My new(er) 220!

[fish fan]

So, I bought a 220 off of craigslist.  This tank had never been used.  No scratches and it held water.  I set it up with a nice sand bed and some texas holey rock.  Started filling it up slowly over a span of a few hours.  I put 3 filters from other tanks on this and started it all up.  I was to the point of letting the fish out of the bags and.....drip, drip, drip woosh.  The water can gushing out.  Needless to say this f***ed up my weekend.  So now I need to clean this out and have it resealed.  Is there a company out there that will do that and guarantee it?  I don't want to try it myself on this large of a tank. 

[Ron]

How much water poured out? Where did the seam fail?

On one hand I've been looking at large tanks, but on the other I'm worried about the catastrophic failure potential of a big tank. I've dealt with 10, 20, and 50s leaking, and just a little water sure goes a long ways.

[RichE]

Sorry to hear that man.

As to re-sealing it, I just did a 55 gallon and it was easy.

I went above and beyond when I did it and made sure I got every last piece of silicone out and then some. I went thru about 5 razor blades, and then I taped off the area around the seams with enough of a gap(about 1/2") to allow silicone.

Just do one section at a time, don't be shy with the silicone, wear rubber gloves and when you have the silicone in between the tape, start at the corner or bottom and run your finger up or sideways depending which seam you are doing.

Once you are done remove the tape, and let it dry. Use acetone to remove any unwanted silicone.

Wait 48 hrs before adding water and then another 24 hrs before adding fish

Make sure you are in a well ventilated area as using this much silicone it will start to burn your eyes and stink to high heaven

Any questions ask away, as I am very Diy and cheap LOL

good Luck and again sorry to hear about the leak

[fish fan]

How much water poured out? Where did the seam fail?

On one hand I've been looking at large tanks, but on the other I'm worried about the catastrophic failure potential of a big tank. I've dealt with 10, 20, and 50s leaking, and just a little water sure goes a long ways.

Just about all of it.  I had a python hose filling it up an as soon as the water level reached the bottom of the top brace is when the waterfall beagen.  The seam failed on the bottom pane.  I only know this because the sand was flowing out with the water.  Lucky I was standing there when it happened and took both of my siphons and ran them outside as well as bailing with a 5 gallon bucket faster than I have ever done anything in my life!  LOL, and the wife happened to come down to look at it as this happened.   I think it would be a hard sell to my wife if I reseal myself, that is why I am looking for professional help.

[runawaypencil]

If your doing it you should always first test fill up tanks in the drive way i know its getting cold so it kind of sucks   But as you can see much better then flooding your house.  In my area 100 gallons cost $1   so its not like it cost much to do...    I have also heard of some companies making large tank like that size and building them for reptile use and use much lower grade products to make the tank cost alot less..  Just thoughts i had on your situation. 

[fish fan]

The tank was tested, it held for 2 hours, otherwise I wouldn't have bought it.

[Marty]

If your doing it you should always first test fill up tanks in the drive way i know its getting cold so it kind of sucks   But as you can see much better then flooding your house.  In my area 100 gallons cost $1   so its not like it cost much to do...    I have also heard of some companies making large tank like that size and building them for reptile use and use much lower grade products to make the tank cost alot less..  Just thoughts i had on your situation.

What would they use that's a lower grade?  The components consist of a plastic frame, glass, and silicone.  The plastic frame is the same regardless of whether it's for a reptile or fish, the glass didn't break, so that's not the issue.

That leaves silicone,  my guess is that either enough silicone wasn't used, or moving the aquarium somehow broke the bond of the silicone between the joints of the aquarium, and the pressure of the full tank caused the leak (or a combination of both).

[Ron]

What would they use that's a lower grade?  The components consist of a plastic frame, glass, and silicone.  The plastic frame is the same regardless of whether it's for a reptile or fish, the glass didn't break, so that's not the issue.

I believe that there are some which use thinner glass not designed to hold the pressure when filled with water without catastrophic deflection. That's the one way to save cost.

That leaves silicone,  my guess is that either enough silicone wasn't used, or moving the aquarium somehow broke the bond of the silicone between the joints of the aquarium, and the pressure of the full tank caused the leak (or a combination of both).

That's my thought as well - perhaps it dried out or was left in an unheated area and experienced freezing temperatures.

[Thriftyfisher]

If you do it yourself purchase some Dow Corning OS-2 silicone cleaner.  After you scrap the silicone with the razor blade srub the glass with the OS-2 to get the silicone film off so that the new silicone will adhere to the glass better.

[Helloitsme]

Bummer!

[css merrimac]

How much water poured out? Where did the seam fail?

On one hand I've been looking at large tanks, but on the other I'm worried about the catastrophic failure potential of a big tank. I've dealt with 10, 20, and 50s leaking, and just a little water sure goes a long ways.

Just about all of it.  I had a python hose filling it up an as soon as the water level reached the bottom of the top brace is when the waterfall beagen.  The seam failed on the bottom pane.  I only know this because the sand was flowing out with the water.  Lucky I was standing there when it happened and took both of my siphons and ran them outside as well as bailing with a 5 gallon bucket faster than I have ever done anything in my life!  LOL, and the wife happened to come down to look at it as this happened.   I think it would be a hard sell to my wife if I reseal myself, that is why I am looking for professional help.

** Wouldn't you know it--"The Wife" --came onto the "scene" at the wrong time.    To the wife...it was...Perfect Timing.. ..shock city for the Hubby..."can you come back later dear"...LOL...  Sorry this happened--what a Bummer!! 

[runawaypencil]

There is an aquarim maker around 14mile and Dequinderthe name escapes me right now but they will reseal any tank you want its kinda set back off the road and looks like it wouldn't be open to the public but it is, and very nice guys..  Its actually South of 14mile on the east side of Dequnider

[beach]

oh no! thats terrible!     

[Frontboy7]

There is an aquarim maker around 14mile and Dequinderthe name escapes me right now but they will reseal any tank you want its kinda set back off the road and looks like it wouldn't be open to the public but it is, and very nice guys..  Its actually South of 14mile on the east side of Dequnider

Great Lakes Aquarium is the name of the place.  They are awesome.

[fish fan]

There is an aquarim maker around 14mile and Dequinderthe name escapes me right now but they will reseal any tank you want its kinda set back off the road and looks like it wouldn't be open to the public but it is, and very nice guys..  Its actually South of 14mile on the east side of Dequnider

Great Lakes Aquarium is the name of the place.  They are awesome.

They are the first and only place I contacted.  Unfortunately they will not do a reseal.  They said too much work, and they don't want to be liable for the type of tank it is.  30" high is what they believe is the problem.  I'm still on the fence about doing this myself.  Unless someone is looking for a project and want to buy this off of me