25 tank and I'd be better off cutting my losses? Thanks.

 

[tjudy]

Too much of a hassle. Get a lizard.

 

[aquaticclarity]

I fix tanks all the time and it’s not that bad to do. If you know were the leak is you can cut the silicone seal out of just the leaking seam, but cut the whole seam out…corner to corner. I use a single edge razor blade and get as much of the old silicon out as humanly possible. The n use acetone to wipe down the newly exposed glass. After a few minutes you can then use 100% silicone, it doesn’t have to be an aquarium brand just 100% silicone, to place a small bead of sealant in the seam. I then go back and use my finger tip to gently flatten out the silicone by starting at one corner and pulling the finger all the way to the other corner to get a nice looking seal.

If you don’t know where the leak is you may have to reseal all the seams.

I’ve resealed leaking tanks all the way up to 75 gallons this way with out incident.

Good Luck,
Jeff

 

[Lisachromis]

I fix tanks all the time and it’s not that bad to do. If you know were the leak is you can cut the silicone seal out of just the leaking seam, but cut the whole seam out…corner to corner. I use a single edge razor blade and get as much of the old silicon out as humanly possible. The n use acetone to wipe down the newly exposed glass. After a few minutes you can then use 100% silicone, it doesn’t have to be an aquarium brand just 100% silicone, to place a small bead of sealant in the seam. I then go back and use my finger tip to gently flatten out the silicone by starting at one corner and pulling the finger all the way to the other corner to get a nice looking seal.

If you don’t know where the leak is you may have to reseal all the seams.

I’ve resealed leaking tanks all the way up to 75 gallons this way with out incident.

Good Luck,
Jeff

Just make sure the silicon is NOT for kitchens and bathrooms as these tend to have chemicals in them to stop mould and mildew.

 

[Mike Wise]

Too much of a hassle. Get a lizard.

Depends on the fool doing the repair. I have replaced glass sides in metal framed tanks! Now that's a smelly, dirty, time consuming process, but I like metal frame tanks.

 

[tjudy]

Depends on the fool doing the repair.

Who are you calling a fool you B-----d? :wink:

 

[retro_gk]

Where is the leak? If it is in the top third, a dap of epoxy will work just as well as silicone. Otherwise, Jeff has it covered.

If you haven't repaired a tank before, it'll take you over an hour to do it properly and you're better off not doing it (assuming you do something else that will earn you close to $25).

 

[Nebraska_cichlids]

Well, you convinced me not trying to repair the tank. Rahul is right, there's better ways to make $25. (The leak is at the bottom of the tank.) I can already see myself kicking the dog and yelling at the wife, while messing with the tank (so much for the "fool"). I pass on the lizard, too.