Glass repair without draining tank

[sdbc]

Long time lurker, first time posting. Saturday I noticed a small amount of water in one corner on the floor of my stand. I thought I might have spilled something, so I wiped it away. A few hours later, I noticed a little water there again. I found the leg on the inside of the stand was wet. After monitoring it for a few days, it looks like it's about 1 or 2 tablespoons of water per day. I don't see any cracks, so I assume it's a seam. Leaks don't tend to get better over time, so I'm debating my path forward.

The tank is a 7 year old Visio glass aquarium, purchased new at the time. I don't want to drain the tank. I see a product advertised online, Gold Label Aquarium and Pond Sealer, that claims it seals and cures underwater. Reviews claim it does not affect fish. My concern is if it affects inverts. Does anyone have experience with this product? Does it work as advertised and is it safe for corals, shrimp, snails, etc? Also, would 2 part epoxy used for attaching corals work for this repair?

 

[kvansloo]

Glass Aquariums are put together with silicon. I have never used the product you mentioned, but if it was my tank I would Replace it or fix it right. Replacement is high cost and correct repair is time consuming. Look up how to reseal glass aquarium there is many videos on the proper repair.

 

[Solo McReefer]

Tie down strap it at the very least

So you don't have a blow out at 3AM

You make no mention about what's in the tank

So I will assume nothing. Drain it. Clean it up. Put it up for free on Marketplace, as is.

See if someone will take it away for you.

If not hire some movers to take it to the dump

And buy a new tank from a reputable tank builder

 

[mh0ward]

I don't want to drain the tank.

Unfortunately, I think your tank is probably going to get drained one way or another. If it were me, I would have already transferred everything over to a temporary plastic container that I could find locally while I waited for the new tank I ordered to come in. A quick search on the product you’re referring to suggests that it’s mainly intended for outdoor ponds made of concrete or plastic. I don’t think I would trust it to adhere to already cured silicone.

 

[sdbc]

Thanks for the responses. Unfortunately, the tank is fully stocked with corals, fish, etc. Quite frankly, it has never looked better. Since I am approaching my 70's, I don't have the desire to go through setting up a new tank. If I have to drain the tank then I am done with the hobby. That's why I was hoping for an easy fix to get me through another year or so.

 

[mfinn]

Thanks for the responses. Unfortunately, the tank is fully stocked with corals, fish, etc. Quite frankly, it has never looked better. Since I am approaching my 70's, I don't have the desire to go through setting up a new tank. If I have to drain the tank then I am done with the hobby. That's why I was hoping for an easy fix to get me through another year or so.

I doubt a leak can be fixed with water in it and I doubt there is a easy fix.
I too am in my 70's and would have major thinking to do as to the path forward if my big tank developed a leak.
I've had leakers before and always disposed of them.
My last tank ( 240 gallon) that had a leak in it ( 1 drop about every 20-30 seconds ) I tried to sell as a reptile tank and even offered it up for free.
A friend posted on Facebook for me about it being free.
Several people all posted about how easy it would be to reseal it.
So this one person showed up at my house and said she wanted it.
Said she had several people who would help re-seal it.
I told her unless it was taken apart and re-assembled from scratch it would probably fail .
She believed her Facebook friends and took the tank.
About 6 months later she called me early one Sunday morning asking for help.
It turned out the re-seal job failed and the tank now had a 6" long seam leak ( on the bottom) and water was draining fast.
So I would definitely want to get rid of it.

 

[gbroadbridge]

Long time lurker, first time posting. Saturday I noticed a small amount of water in one corner on the floor of my stand. I thought I might have spilled something, so I wiped it away. A few hours later, I noticed a little water there again. I found the leg on the inside of the stand was wet. After monitoring it for a few days, it looks like it's about 1 or 2 tablespoons of water per day. I don't see any cracks, so I assume it's a seam. Leaks don't tend to get better over time, so I'm debating my path forward.

The tank is a 7 year old Visio glass aquarium, purchased new at the time. I don't want to drain the tank. I see a product advertised online, Gold Label Aquarium and Pond Sealer, that claims it seals and cures underwater. Reviews claim it does not affect fish. My concern is if it affects inverts. Does anyone have experience with this product? Does it work as advertised and is it safe for corals, shrimp, snails, etc? Also, would 2 part epoxy used for attaching corals work for this repair?

Replace the tank.

Unless you don't mind a middle of the night blowout and a house full of dead fish/corals and a saltwater swimming pool for a lounge room.

 

[ss88]

Have you located the exact location of the leak? If you can post pictures of the leak location it would help. You might be able to apply a patch on the exterior. I can recommend a few products I use that may get you patched up.
121 silicone by dow corning, no you do not need the applicator gun. Also would need dow corning 1200 OS primer. Bit of an art to using this product, but can cure within a few mins under the right conditions. This is best down from exterior of the tank.

 

[sdbc]

Magically, the leak disappeared on Thursday. I have been monitoring the location and absolutely no moisture. Either 1) some water spilled in that corner of the stand while I was cleaning and it took a few days to all trickle down or 2) there was a leak but mineral buildup closed it. I will continue monitoring it daily, but I think I am set for now. I am prepared (emotionally and physically) should it reappear. Thanks for all the input everyone.

 

[Dom]

Tank Reseal Project

So I recently reconditioned a tank for a new project I'm working on. And after a good cleaning, I realized that the silicon seal was looking deteriorated. So I made resealing part of the reconditioning. I've included photos below. Have a look... This is the tank that I started with. Bulkheads...

www.reef2reef.com