Dazarmy Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 .Hi Everyone I need some help with fixing my leaking tank. I have a 6 foot tank, and a few weeks ago i got up in the morning and it had lost almost half of the water overnight. I emptied it completely, cut out the silicone and replaced with new silicone. I filled up the tank which seemed fine and held water for a few days. After a few days, the same thing happened. All of a sudden it was leaking again and lost half of the water overnight. I went through the same process again and refilled. Everything was fine for about 2 weeks and I thought it was all fixed, but woke up this morning to the same problem. I think I am doing everything right, and it works for a while but will all of a sudden have a leak again and lose water quickly. I must be doing something wrong, but I don't know what. Can anyone help with some suggestions or tricks to make sure it works this time. Thanks Darren Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
none Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 What are you doing by way of prep in between the two stages below? I emptied it completely, cut out the silicone and replaced with new silicone. Also are you sure it isn't cracked? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazarmy Posted December 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 Thanks for replying. I have checked for cracks and can't see any. I cut out the silicone then scrape it all back to the glass with a flat razor blade. I clean all the corners with acetone and then do another clean with water. After completely dry I apply new silicone which is selley's for use with aquariums and then let cure for a week before refilling. I left for a few days to make sure it wasn't leaking, then emptied again in case the water is contaminated with any silicone residue, and then put everything back in and refill before putting any fish back in. I was sure I had resealed properly but must be doing something wrong? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cod Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 it is the tank leaking? u see water comeing out at edges? or u just finding it half empty and water on floor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ado_84 Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 its not draining through an air line or a leaking canister filter is it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazarmy Posted December 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 I can't see where it is but is coming out from under the tank. The tank seems to be dry so not from the edges. The filters are under the cabinet but the water is coming out from above them. I have checked the filter hoses and air lines and none of them are wet or seem to be dripping. It's coming out pretty quickly from along the cabinet just under the tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix230197 Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 Does the tank stop draining when you get below a certain level of water? Maybe there is a ridge in the stand or floor that is causing the glass to flex and it's causing a gap to form in the silicone over time. Do you have foam under the tank? Have you resealed all of the edges of the tank? Just trying to think out of the box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
none Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 It is very strange that you would lose the water so fast - 300l in one night and it just stays at that level. Normally use metho once all old silicone has been removed before re-sealing. It is very odd that re-sealing would work for 2 weeks then it drops by half in one night. What type of filters cannisters or sump? If sump have you checked your tank fittings? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazarmy Posted December 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 Thanks. It seems to keep leaking when the water is lower too. I have 2 external canister filters, but it's leaking from above where the filters are. There is foam under the tank and I resealed all edges and corners last time so did the whole lot. It is strange that it holds fine for a couple of weeks but then loses water so quickly when it does leak. I'm stumped and all I can't think of what I could do differently to fix again. None of the sides are wet at all and all hoses and tubes from the tank are dry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
none Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 Really odd. The fact that it is not leaking straight away after you re-seal suggests that you are temporarily fixing the problem so it may come down to insufficient prep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 Sounds like it is slowing delaminating.... I'd pull the tank apart and glue it together again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lictoga Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 I vote full tear down and re build Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazarmy Posted December 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 Thanks everyone. I was hoping that it wouldn't have to come to that. Sounds like a big job and it's something I haven't done before. Does anyone know what sort of glue I would use and how do I pull it apart and brace it together afterwards? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lictoga Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 Dow corning 999 A Lot of DIY builds on how to rebuild a tank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix230197 Posted December 18, 2014 Report Share Posted December 18, 2014 Speaking of glue/silicone, has anyone seen or used a product called nano470? Seems to have a massive weight load and apparently dries clear under fluro light, kind like the UV stuff. Couldn't see if its aquarium or food safe specifically in the msds. it is expensive though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lictoga Posted December 18, 2014 Report Share Posted December 18, 2014 Remember you need a small amount of flex in the silicone so it dosnt crack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazarmy Posted December 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2014 Thanks Lictoga. What do you mean by "you need a small amount of flex in the silicone" . Isn't the silicone already flexible? Do I need to add something to it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazarmy Posted December 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2014 Oh, and where do I get Dow corning 999 A? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lictoga Posted December 18, 2014 Report Share Posted December 18, 2014 Oh, and where do I get Dow corning 999 A? Glass people Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
