Sprung A Leak!

[titusmighty]

Uhm, it appears my tank has sprung a small leak in the bottom and i'm wondering what exactly I'm supposed to do about it. I've got it dripping into a bucket at the moment but it's a fully stocked planted 30g so if anyone has good ideas on how one goes about repairing this problem, i'd be very grateful!

 

[Maximus]

Theres a pinned topic just for this, right above us



Maximus

 

[titusmighty]

Theres a pinned topic just for this, right above us



Maximus

Thanks, didn't even see that (and I promise I looked). I don't suppose there's a temporary fix while I figure out what to do with my fish and plants? Other than leaving the bucket below...

 

[MadMan-JaMeS]

Theres a pinned topic just for this, right above us



Maximus

Thanks, didn't even see that (and I promise I looked). I don't suppose there's a temporary fix while I figure out what to do with my fish and plants? Other than leaving the bucket below...

your better off getting the fish and stuff out now before it cracks even more !

then set about sorting it out cos you'll be f***** if it cracks anymore.

 

[titusmighty]

your better off getting the fish and stuff out now before it cracks even more !

then set about sorting it out cos you'll be f***** if it cracks anymore.

I called my lfs and they said I could set up a rubbermaid bin, put everything into there and the plants and fish would be alright while I repaired the tank. Does this seem like sound advice or do I need to worry about stuff leeching into the water?

Thanks

 

[DarkEntity]

How many fish/size etc.

Ive got a large plastic tub with a lid from Tesco, i use it when doing any major work on a tank, transfer water then fish to it, the plants go in another one of the same.

Not sure about using rubber though

 

[titusmighty]

How many fish/size etc.

Ive got a large plastic tub with a lid from Tesco, i use it when doing any major work on a tank, transfer water then fish to it, the plants go in another one of the same.

Not sure about using rubber though

Well, i've managed to find a clear plastic tub at target that is about the same size as my tank, not as deep, but both my filters will hang over the sides and the light fits on top. My thought is to transfer everything into the tub, minus the substrate, and run it like a tank until the other one is fixed.

Is there any chance this could work? Should I set up a second one for the plants and put the substrate into it and hook the light up there?

 

[DarkEntity]

The whole repair shouldnt take more than 24 hours at the very most. Id have 2 buckets one for plants/wood other for fish. Filter the fish and just add an airstone to the plants if you really want to. It wont need light for that short time span.

Once done strip out gravel and everything else. Once tank is completely empty clean the area where its leaking. Remember to seal well past the leaking spota nice layer all down the side of the leak. USe a moist finger to shape the sealant. Once sealed leave it overnight to properly set (you dont want to get too far ahead and refil tank to find it still leaks)

Next get the tank filled with water and water alone and leave it for a few hours at least (this will make sure that it doesnt still leak) If you are happy its not leaking, empty tank and then refill again (this is so you are washing any fumes from the sealant away)

Then comes the fun bit refilling and scaping the tank, and adding the fish back (just remember to dechlorinate the water prior to adding filter back on the tank, dont want to kill your bacteria in the rush to get it up and running again)

 

[titusmighty]

The whole repair shouldnt take more than 24 hours at the very most. Id have 2 buckets one for plants/wood other for fish. Filter the fish and just add an airstone to the plants if you really want to. It wont need light for that short time span.

Once done strip out gravel and everything else. Once tank is completely empty clean the area where its leaking. Remember to seal well past the leaking spota nice layer all down the side of the leak. USe a moist finger to shape the sealant. Once sealed leave it overnight to properly set (you dont want to get too far ahead and refil tank to find it still leaks)

Next get the tank filled with water and water alone and leave it for a few hours at least (this will make sure that it doesnt still leak) If you are happy its not leaking, empty tank and then refill again (this is so you are washing any fumes from the sealant away)

Then comes the fun bit refilling and scaping the tank, and adding the fish back (just remember to dechlorinate the water prior to adding filter back on the tank, dont want to kill your bacteria in the rush to get it up and running again)

Well, the tub I found is about equal dimension to my tank so I just stuck everything in there with the filters and everyone seems to be doing fine.

The silicone I have says it needs 48 hours to dry and set. Should I try to find a different one or just follow the instructions?

Also - after getting the tank emptied, it looks like all the seams would benefit from repair? Should I re-seal the whole tank while I've got it empty or just do the leak?

 

[DarkEntity]

Well if you thinkg all needs redone, would you rather do it once, or patch it then have to fix another bit at a later date?