Is my tank leaking from the seam?

mr fishy 3000 · Nov 1, 2024

Hi Everyone,

I bought a used tank over 11 years ago now off craigslist. I have no clue what the actual age of the tank is. If I remember correctly it is a Aqueon 75 G tank. Recently I have started to notice salt creep build up on the bottom front seam of the tank. I know it leaks from the bulkhead in the back, but I was wondering if there is anyway to find out if this salt creep build up is from that or if the seals are finally starting to go?

It has salt creep on both 48" long sides, but non on the 18" long sides. That is what makes me think it is coming from the bottom front seem. The back is obviously from the bulkhead.

All the photos are pictures of the bottom seam.

Thanks!

MoshJosh · Nov 1, 2024

Definitely looks like leaking from that bulkhead. The other salt creep COULD be from water that spilled into the space between the glass and the rim (either from the bulkhead leak or from the normal maintenance type spills) that is creeping up. . . You could start by fixing the bulkhead issue, clean and dry everything very well, then see is more salt creep occurs in those other areas. . .

All that said, the general consensus is aquarium silicone is good for about 20 years. . . so may be time to start thinking of other options?

mr fishy 3000 · Nov 1, 2024

MoshJosh said:
Definitely looks like leaking from that bulkhead. The other salt creep COULD be from water that spilled into the space between the glass and the rim (either from the bulkhead leak or from the normal maintenance type spills) that is creeping up. . . You could start by fixing the bulkhead issue, clean and dry everything very well, then see is more salt creep occurs in those other areas. . .

All that said, the general consensus is aquarium silicone is good for about 20 years. . . so may be time to start thinking of other options?

Water doesn't get spilled on that side of the tank, the only way it would get there is from the other side or through the seem.

mr fishy 3000 · Nov 1, 2024

mr fishy 3000 said:
Water doesn't get spilled on that side of the tank, the only way it would get there is from the other side or through the seem.

But I would assume the water would need to have salt creep on all the sides, also I have read when a seem goes it usually goes fast!

AetherealKnight · Nov 1, 2024

Get it fixed (Redo the seam), or just replace it with a new 75 tank. Better to be safe than sorry, good luck!

MoshJosh · Nov 1, 2024

mr fishy 3000 said:
But I would assume the water would need to have salt creep on all the sides, also I have read when a seem goes it usually goes fast!

I'll be honest, most the seem failures I have read about are on rimless aquariums, and in those cases yes, it appears that by the time the issue is discovered there is little time before it blows out. That said, IME, rimmed and rimless tanks are very different. And to that end I have seen more issues with rimmed tanks leaking than seams catastrophically failing. That is all just my anecdotal experience/what I have read about seam failures. EDIT: That is not to say that rimmed tanks cannot catastrophically fail or that a leak is a non issue. Rather I am saying that just because your tank hasn't exploded doesn't mean there is not a problem haha

That said, any salt creep you are seeing on the side with the bulkhead can likely be explained but the bulkhead leak and the water/salt making it's way to the bottom rim. . . though it is possible there is leaking there as well. On the other sides it is hard to say and very well could be some sort of leak.

Regardless, your silicone is very old at this point, at least 11 years old and likely more, so it may be time to replace the tank or re-silicone it. As said above, better to be safe than sorry for sure.