New Tank/Cyanobacteria/Old Tank Leaking Conundrum

Dear All,
I'd be very grateful for some advice.

I have quite old, (approx 20 years) second-hand Juwel Rekord 70 litres tank with some plants and tetras, barbs and a pleco. I have just decided as a bit of a treat to upgrade to a Fluval Roma 125 litres tank, which arrives in a couple of days time. For the past year or so, I have a problem with cyanobacteria so was looking forward to cycling the new tank as if it were a brand new tank and being cyanobacteria-free at last.

Since ordering the new Roma aquarium, I have just noticed my Juwel tank is very slowly leaking around its base. Just a steady drip but I think it must have been doing this for some time as the mdf cabinet it sits on is quite swollen. My dreams of cycling the new tank may be in tatters as I think I have to move the fish to their new tank sooner rather than later. I just wondered if there was a way around this? I didn't want to transfer the filter/substrate/water because of the risk of getting some of the cyanobacteria along with it.

Is there a way to stop the tank leaking? I think it must be the silicon that's gone. Can I cycle the new tank with all new things in a quicker way? Can I minimise the risk of taking the cyanobacteria into the new tank? I am just not sure what to do for best.

Thank you,
Elizabeth

If you transfer the filter over you should be okay but still keep an eye in parameters/test regularly while the beneficial bacteria really gets going in the new tank.

Welcome to TFF.

On the tank leak, I doubt it can be sealed without emptying it of everything and drying it out. The silicone seems to have been pierced or given way. I would not touch the tank in any way, meaning don't tap it or bump it, and hopefully the leak will be confined to whatever it is and not worsen. Resealing tanks of 20+ years is a common occurrence.

On the other matter...when the tank arrives, be ready to spend the day setting it up. New substrate--saves washing the old, which under the circumstances I would not do anyway--and for the all-round best (for fish and plants) use quality play sand. In the UK, look for Argos Play Sand. Inexpensive and safe for all fish. Without soft sand you are immediately limiting fish options, like cories, loaches. Rinse the sand (it does not have to be spotless, dirt dust is harmless), dump it in the tank, and arrange your hardscape. Plant the plants that are substrate-rooted. Fill the tank with tap water at the required temperature, dechlorinate, and you set. Move over the filter untouched as Lcc86 said, ensure the heater is working (may not need it yet), The plants will help you cycle. You could get a bottle of Tetra's SafeStart, it is the only bacterial supplement with the true species so it can help, as a precaution. This one does not require ammonia, and you don't want to be adding that. You can net the fish over.

On the cyano, don't worry. Cyanobacteria is caused by high organics in the presence of light. There are means to deal with it, but ways to avoid it involve good plant growth, lighting that is sufficient for the plants but not more, duration of light, water changes, keeping the filter and substrate clean of organics, not overloading the fish load, and not overfeeding. Here, give the fish a couple days of fast after this upheaval.

Dear Byron,
Thank you for your reply and help - really clearly put: the risk of leaving the tank leak to develop whilst I set up my new tank, is worse than the risk of battling cyanobacteria. I really wanted to be rid of it via the new tank setup but if it takes 6 weeks to do that, I'm not sure how well my leak will hold up. Worried I'll get home from work to a catastrophe!
I've always been scared to use sand - it just looks too light and would get blown all over my tank in an almighty mess. One day I might try it! Thanks for the tip about Argos if I do.
Best wishes,
Elizabeth

I will just note that the substrate must be suited to the needs of the fish. Without knowing what you intend in this tank, we can't offer much advice. If the substrate gets blown around the tank the filter is too powerful. Sand makes a better aquarium bacteria bed than gravel, it is the small grain size that achieves this.

