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Offline Slinky

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Leaking tank - For The Second Time
« on: January 06, 2012, 11:10:37 PM »
Hello!  Long time no post for me!

So I have this 35g hex tank that I really like.  It has a mirrored back and a heavy duty wood stand.  But it's starting to age. (I believe the date on the mirrored pieces on the back is 1984.)  About four years it started leaking big time, and I could not determine from where.  I used a razor blade to cut away the old silicone from all the seams, and used new silicone to re-seal.  For somewhere between two and three years I didn't have any problems with it, until last summer when it started to leak again - this time I was able to pinpoint a specific spot about halfway up on one of the front seams.  So far it has been sitting in my bedroom empty as just a storage place for some of my extra heaters, filters, etc...  Is it worth trying to fix again?  Would it even be possible to fix it indoors since it's too cold out now?  I am in all likelihood moving into an apartment in february, and I am not sure if I want to risk it leaking a third time, although I would love to take it with me and put it in the second bedroom (which will be like an office) with 2 or 3 nice goldfish in it.  It's my second biggest tank after my 55g, and I would love to have the tank space back again for more fish!
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Offline ShieldWolf

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Re: Leaking tank - For The Second Time
« Reply #1 on: January 08, 2012, 02:49:06 AM »
I personally don't see why you couldn't succesfully repair it again. Inspect that spot where it leaks carefully. Hopefully its a case of just reapplying a new strip of silicone as opposed to a chip or hairline fracture. Also check to make sure that the stand is perfectly level.

This is probably impractical but if possible I would wait to repair it till after you get to your new place just to minimize the jostling & bumping that occurs during travel. It would be frustrating to fix it then have your work unraveled during the move.

On the other hand if it can't be repaired it would be nice to know before lugging it around. You could always tutn it into a non-aquarium tank if that be the case.

Whatever the case, goog luck.
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Offline Cholly

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Re: Leaking tank - For The Second Time
« Reply #2 on: January 13, 2012, 10:06:05 PM »
I don't see why it wouldn't be repairable. Did you give it an acetone or alcohol wipe before adding the silicone the first time? If not, I'd razor it back down and try that. 95% of repair is a super clean surface. I like acetone because it is kind of super solvent that dries extremely fast, but it is dangerous if you don't know/use proper precautions. Alcohol definitely requires precautions, but nothing compared to acetone.
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Offline Slinky

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Re: Leaking tank - For The Second Time
« Reply #3 on: January 14, 2012, 08:41:09 AM »
I think I just cleaned it with a vinegar/water solution.  Although I like the idea of acetone (I am quite familiar with chemical safety, being a certified laboratory scientist and all, so no worries there  :P).  My primary concern now is that there is a chance I may want to try my hand at saltwater in it, and I don't know if I want to risk that at all in a tank that could potentially leak.   Ahh decisions decisions.
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Life doesn't always come with a set of instructions. In fact, most of the time it just comes. Every morning, like clockwork. It's there when you open your eyes, and it's still there even if you don't.

No good fish goes anywhere without a porpoise.  :)

Offline Cholly

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Re: Leaking tank - For The Second Time
« Reply #4 on: January 17, 2012, 06:48:45 PM »
If you're familiar with the procedures for handling acetone I highly recommend it. I resealed a 125 for a fellow fish freak using acetone two years ago, and it's still holding. It's a salt set up, too.

I've had pretty good results with 90% denatured, but nothing beats acetone as far as I'm concerned. I just don't like using it indoors! I don't have sufficient ventilation to make me happy.
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