royalreef
Well-known member
My fish tank is leaking from the side do u guys now how to repair it it is a 155 bowfront.
Help tank leaking from the side.
- Thread starter royalreef
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Slate
Well-known member
I don't know how to fix it but if it is leaking I would suggest getting everything out and it drained ASAP before it blows the entire seam.
DTECH07
M.I.A
Can you Post a Picture?
royalreef
Well-known member
It is from the bottom where the plastic ring is. I will post some tomorrow as i dont have a camera rigth now.
Slate
Well-known member
By plastic ring do you mean the bulkhead? Like where the plumbing runs through?
DTECH07
M.I.A
Godd Question? or is it in the side seem of the tank?
royalreef
Well-known member
No i mean the from the bottom in the middle.
Krish
RF STAFF
The bottom in the middle sounds like you are talking about actual glass, but when you say the plastic ring, it sounds like you are talking about the actual tank's trim. Is that right?
mcoomer
Who's your daddy?!?
A leaking tank is a tank that's ready to fail. You'll need to drain it and reseal the seams before you can use it again. Sealing a seam isn't a difficult job but it does take some time and elbow grease.
Get everything out of the tank, drain it completely, and let it dry for a day. Pick up some razor blades, very fine steel wool, and acetone. Use the razor to cut and scrape away all the silicone from inside the tank, being very careful that you don't gouge the silicone that is holding the glass together between the panes. Once you've gotten out everything that you can feel, go over all the seams with steel wool and acetone. Remove any remaining silicone with the razorblade and repeat as necessary until you have an absolutely clean surface. Wipe down all the seams with a clean rag and acetone, mask your seams with painters tape, wipe down again, and apply fresh RTV. Smooth the RTV and pull your tape right away. I waited two weeks for the RTV to cure in my 180 but a week-10 days is probably sufficient. If you're doing this in a warm house you'll be OK. Cold garage=2 weeks.
For RTV, get down to Grainger and pick up some Momentive RTV103 (black) or 108 (clear). This is an industrial adhesive and is very easy to work with. There is approximately a 30 minute working time so you've got plenty of time to lay nice even beads and smooth it with your fingers for a pro look. I believe I remember paying $8-9 for a tube so it's not too expensive.
Good luck,
Mike
Get everything out of the tank, drain it completely, and let it dry for a day. Pick up some razor blades, very fine steel wool, and acetone. Use the razor to cut and scrape away all the silicone from inside the tank, being very careful that you don't gouge the silicone that is holding the glass together between the panes. Once you've gotten out everything that you can feel, go over all the seams with steel wool and acetone. Remove any remaining silicone with the razorblade and repeat as necessary until you have an absolutely clean surface. Wipe down all the seams with a clean rag and acetone, mask your seams with painters tape, wipe down again, and apply fresh RTV. Smooth the RTV and pull your tape right away. I waited two weeks for the RTV to cure in my 180 but a week-10 days is probably sufficient. If you're doing this in a warm house you'll be OK. Cold garage=2 weeks.
For RTV, get down to Grainger and pick up some Momentive RTV103 (black) or 108 (clear). This is an industrial adhesive and is very easy to work with. There is approximately a 30 minute working time so you've got plenty of time to lay nice even beads and smooth it with your fingers for a pro look. I believe I remember paying $8-9 for a tube so it's not too expensive.
Good luck,
Mike
ac7av
Bring on the FISH!
Hey mcoomer, why use the RTV and not the GE silicone? Is it better or stronger for a repair like this?
mcoomer
Who's your daddy?!?
I have to admit, I have no experience with GE products. The Momentive RTV is a GE product manufactured under license from GE. I was advised by a couple of big time DIY'ers on Reef Central (uncleof6 and Bean Animal) that it was the way to go and I trust their opinions when it comes to stuff like this. I like it because I can get it at the local Grainger and it's very easy to work with. With a lot of products I hear so much contradictory information that I simply don't trust them. "You can use this one but not that one because it has mold inhibitor. No wait, it's that one and not this one. No wait!" I simply stick with what I know worked for me.
Mike
Mike
jrgilles
Well-known member
I had this happen on my 50 gal sump. Tried to find an easy fix, but ended up having to transfer everything to rubbermaid containers, knock out all the baffles, and get it resealed. I took it to a guy up in everett who reseals tanks. Had tons of fish tanks all over his house. Don't remember his name, but could probably figure it out. Charged me 10 bucks or something to take it apart and reseal it.
rob
rob
BackwerdsMan
Well-known member
ROFL!! I know exactly who you are talking about. He's got more than fish tanks man. It's a straight up episode of "Hoarders" in there.
jrgilles
Well-known member
Hah, yea. Thats the guy. Pretty crazy. Did good work though... well, sump hasn't leaked yet anyway. 
BackwerdsMan
Well-known member
Yeah he does seem to know what he is doing. He has adds all over craigslist. sells LR, natural sea water, tanks, and of course tank repair.
