Crack in Tank?? Crack in Filter?? Help!!

[skjl47]

Hello; I am unsure of the leak as you describe it. Leaks can be tricky to trace down. I have an old bubble up filter that drips onto the floor when the filter medium becomes clogged. I have to keep an eye on it. Some materials will wick water and cause a leak. I have had the surface film and bubble action cause water to work its way thru the plastic rim at the top of a tank and run down a corner making me think the tank was leaking. A bubbler can create a mist at the surface that throws water out of the tank or allows water to condense in places where it drips. (I like to position a bubbler so that the spray hits somewhere under the waterproof cover and drips back into the tank.) Of course, tanks and filters can develop leaks due to some structural problem.

I check a tank by sitting it up with only water in it. I try to dry the outside and try not to spill water on the outside when filling. Let it sit for a while and check for water on the outside. (A paper towel or dry wash cloth can be used as a telltale) It may leak right away or take a few days.

I have fixed leaks in tanks, but agree that it will best to exchange it for a new one if that is possible. I have found that trying to run a line of silicone only on a portion of a tank to not work out very well. If a tank leaks, I find it best to reseal all the corners at the same time. (In my experience the silicone needs to be applied in all corners while it is still tacky so that it will bond to itself at the apex of each side.) I also cut out the existing silicone with a utility knife from all corners before trying to seal with new stuff. (If the first application of new silicone does not seal the leak, I cut out all the silicone that I have just applied and seal the whole thing again.) I also find that the silicone tubes that fit in a caulking gun to be the most handy way to apply silicone. The tubes of silicone that you squeeze with your fingers are just too hard for me to control and I have not tried to use them in years. You can plug the end of a big tube of silicone with a nail or something round to keep it from curing too quickly, as you may need it again. (Note – When you cut the end of a silicone tube, make the first cut near the end so as to have a small opening. You can always cut off a little bit more if the bead of silicone is too small.) I had to seal a tank last summer that had sat empty for a lot of years, it took three tries. So, if possible take the tank back for an exchange or just but a new one. However for me there was always the need to figure out how to fix things and I will often spend more trying to solve a problem even if it is not practical.

 

[skjl47]

Hello; Forgot to caution about using a utility knife to cut out the old silicone. Wear eye protection and go easy on the glass, it is possible to create little chips or break the glass. I have done both. I also do this in a place where it does not matter if I bleed a bit. Usually on the tailgate of my pickup.

 

[nanu156]

back to cost effectiveness and effectiveness of the repair

first unfortunately on your fist reseal you are unlikely to be successful sorry i have tried to seal tanks that were worth saving (a fifty-five and a ninety gallon) im pretty handy and my dad had to redo one the other i just scrapped (a friend cut the glass and made lids that i sold at an auction actually) then i bought a new fifty-five for fifty dollars totally worth it after the pain in the neck i went through

second the cost of the silicone will be as much as replacing the ten gallon tank

third you can exchange the whole defunct setup at walmart so why bother with the first or second problem above when you can just have a new one

walmart wont require a receipt if they decide to dig their heels in (i doubt that they will) then you can buy a new setup bring the box home box up the old and return it for your money back (it will be a wash and you will have a new tank)

finally silicone can leech chemicals into a tank over time aquarium safe silicone is expensive as heck and isn't available in the tubes for the gun to my knowledge unless you are a wholesaler and are going to order it online with your license number

 

[skjl47]

Hello; It appears we have yet another difference of opinion. I do not, and perhaps others feel the same, like to trash something that can be fixed and continue in use. It does not always have to make financial sense. I learned to repair leaking tanks in cases where there was not the option to return them. Even so, I try to repair or repurpose most everything before getting rid of it.
If the store will do an exchange, that is the simplest route. I do not agree with the deceptive tactics suggested. The big store may not notice the difference, but it seems to me there may be some personal cost to such an activity.
Tanks that I have sealed have continued in use for a very long time, so I know it can be done. I do not know about the availability of specialized aquarium silicone one way or another. I will be looking for it when shopping in the future. I have used the good grades of 100% silicone that are available widely with no oblivious problems.
In the end it is up to each individual hobbyist as to how they wish to conduct the practice of fish keeping. The Op seemed to be thinking about sealing a tank. I posted some observations about my own efforts. It is up to the OP to decide how to proceed.

 

[OrangeCones]

walmart wont require a receipt if they decide to dig their heels in (i doubt that they will) then you can buy a new setup bring the box home box up the old and return it for your money back (it will be a wash and you will have a new tank)

Why advocate fraud? You've mentioned scamming Walmart on so many threads already.

finally silicone can leech chemicals into a tank over time aquarium safe silicone is expensive as heck and isn't available in the tubes for the gun to my knowledge unless you are a wholesaler and are going to order it online with your license number

I disagree that it isn't readily available. I buy it at Lowes and have build a lot of custom tanks over the years, as well replaced seams and whole panes of glass and made permanent (water-proof) dividers inside existing tanks, bulkheads for overflow leading to sumps, etc. I've never had a tank leak again due to my resealing efforts, nor is it a noticable repair.

