Tank Leak! - What Silicone to Use?

[howdy20012002]

you will need to find some silicon that doesn't have anti-mildew additive.
I don't think there are anymore brands that you can use that you can buy at a hardware or lumber store anymore as they now all have the anti-mildew additve.
you are going to need to get some from a fish store that is specifically designed for aquariums.
ideally, you should redo the whole seam
however, bare minimum - you will have to drain the tank to at least below the leak
I personally would scrap away all the silicon around where it is leaking with a razor blade - don't cut between the glass just the seal bead running along the inside of the tank.
then apply a seal bead along the area.
wait at least 24 hours and refill the tank.
wish I had better news - it is going to be a pain in the a$$
good luck
Neal

[Oscar]

Originally Posted by howdy20012002

you will need to find some silicon that doesn't have anti-mildew additive.
I don't think there are anymore brands that you can use that you can buy at a hardware or lumber store anymore as they now all have the anti-mildew additve.
you are going to need to get some from a fish store that is specifically designed for aquariums.
ideally, you should redo the whole seam
however, bare minimum - you will have to drain the tank to at least below the leak
I personally would scrap away all the silicon around where it is leaking with a razor blade - don't cut between the glass just the seal bead running along the inside of the tank.
then apply a seal bead along the area.
wait at least 24 hours and refill the tank.
wish I had better news - it is going to be a pain in the a$$
good luck
Neal

Thanks to everyone with the prompt responses. I bailed from work to see if I could solve this, more considered about water damage at this stage.

One minor blessing is that this tank is an AIO and the leak appears to be in the rear chambers. That means I should be able to drain the rear chambers only.

I think I have some aquarium silicone around somewhere. I will have to double check on that.

[Oscar]

I was mistaken, no silicone at home.

I will head to Home Hardware to see if I can find the silicone that Fragit Dan suggested.

A few of you mentioned replacing the tank. Why? Are repairs not successful?

grant

[mseepman]

Yikes Grant,

Worst cast scenario, I'm pretty sure that one of the two reef stores in Kelowna will have some type of silicone.

Have you located that exact spot that it's leaking?

[Oscar]

Originally Posted by mseepman

Yikes Grant,

Worst cast scenario, I'm pretty sure that one of the two reef stores in Kelowna will have some type of silicone.

Have you located that exact spot that it's leaking?

Mark:

It is a small leak and of course at the bottom of the tank not the top.

I picked up a tube of Home Hardware brand (aqaurium safe) as mentioned in the previous link.

[reefwars]

make a temporary fix but id look into replacing the tank, i know its an aio so hard and a bit expensive to upgrade but its something i would do fopr sure, plus it would bring some life back into the hobby for you starting over a new tank does for me anyways:P

[Oscar]

Originally Posted by reefwars

make a temporary fix but id look into replacing the tank, i know its an aio so hard and a bit expensive to upgrade but its something i would do fopr sure, plus it would bring some life back into the hobby for you starting over a new tank does for me anyways:P

I will have to consider that. I have certainly learned a lot over the past 4 years and may have not gone the AIO tank if I was to start over. Either new tank or getting out of the hobby entirely.
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But back to the repairs: Cut out the offending silicone or apply fresh silicone over it?

If I have to drain the entire set of rear chambers I will apply silicone over the entire old silicone while I am at it.

[mseepman]

Silicone doesn't stick to silicone...at least I've never had any luck with that. I would say some removal will be required.

[Mandosh]

Originally Posted by Oscar

A few of you mentioned replacing the tank. Why? Are repairs not successful?

grant

It's more the fact the repairing a tank is a pain and takes time to do properly. If you had a smaller, standard-sized tank, it is usually easier to just spend the extra bit of money and buy a different tank.

[sphelps]

A tank leak can cause significantly more damage than what the tank is worth. Tanks usually leak a reason other than one particular defective seam meaning if you repair one leak another could potentially form somewhere else shortly after. Repairs are also difficult and sometimes not possible, just running another bead over the existing one will likely offer a temporary fix.

So depending on the size, value and age of the tank, more often than not it's a better move to replace the tank completely.