Dear Byron,
I have gravel as a substrate and am happy with it. I've got new gravel for the new tank but just to have a change of colour and to not carry over the cyanobacteria. It's the leaking tank and avoiding the transfer of cyanobacteria that I am most concerned about.
Best wishes,
Elizabeth

elizabethrosalia said:

Dear Byron,
I have gravel as a substrate and am happy with it. I've got new gravel for the new tank but just to have a change of colour and to not carry over the cyanobacteria. It's the leaking tank and avoiding the transfer of cyanobacteria that I am most concerned about.
Best wishes,
Elizabeth

Click to expand...

The only thing I would add is that sand is easier to keep clean than gravel. I had cyanobacteria in my old tank and it was a nightmare once it got into the gravel, I couldn't get it all out regardless of how thorough I was. Hopefully it won't be an issue in the new tank but thought I'd share my experience.

If you reduce the water level in the tank it will reduce the pressure on the base where the leak is. But the leaking tank is the highest priority because if the silicon (glue holding the glass together) is breaking down, the base could come away and you lose everything.

Blue green algae (Cyanobacter bacteria) can be dealt with by cleaning up tank conditions and in worse case scenarios, there is a chemical you can add to kill it.

Dear Colin,
Thanks for the advice. This is what I worry about - fish apocalypse. Glass, water and fish all over the kitchen floor. I have used the chemicals to try to get rid of the cyanobacteria twice now - double dose each time. But it comes back! Hence my deliberation at contaminating my new set up by transferring anything from the old tank.

Just one question, is it okay to reduce the water level below the outlet pipe for the filter - it’s an external fluval 106 - so the bit the water flows out of sits a couple of inches below the rim of the tank. Should I take out some water and have the water from the outlet pipe falling down onto the surface of the tank?

Many thanks for helping!
Elizabeth

elizabethrosalia said:

Dear Colin,
Thanks for the advice. This is what I worry about - fish apocalypse. Glass, water and fish all over the kitchen floor. I have used the chemicals to try to get rid of the cyanobacteria twice now - double dose each time. But it comes back! Hence my deliberation at contaminating my new set up by transferring anything from the old tank.

Just one question, is it okay to reduce the water level below the outlet pipe for the filter - it’s an external fluval 106 - so the bit the water flows out of sits a couple of inches below the rim of the tank. Should I take out some water and have the water from the outlet pipe falling down onto the surface of the tank?

Many thanks for helping!
Elizabeth

Click to expand...

Sorry I meant surface of the water!

I’ve worked out how to add pictures!

Yes it's fine to drop the water level below the filter outlet pipe. As long as the filter intake is still underwater and the filter is running, you can lower the level a few inches.

Is the frame around the base of the aquarium made from metal or plastic?
A metal frame would help hold the tank together a bit more than plastic but any time there is water leaking out the base, it's a concern.

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Have you got any pictures of the blue green algae?

Which chemicals/ medications did you use to try and get rid of the Cyanobacteria last time?

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In an emergency, you can set up the new tank without substrate or ornaments. Just get the new tank set up asap and move the fish and filter across, then drain the leaky tank.

I know you're concerned about cross contamination with the Cyanobacteria but my concern is the leaking tank. Blue green algae can normally be delt with and it's easier than cleaning up broken glass, gravel and water.

An alternative is to get a large plastic storage container and move the fish, filter and water into that so you can drain the tank. Then you can leave the fish in the storage container for a few weeks while you get the other tank ready.

Dear Colin,

Yes I have some more pictures…

The blue green is not too bad at the moment. I pulled a lot of the plants I had out (2 Java ferns and 2 I’ve forgotten the name of) as they were covered in it. The plant that’s left seems a bit more resistant to it.

Have also photographed the chemical product I used to try and treat it.

The Roma arrived today and is sitting in my lounge. I know the safest thing is to set it up straight away but I feel a bit sad about bringing my blue green algae to the new tank. My plan is to put the current water as it is into the new tank and top up with treated tap water. Would that be the right thing to do?

The frame around the old juwel is plastic as far as I can tell.

It’s in a sorry state, the cabinet is oozing gunk.