Could a tank leak just by sitting around?

fishnugget · 12/09/2008, 03:15 PM

I have had a 210 gallon tank operating for 5 years. A year ago I drained tank and left it on stand in air conditioning for @ 1 year empty (dry).

Can seals dry out this way or highly unlikely since tank has been untouched in same environment it was running in? Concerned about potential leaking. Never did before?

chetscc · 12/09/2008, 03:31 PM

I am not sure how long seals are supposed to last. I had two 55 gallon aquariums since high school both of which were tore down and set up multiple times since then. It was only after approx 12 years before the first one leaked. I did not give the second one a chance to leak and resealed it. Oh and the seals appeared bad on the second one. When I would run my fingers along them they would fall off of the glass.

BeanAnimal · 12/13/2008, 05:38 PM

You should be fine fishnugget. Silicone sealants can dry out over time, but your storage situation does not sound harsh at all

45commando · 12/13/2008, 05:52 PM

Hi Rich,
are you setting up the tank again?From what I've heard,tanks tend to fail more from being moved-rather than just being stored-I'm assuming due to the flexing at the joints.I don't think you'll have any issues.HTH

MeVsTheWorld · 12/13/2008, 06:12 PM

Probably wouldn't hurt to fill with tap and let sit overnight.

Paulairduck · 12/15/2008, 05:30 AM

hope not I got a few tanks sitting MT

12/09/2008, 03:15 PM	#1
fishnugget Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Parkland, Florida Posts: 1,164	Could a tank leak just by sitting around? I have had a 210 gallon tank operating for 5 years. A year ago I drained tank and left it on stand in air conditioning for @ 1 year empty (dry). Can seals dry out this way or highly unlikely since tank has been untouched in same environment it was running in? Concerned about potential leaking. Never did before?

12/13/2008, 05:52 PM	#4
45commando Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 1,321	Hi Rich, are you setting up the tank again?From what I've heard,tanks tend to fail more from being moved-rather than just being stored-I'm assuming due to the flexing at the joints.I don't think you'll have any issues.HTH __________________ "It's not the size of the dog in the fight;It's the size of the fight in the dog!" -Sir Winston Churchill. Current Tank Info: 92G Corner tank, 250 wt 14K MH, 20G sump, 5G fuge, mixed reef

12/09/2008, 03:31 PM	#2
chetscc Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Milan, MI Posts: 154	I am not sure how long seals are supposed to last. I had two 55 gallon aquariums since high school both of which were tore down and set up multiple times since then. It was only after approx 12 years before the first one leaked. I did not give the second one a chance to leak and resealed it. Oh and the seals appeared bad on the second one. When I would run my fingers along them they would fall off of the glass.

12/13/2008, 05:38 PM	#3
BeanAnimal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 20,772	You should be fine fishnugget. Silicone sealants can dry out over time, but your storage situation does not sound harsh at all

12/13/2008, 06:12 PM	#5
MeVsTheWorld Salt Creep Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Stow, Ohio Posts: 1,235	Probably wouldn't hurt to fill with tap and let sit overnight.

12/15/2008, 05:30 AM	#6
Paulairduck I LOVE FREE FRAGS!!! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chino Hills Posts: 2,909	hope not I got a few tanks sitting MT