Tank Leak! - What Silicone to Use?

[Mandosh]

Originally Posted by Oscar

A few of you mentioned replacing the tank. Why? Are repairs not successful?

grant

It's more the fact the repairing a tank is a pain and takes time to do properly. If you had a smaller, standard-sized tank, it is usually easier to just spend the extra bit of money and buy a different tank.

[sphelps]

A tank leak can cause significantly more damage than what the tank is worth. Tanks usually leak a reason other than one particular defective seam meaning if you repair one leak another could potentially form somewhere else shortly after. Repairs are also difficult and sometimes not possible, just running another bead over the existing one will likely offer a temporary fix.

So depending on the size, value and age of the tank, more often than not it's a better move to replace the tank completely.

[cav~firez22]

Orca underwater Silicone works. Use clams to ease pressure of full tank (compress glass) let sit for 24 hrs, works well have used it several times on old hagen tanks!

[FragIt Dan]

Here is a thread on the silicone:

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=88436

Having resealed tanks several times myself, I would replace the tank given the opportunity.

Dan

[wickedfrags]

sure its the tank? Ask them to investigate further, 99% of the time is is something else associated with the tank such a filtration device of some sort

[howdy20012002]

after reading that link from Fragit Dan
apparently you can get aquarium safe stuff at home hardware
just make sure that it says safe for aquariums
Neal

[FragIt Dan]

Originally Posted by Oscar

I was mistaken, no silicone at home.

I will head to Home Hardware to see if I can find the silicone that Fragit Dan suggested.

A few of you mentioned replacing the tank. Why? Are repairs not successful?

grant

Yes, multiple attempts at sealing the leak before I got a dry tank. As mentioned by others, silicone does not stick to cured silicone so you need to cut a lot out and make sure the surfaces are really clean. +1 on the comments regarding the other seams potentially being ready to go as well. I had a stand go on a 75G FOWLR tank in 1997... final insurance tally was $66K. I would expect more than four years out of a tank so there might be other issues with it. If a leak isn't going to cause a lot of damage to your house you might want to risk it, but perhaps not. The tanks I have resealed are on a cement floor in my basement so no real risk to damage the house,
Dan

[Royal Aquariums]

We have Orca underwater glue available, it works great.

http://www.royalaquariums.ca/p/464/o...ter-glue-black

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Royal Aquariums

We have Orca underwater glue available, it works great.

http://www.royalaquariums.ca/p/464/o...ter-glue-black

This stuff is pretty good for underwater glue, but not for repairing a blown seal on a tank. If a seam is leaking, it needs to be repaired properly.

[Spyd]

You need to cut the silicone away and clean it with alcohol to completely dry the surface and remove the water that is in the joint as well. Next, fill the joint but ensure there are no air bubbles whatsoever. It is best to do with 2 people. 1 person filling and the other person watching from the outside to ensure no air bubbles are present while caulking. Use a silicone caulking applicator to push the silicone in place and create a nice clean bead. Wait a good 3 days before putting water back into the tank.

Honestly, a new tank is all ways a better option than trying to do repairs...