Saltwater tank small leak

[fishylui]

Hello everyone, I just sold my 75 gallon tank to downgrade to a 13.5, it’s a Fluval EVO, I used it about 3 years ago, I went this morning and bought the sand, placed it on the tank and all, after the tank got filled I noticed a very small leak on the bottom corner, it takes about 10 minutes for it to make one drop of water, is there any suggestions for a fix without having to buy another new tank? I currently have 2 clowns sitting in a bucket waiting to get transferred, I used some sand from my old tank, the entire tank is filled with water from the old tank aswell, I have 2 live rocks also from the old tank in it and biomax.

 

[UncommonSense]

Hello everyone, I just sold my 75 gallon tank to downgrade to a 13.5, it’s a Fluval EVO, I used it about 3 years ago, I went this morning and bought the sand, placed it on the tank and all, after the tank got filled I noticed a very small leak on the bottom corner, it takes about 10 minutes for it to make one drop of water, is there any suggestions for a fix without having to buy another new tank? I currently have 2 clowns sitting in a bucket waiting to get transferred, I used some sand from my old tank, the entire tank is filled with water from the old tank aswell, I have 2 live rocks also from the old tank in it and biomax.

Oof… at the very least, this tank is going to need a reseal…

Ideally, adding a square glass rod siliconed to the interior of the tank along the leaking seam would be your best bet short of rebuilding the tank completely!

It’s a small tank, so this is a much easier fix than something like your old 75g!

 

[fishylui]

Alright! You think I’d be able to find it at Lowe’s or HD? The glass rod?

Also, what should I do with the clowns sitting in the bucket?

 

[UncommonSense]

Alright! You think I’d be able to find it at Lowe’s or HD? The glass rod?

Also, what should I do with the clowns sitting in the bucket?

Hmm… it isn’t super likely that the big box hardware stores will have any glass rod shapes with a right angle to fit nicely into the interior corner… they also might not have the best silicone sealant…

I recommend ordering your square glass rod online… (don’t go for triangular, I’ve already searched the bowels of the internet for them; they are all 60 degree triangles… I had to make my own from scratch…)

Order the thickest square rod that’s realistic; they are fragile! (Do NOT use plastic of any sort; silicone does not bond well to it…)

I personally use ASI brand 502 clear A aquarium silicone sealant for my projects; it’s available online too!

As far as the livestock? I recommend going to your local big box hardware store for a cheap plastic tote bin, or brute trash can to serve as a holding tank! — they work fantastic!

 

[UncommonSense]

I should add; I typically like to remove the silicone on the interior of the tank along the seam in question, leaving the seal between the panes intact…

this gives me a sharp 90 degree corner that the right angle glass rod fits into perfectly! — I always test fit my rod to ensure that it’s a perfect fit, then lay a silicone bead, and place the rod in final position by rolling it into place! (Check my tank thread if you’re curious to see how I did my 180g this way!)

 

[TheNative192]

Alright! You think I’d be able to find it at Lowe’s or HD? The glass rod?

Also, what should I do with the clowns sitting in the bucket?

Are you sure it is leaking? on my Fluval anytime I add water or do anything in the tank I occasionally get water on the outside and it drips on the outside in the corner and looks like a leak on the bottom but is not a leak. Did you see the water droplet form? I think the corners have a little space in-between the glass and seal so if water enters from the top dripping from your hand or from water change it takes a while & goes down and looks like a leak on my Fluval tank.

 

[fishylui]

Alright! You think I’d be able to find it at Lowe’s or HD? The glass rod?

Also, what should I do with the clowns sitting in the bucket?

Are you sure it is leaking? on my Fluval anytime I add water or do anything in the tank I occasionally get water on the outside and it drips on the outside in the corner and looks like a leak on the bottom but is not a leak. Did you see the water droplet form? I think the corners have a little space in-between the glass and seal so if water enters from the top dripping from your hand or from water change it takes a while & goes down and looks like a leak on my Fluval tank.

So it looked like the droplets were forming so I ran to my LFS and bought the epoxy thing and it did the job but now my wife’s saying when she touches that corner is moist…

 

[UncommonSense]

So it looked like the droplets were forming so I ran to my LFS and bought the epoxy thing and it did the job but now my wife’s saying when she touches that corner is moist…

Any sealant used will take time to cure, even underwater… the issue with sealing a leak underwater is that water tries to push a leakage channel through the sealing material… give it a day and see where it’s at…

Your best bet would be to do any work with the tank dry, typically!

 

[TheNative192]

So it looked like the droplets were forming so I ran to my LFS and bought the epoxy thing and it did the job but now my wife’s saying when she touches that corner is moist…

Epoxy takes 24 hours to fully cure for most brands usually 40 minutes before its usually able to support a structure of rocks and harden. There is a chance if it is a leak its towards the top and drips down as well. Silicone sealant is also preferred but you would have to remove the water as it is more flexible and will not crack. If its just two clowns you honestly can take a storage tote of plastic and drop an airstone and have the fish live in there while the silicone seals. Just do very light feeding if any. Epoxy will work but may leak again the future and it is hard to silicone seal after you use epoxy.

Put down a paper towel below the corner or even tape it to the glass where the leak was and give it an hour and see if any water is on the paper towel.

 

[fishylui]

Okay so quick update, the epoxy is set on the bottom, I checked all around the tank, it’s been 4 hours since I last checked and where it was leaking it was moist and I put a dry paper towel under it, and I just checked and the paper towel is dry but the glass is still moist, what even is happening lol

 

[UncommonSense]

Okay so quick update, the epoxy is set on the bottom, I checked all around the tank, it’s been 4 hours since I last checked and where it was leaking it was moist and I put a dry paper towel under it, and I just checked and the paper towel is dry but the glass is still moist, what even is happening lol

It’s slowly weeping; possibly drying before it reaches the towel…

Try wiping the entire area dry, then reset the dry paper towel… — check back in an hour to see if glass is wet again!

 

[fishylui]

Yeah it is barely anything now but it’s still weeping…

 

[UncommonSense]

Yeah it is barely anything now but it’s still weeping…

Aquarium silicone sealant is going to be your best bet forward here, honestly… just move things to a plastic container to keep cycling while you work on the tank dry!