Leaking tank

[Claus84]

Hoping to get some advice as my 300G has sprung a leak.

The tank is 6 years old, braced, steel-frame cabinet bought from a reputable manufacturer here in the UK. The leak is coming from the rear seam within one of the weir boxes, tank is 30" tall and the leak is around 13" down from the top. With the returns off the water level in the weir is around 5" above the leak point but despite that it does not leak until the returns are turned on and the level rises further. I can't see any damage or notice any lifting of the seam inside the weir, and given the location it's not somewhere that would be subject to any damage.

I'm waiting to speak to the manufacturer too when they open in a couple of hours but would appreciate any other opinions, given the location is fairly high up I should be able to drain the weir further and patch the leak point but is that likely to be effective?

thanks

 

[RockRash]

Can you post a picture? Is the leak coming from a bulkhead? External or external overflow?

 

[Claus84]

Can you post a picture? Is the leak coming from a bulkhead? External or external overflow?

yep sure they should hopefully be attached. The leak is coming from the rear corner vertical seam of the tank itself, within the overflow section.

it turns out there are multiple leaks along the seam, marked with arrows on the pic, which makes me think the seam might be failing. The tank manufacturer has recommended I get some G-clamps and clamp it pronto and then suggested applying silicone over the existing seam to see if this stems the leak.

Weirdly it is only leaking when the overflow is running, even though at least one of the leak points is below the water level when the returns are off, i would have thought the extra pressure from an extra 5-10 litres of water in the overflow wouldn't be that significant to then force a leak..

thanks

 

[Claus84]

anyone have any experience with ND Aquatics recently? I've got a 10 year old 4ft from them which is still going strong but keen to hear about recent experiences. Just spoken to them and they said they can have an 8fter ready for collection in 2 weeks or delivery in 3-4. I'd only be buying the tank and using my existing stand and sump.

cheers

 

[Mickey]

I'm no expert at all but I'd be very suspect of the other seams eventually failing if you have one failing now after only 6 years. If one seam is now bad, it's certainly possible.

I suppose you could clamp it as they suggest, then drain the overflow and apply new silicone to the inside corner and see if it holds. Don't remove the clamping straps until the silicone is fully cured, a couple days at least, and then watch it very carefully to see if there's any more leaking. However, I'm not sure I'd rest easy at all afterwards.

I have a 225 gal tank that has been up and running for over 20 years with no leaks.

Sorry, I don't know anything about NDAquatics.

 

[cedricwill91]

yep sure they should hopefully be attached. The leak is coming from the rear corner vertical seam of the tank itself, within the overflow section.

it turns out there are multiple leaks along the seam, marked with arrows on the pic, which makes me think the seam might be failing. The tank manufacturer has recommended I get some G-clamps and clamp it pronto and then suggested applying silicone over the existing seam to see if this stems the leak.

Weirdly it is only leaking when the overflow is running, even though at least one of the leak points is below the water level when the returns are off, i would have thought the extra pressure from an extra 5-10 litres of water in the overflow wouldn't be that significant to then force a leak..

thanks


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Hey Claus,
If multiple leaks are showing along that seam, it's likely a structural issue, not just a one off. Clamping and resealing with aquarium safe silicone might buy you time, but it’s a temporary fix at best. Given the size of the tank, I’d start planning for a replacement, better to be proactive than risk a full failure.

 

[Claus84]

Hey Claus,
If multiple leaks are showing along that seam, it's likely a structural issue, not just a one off. Clamping and resealing with aquarium safe silicone might buy you time, but it’s a temporary fix at best. Given the size of the tank, I’d start planning for a replacement, better to be proactive than risk a full failure.

Thanks, yeah I worked on the assumption that the tank was a goner, too much water and livestock to take the risk. Ordered a new tank which should now be arriving next week and my livestock have been residing in a 400l pond tub plumbed to my sump in the meantime, be glad to get the new one setup (as will my livestock i'm sure!).

Ended up dismanlting the old tank pane by pane using a decorators blade and strong fishing line to cut through the silicone, the problem seam in particular came apart way too easily so glad I didn't take the risk!

thanks