Leak in a second hand tank. It was full and leaked after a pro move. Let the pro reseal a portion like he wants, fully reseal, or cut my losses?

Fully reseal, let the pro do his thing, or cut my losses?

  • Cut your losses. I'd never trust that tank.

    Votes: 5 71.4%
  • His plan might work. He's a pro.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • His plan is crap, you have to pull off the overflow completely and reseal just the overflow.

    Votes: 1 14.3%
  • His plan is crap, you have to pull off all the silicone and completely reseal.

    Votes: 1 14.3%
  • His plan is crap, you have to remove all silicone, disassemble/reassemble the seams/resilicone.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Other

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    7

dbugg

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I'm a newb. The long story is posted here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/a...after-professional-move-what-do-i-do.1005503/

That link above is the story of my finding a great working 260g tank that I purchased second hand, hiring a pro to move to my house, and includes up-to-date status. Posting here for more coverage. I really need opinions on salvaging vs risk of future leaks vs cutting losses.

The short story is I have a leak. I'm weighing between resealing and scrapping the whole thing I got a great deal on this setup. Again, check out the link for all the details posted in the beginner thread. I waited a long time, searching second-hand sites, to find the perfectly shaped aquarium/stand for a very specific alcove in my house.

This is my best description of the leak: the water exits the tank only when the right overflow is filled. The water exits the tank at the bottom, when the bottom of the overflow is filled with only a little water. The overflow is three sided (this may be common I don't know), which makes me think the leak is actually coming from the seal of the back glass panel to the bottom, and that it just happens to be contained to the overflow area due to the side seals of the overflow. This could be way off I have no idea. The tank is tall and the leaking portion is unreachable by a human. The pro tried twice to just push silicone down the over flow and smush it at the bottom. It's still leaking. I'm frustrated.

This is the pro's new plan:
"I'd bring it to my garage. In order to access the bottom of the box, I'd have to cut an access hole in the overflow box near the bottom. It's acrylic, so I can patch and cover any hole I cut. With an access hole, I can get into the bottom of the overflow, cut out all of the silicone and reseal it."

I worry that 1.) this won't work because the leak may actually be as I describe, 2.) if it does work, it will be temporary and leak/flood my house later, 3.) everything I read says if you remove any silicone, you remove it all, and 4.) I'm confused about the resealing vs. disassembling and resealing. The tank and stand are beautiful and hard to find for the price I got for sure, including all the equipment and rock.

What would you do??

20230901_163228.jpg 20230901_163236.jpg 20230901_163244.jpg 20230901_163347.jpg 20230901_163358.jpg 20230901_164338.jpg 20230901_164419.jpg 20230901_164428.jpg IMG_20230802_074012.jpg IMG_20230802_074550_01.jpg
 

vetteguy53081

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I'm a newb. The long story is posted here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/a...after-professional-move-what-do-i-do.1005503/

That link above is the story of my finding a great working 260g tank that I purchased second hand, hiring a pro to move to my house, and includes up-to-date status. Posting here for more coverage. I really need opinions on salvaging vs risk of future leaks vs cutting losses.

The short story is I have a leak. I'm weighing between resealing and scrapping the whole thing I got a great deal on this setup. Again, check out the link for all the details posted in the beginner thread. I waited a long time, searching second-hand sites, to find the perfectly shaped aquarium/stand for a very specific alcove in my house.

This is my best description of the leak: the water exits the tank only when the right overflow is filled. The water exits the tank at the bottom, when the bottom of the overflow is filled with only a little water. The overflow is three sided (this may be common I don't know), which makes me think the leak is actually coming from the seal of the back glass panel to the bottom, and that it just happens to be contained to the overflow area due to the side seals of the overflow. This could be way off I have no idea. The tank is tall and the leaking portion is unreachable by a human. The pro tried twice to just push silicone down the over flow and smush it at the bottom. It's still leaking. I'm frustrated.

This is the pro's new plan:
"I'd bring it to my garage. In order to access the bottom of the box, I'd have to cut an access hole in the overflow box near the bottom. It's acrylic, so I can patch and cover any hole I cut. With an access hole, I can get into the bottom of the overflow, cut out all of the silicone and reseal it."

I worry that 1.) this won't work because the leak may actually be as I describe, 2.) if it does work, it will be temporary and leak/flood my house later, 3.) everything I read says if you remove any silicone, you remove it all, and 4.) I'm confused about the resealing vs. disassembling and resealing. The tank and stand are beautiful and hard to find for the price I got for sure, including all the equipment and rock.

What would you do??

20230901_163228.jpg 20230901_163236.jpg 20230901_163244.jpg 20230901_163347.jpg 20230901_163358.jpg 20230901_164338.jpg 20230901_164419.jpg 20230901_164428.jpg IMG_20230802_074012.jpg IMG_20230802_074550_01.jpg
You can do this repair yourself both effectively and economically. Message me if you want easy instructions.
 

vetteguy53081

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