Leaking...

[AmandaRaeJean]

Hey guys. I have a 265 gallon tank that seems to be leaking from the trim at the top. It was a old tank that I bought and re-siliconed every inch, except the top trim. I didn't even think about that. What are my options to fix this? Can I lower the water level, let it dry out, and attempt to seal it? Are there any type of "fixes" I can try to avoid just keeping the water level below the trim. It is a very small leak, more like a drip every now and again. Just enough to make a streak down the front of the tank. Any suggestions would help! Thanks.

 

[Jay_M]

Not close to the corners?

 

[AmandaRaeJean]

No. You can sort of see the water line from the leak in this picture.

 

[Brew12]

No. You can sort of see the water line from the leak in this picture.

Can't help but wonder if you could just hit that top seam with some reef safe superglue. That way you don't need to worry about cure times.

 

[AmandaRaeJean]

That's what I was hoping to hear. I already tried the lowering water, silicone attempt. And letting cure. It worked for a while. Then started in another spot. It's frustrating. I am heading to lfs now to see what they may have.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I'm thinking the water level in the DT is too high. If the water is hitting that top trim on the inside, I could see capillary action sucking it over to the outside...but is shouldn't be hitting that top trim. Try two things....

1. Clean the saw teeth in your overflow
2. Turn down the flow rate of the return pump coming up from your sump.

 

[AmandaRaeJean]

Thanks, I'll try that first!

 

[AmandaRaeJean]

I'm thinking the water level in the DT is too high. If the water is hitting that top trim on the inside, I could see capillary action sucking it over to the outside...but is shouldn't be hitting that top trim. Try two things....

1. Clean the saw teeth in your overflow
2. Turn down the flow rate of the return pump coming up from your sump.

So I cleaned the teeth, they didn't seem to have any blockage of any sort. The return was also turned down. It doesn't seem to help. It seems to be leaking in 3 spots in the front of the DT. The water level is just at the black rim on the inside. It is no where near the top. Any thoughts?

 

[themcnertney]

I'm thinking the water level in the DT is too high.

Boom. My thoughts exactly.

 

[redfishbluefish]

If water is touching the plastic trim on the inside.....it's too high.

Turn down your flow so that the water is just above the lower edge of the outside part of the trim.


Just to make sure, what return pump are you using, how big is your DT, and how many and what diameter are the drain pipe(s)? You're either pumping too much water into the DT, or your drain lines are not allowing the water to exit quick enough.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

If the super glue doesn't work, since it's what appears to be a small amount that's not necessarily under water pressure, would it be possible to run a small bead of maybe on the exterior under that lip all the way around? You could cut clean with a razor blade so doesnt stick out like a sore thumb.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

If water is touching the plastic trim on the inside.....it's too high.

Turn down your flow so that the water is just above the lower edge of the outside part of the trim.


Just to make sure, what return pump are you using, how big is your DT, and how many and what diameter are the drain pipe(s)?

I tend to agree with this, I overfilled my 20L when added some rock and had the same problem. Brought the level down a bit and never saw it again.

 

[AmandaRaeJean]

I am using a lifegard quite1one model 5000/1458gph .... the tank is 265 gallons with a 55 gallon sump and there are two drain pipes going to the sump with the diameter of 2 inches each

 

[AmandaRaeJean]

The overflow box being used is Eshopps PF-1800 Hang on Overflow Box up to 300gal Aquarium Fish Tank Dual Intake

 

[redfishbluefish]

OK....a hang on the back overflow. Are there adjustments on that overflow to lower it down into the tank? Now I'm thinking your saw teeth are just set too high, keeping the water level in the tank too high.

 

[AmandaRaeJean]

OK....a hang on the back overflow. Are there adjustments on that overflow to lower it down into the tank? Now I'm thinking your saw teeth are just set too high, keeping the water level in the tank too high.

 

[AmandaRaeJean]

Yes there are adjustments but it needs more than what it is already set at?

 

[Brew12]

If the super glue doesn't work, since it's what appears to be a small amount that's not necessarily under water pressure, would it be possible to run a small bead of maybe on the exterior under that lip all the way around? You could cut clean with a razor blade so doesnt stick out like a sore thumb.

My superglue idea was bad advice. It's really best to get the water level down to where it needs to be.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Yes there are adjustments but it needs more than what it is already set at?

I don't know what this means???

But your problem is that overflow.....it's not draining properly. If I'm not mistake, that has two siphon tubes....are both tubes there? And running?

 

[AmandaRaeJean]

I don't know what this means???

But your problem is that overflow.....it's not draining properly. If I'm not mistake, that has two siphon tubes....are both tubes there? And running?

Yes, both tubes are there and running. I thought the overflow was in enough. Maybe not.