Salt creep on aquarium base. Has my tank finally come to its end?

[Bubbles3660]

Hi Reefers,

My beautiful 75 gallon marine tank is 10 years old but I fear that it is nearing its end. Recently salt creep began to appear above the liner at the bottom of the tank - so I'm wondering whether the seal is starting to go and I should disassemble. (see jpg)

Question: is it possible to use aquarium sealant on the outside of the tank along the base to stop this? Or is my tank essentially done?

Thanks!

--Bubbles

 

[Reeferdood]

I honestly would not risk a flood, look around the entire tank and see if you find moisture anywhere. If you do, I'd begin looking for a new tank ASAP.

 

[120reefkeeper]

Silly question but is it possible that you had some water run down the front of the glass within the last week or so??

 

[Bubbles3660]

Not a silly question at all. That sometimes happens when I clean my tank but I haven't done that in a few weeks. The corner where I think the leak is coming from is a little damp at the base but there is no sign of it dribbling down from the top.

 

[Reefrookie220]

Moisture means a leak, I'd get some buckets, totes, or another tank. A transfer at the very least is in your near future. When a seam goes, it really goes.

 

[120reefkeeper]

Well unfortunately you maybe due for an upgrade! Is that a good thing or a bad thing. That's in the eye of the beholder. I'd get prepared...... quickly.

 

[Bubbles3660]

Thank you for all your advice. Much appreciated. I am moving my livestock and corals to my LFS for store credit on Tuesday and then I will start to break it down. I've been into aquariums since I was 8 but this was definitely my biggest, best, and most challenging tank yet. I will miss it very much.

Here is a jpg of it at its best.

Cheers!

--Bubbles

 

[TheEngineer]

Why break it down? I think Petco is still running a $1/gallon sale. You could just replace the tank and move everything right over.

 

[Reeferdood]

Time to go bigger!

 

[BoneXriffic]

Time to go bigger!

500 or get out lol

 

[Bubbles3660]

Why break it down? I think Petco is still running a $1/gallon sale. You could just replace the tank and move everything right over.

I could do that but a new 48 long would have to be custom-drilled for the sump with new fittings, etc. - which would take a couple of weeks on order. Not sure I could keep my corals and fish alive in buckets for all that time - we don't live in a big place. I would also want to swap out the sump which is also in pretty bad shape. And my wife is already eyeing the space that would be freed up as well.

 

[BoneXriffic]

Craigslist! Found my 90g with sump, pumps, vhos, heaters and everything for 100bucks lol. Sometimes people need stuff gone and dont care how.

 

[cromag27]

If the tank is drilled check for bulkhead leaks. sometimes water will travel around the inside of the trim and pool up in a place nowhere near the water source.