We're all here to offer advice. There are as many opinions out there as there are fishkeepers.

 

[supra1997]

Is this a 10g tank we are talking about? I'm pretty sure its cheaper to just BUY A NEW ONE! They are like $8.99 at the LFS and at most $10.99. Why would you screw with silicone, time, and a mess when its not even 100%? JUST BUY A NEW ONE!!!

I understand if it is a bigger more expensive tank, but when its this small and cheap, just replace it and have a better night of sleep knowing it won't break on you.

I just spent an extra $75.00 and removed the old bulkheads on my 92 gallon corner tank. I re did all of the plumbing and made it the right way. Now it is perfect and I have no worries at night.

Point is, do it right the first time.

 

[nanu156]

ok returning a defictive product (filter and tank leak at 2 months old!!!!) for a working product isn't really a "scam". It is exchanging a defective product. If they say NO yeah we realize this is defective but you have to deal with the manufacturer on the defectiveness (sends you into the run around mode) and won't help you when they could DND (damaged and defective) out the product for a credit from the manufacturer (who they already have a relationship with) I don't view that as "wrong" particularly when we are talking about a store like Walmart with questionable at best relationships with manufacturers (for instance if they stop carrying a certian brand because the manufacturer wouldn't sell at the price that walmart wanted to pay it can literally drive a brand out of biz)

I am trying to encourage her to EXCHANGE the product, not try to get more then she paid or cash in her pocket. just to get a working non-defective product.

GE waterproof (not listed as aquarium safe) silicone is 4.99 then you need the gun for 2.98 making the grand total around 8.00 a 10g tank costs 8.00-10.00..... (at lowes)

Shop GE 9.8 oz Silicone I Waterproof Window & Door Clear Caulk at Lowes.com

although that is listed as "mildew resistant" which means it has chemical aditives that are toxic to fish. Hence them actually making "aquarium safe silicone" btw this is not available at depot or lowes in the large calk gun tube.

Aquarium Repair For The Beginner
How To Repair Small Leaks in Glass Aquariums in 9 Easy Steps

here are two sources that state kitchen/bath silicone is inappropriate for fish tanks due to chemical additives, it needs to be 100% silicone and marked non toxic.

I just checked the lowes site the only kind they sell is the aquarium safe kind that is listed to be safe for aquariums and 100% non-toxic

ok so the following questions occur to me

1. why spend more to repair something then it is worth new
2. why repair an obvious manufactures defect when the website for the manufacturer lists a 1yr warranty and the store you purchased it at will return it for you
3. it is both the tank and HOB that are problematic

The only way to re-seal the "trim leak" is to remove the trim, remove the bottom glass reseal all four walls cure then seal the trim back on, this is a big project particularly because again the costs are more then the replacement, the product is under warranty, and finally it can be returned.

As far as "samming walmart" they are going to send it back to the manufacturer as defective then get a credit, so other then their modest annoyance it is not really any skin off their back. They also have questionable business practices at best.

So again why repair this? It would be like taking my new under warranty car to a shop and paying for the repairs when the dealership would do them for fee... Ummm I'm sure you would tell me that was a dumb idea.

AquaCulture is a tetra brand by the way and their manufactures warranties are 2years for defective products.

 

[OrangeCones]

nanu156 - If a retail store will exchange the tank, I'd do that.

If they refuse (time limit since bought, no receipt, etc.), I would not advocate that the OP (or anyone else) pull the'scam' you advocate of taking the new product home, putting the old product in the new product's box, going back to the service desk with the old product in the new product's box and with the new product's receipt, and getting a refund. That is fraud, plain and simple.

If it were ME, and it was a 10 gallon tank, and I didn't already have the aquarium safe silicon on hand in the caulk tube (and yes, bought at Lowes, not all stores carry just what is on their website ~ I have a relative that is a district manager and I know where I was with him the last time I bought it over the summer), then I'd replace the tank (exchange it if the retailer allows it, or buy a new one). I certainly wouldn't defraud the retailer (who will then either have to write the loss off or try to defraud the supplier).

I mean, really, telling someone to put black magic marker dots over calcium deposits to 'make it look newer'?

I'm done here. Good luck to the OP.

 

[Monoxide]

Lets remember that this is not a 100G tank. Even in times as poor as this one. I still say just buy a newer tank. Or realize its a perfect time to move up in size of tanks*thumbsups I do not agree with buying a new item and sticking your old one in it to return for money. Even tho so many in the world does it. Its just like buying a outfit to wear to 1 time or deal. You buy it and take it back.

 

[nanu156]

well no not return for money, return for the same thing. not to profit just to have non defective merch.

the return policy is 90 days it was an xmas gift so say 12/15/2010 90 days would be 3/15/2011

so there exchange it return it for something better or just replace the tank but don't invest in re-sealing a tank that is worth 10.00 brand new

 

[Dylandrewsdad]

So return it, or write it off if the selling store will not let you return it. I did reseal a 30G tank with water and fish still in it because it was a PIA not too. But that is me!