tiny leak found, how long before it grows?

[homegrowncichlid]

So I notice a drop of water running down the stand, so I went to wipe it off. I noticed water has pooled into the bottom plastic frame of my tank so I start to soak that up with the towel. Then I wonder where this water is coming from. No recent splashes, no water running down the side of the tank, so after half an hour, I recheck, and the water has again filled up the plastic frame. I look around some more, no cracks and still no water running down the side (or bottom pane). Of course by now I know I have a leak in the sealant somewhere along the bottom pane of glass, behind the plastic frame.


Anyway, I know this is not a dire emergency, but once a leak has formed, can I assume the sealant that has detached from the glass is continually detaching and the leak will grow over time?


You guys think I have days, weeks or months before I have to tear the tank down? For now I'm just going to keep a towel over the area to soak up the water.

 

[duke62]

Is this a new tank or did you buy it second hand? How long have you had it. Some tank manufactures have a warranty and I would check it out. As far as how long you have if it were me it would be minutes. I would not sleep knowing the tank was leaking and take action as soon as you can

 

[ohana888]

if it's bigger than 40G - sooner the better. you never know when life happens and then the shoulda coulda woulda runs thru your mind. wood floors? downstairs neighbors? etc...

 

[rookie07]

+1

Get a new tank asap!!

 

[Mattl22]

I'd be at the store looking at new tanks just one those things that u kinda gotta bite the bullet pull out debit card and buy new tank good luck this stuff always seems to happen at worst time

 

[homegrowncichlid]

It's a standard all glass, 65 gallon, 6 years old. Right now, I've stuck a paper towel into the frame and wicking the water into the sump.


Nothing I can do till I order a replacement tank from Petland tomorrow and get it delivered. That may take a few days or week.

 

[isnyc300]

Try checking tank prices from our vendors, It could be cheaper.

 

[reefer4eva]

It's a standard all glass, 65 gallon, 6 years old. Right now, I've stuck a paper towel into the frame and wicking the water into the sump.


Nothing I can do till I order a replacement tank from Petland tomorrow and get it delivered. That may take a few days or week.

Now is a perfect time for an upgrade if you ever thought about it..let me know if I can help (pick up the tank,deliver the tank,help set up the tank)

 

[Jaftica]

 

[Trump]

I'm sure you looked all over already but I'll mention this anyway. I have had several tanks over the years and here are 2 problems I ran into. One tank had a hang on the back filter, the filter was in the back right of the tank. Very slowly water leaked from the filter, ran under the top plastic trim leaked down the back left and pooled in the bottom right. Another tank the power head was pointed upwards to the front top right, water got under plastic rim ran around the back and pooled in the bottom back left. Like I said just letting you know and maybe it?s something simple and you don't have to break everything down and $$$$

 

[homegrowncichlid]

@ Trump


Yes, I've checked the 4 sides for water leaks and they are all dry.


@ reefer4eva, Jaftica


The upgrade will have to wait, I actually just built a wood canopy for my new lighting system, plus I still have all my livestock, which I'm can't hold in Rubbermaid containers and my sump long enough for me to rebuild a new system (which will have a bunch of new features I've been thinking about for a while). I've got to get everything going within a day. If I had no livestock, I would upgrade to a 75 gallon with an up flow algae scrubber and frag tank/ sump.


Currently, I'm able to measure the water leak rate at about 2 drops per minute.
Just called Petland down the block, They told me the warehouse is closed for the weekend but if its in stock, I can have a new tank by Wednesday for $250 plus 25 delivery fee. I think I can go for a week or 2.

 

[homegrowncichlid]

so I've replaced my tank and have had all my rocks in this container for 5 days now. All the pesky palys and mushrooms are dead, but now I'm afraid to stick my hand in. It really stank for 4 days, but now, this cheesy oily layer on top seems to have trapped the noxious gasses below. yikes. The water, is black.


Anyway, since this is in my kitchen, I don't have any easy way of dumping the water (or soup) out. I was going to do a 100% water change and stick an air pump in, but now I'm thinking I'll just grab a rock, take it to the tub and rinse before I toss it in my tank. I'll add one rock at a time till the skimmer relaxes, before I add another one.

 

[ohana888]

so I've replaced my tank and have had all my rocks in this container for 5 days now. All the pesky palys and mushrooms are dead, but now I'm afraid to stick my hand in. It really stank for 4 days, but now, this cheesy oily layer on top seems to have trapped the noxious gasses below. yikes. The water, is black.

ummmm - why didn't you run a circ pump or heater? :scratchch

 

[homegrowncichlid]

I wanted to kill the softies on the rocks. Couldn't cut all the stony corals off though. That was still on there. Collateral damage.

 

[edd]

you want to rinse that real good in tank water or ro water.
that rock must be loaded with nutrients from the die off.

 

[homegrowncichlid]

Not only are they covered in nutrients, they are covered with dead zoos, which I had the pleasure of plucking off.

 

[Weicowireman]

You are officially starting from scratch. For future you must run a heater and circulating pump to keep live rock. If you want to get rid of palys just starve them of light and safely remove them.