Can't find a leak! It's driving me nuts.

MammothReefer · 04/06/2011, 09:43 PM

I just picked up a used "frag" tank of a fellow RC member, and it turns out it's leaking.

It's 20x20x10 and an Advanced acrylic frag tank. (exact same as shown here)

http://cgi.ebay.com/20x20x10-Rimless...item2c52f002ff

The tank it's self (acrylic ect is in great shape) so instead of arguing back and forth on whether the person who sold it to me knew it leaked or something happened in transport I just want to fix it and move on.

However I can't seem to find the leak for the life of me. I can fill the tank up half way 3/4 of the way and it holds water no problem, but when I get about a half inch below the over flow grates it starts leaking. What gets me is it appears to be leaking out from the bottom of the tank. I felt around the edges and seams and can't find any water drips however if I line the perimeter with paper towels on the right side the towels start to get damp.

I drained the tank half way and again it holds water. The tank appears to be well made all the panels sit on a flat piece (so the sides aren't resting on the bottom). Before I just go agro and weldon every seem again, or glue in another layer of acrylic across the bottom. (making a mess of the tank). Any tips on trying to track down the leaks location? I see no cracks, or anything visible that would lead me to believe it's an issue. If I run around the edges with my finger nails I feel no gaps.

It appears to only leak under almost full load so I'm guessing it's putting stress on the joints even though it's a small (15g) frag tank.

Thanks in advance.
-B

edit: I found the leak while cleaning the tank with fresh water and vinegar, the next morning there was a small puddle under the stand.

fcmatt · 04/06/2011, 10:06 PM

i guess my only suggestion is the paper towel thing again.

lay out paper towels that is a big enough square that when you place the tank on it
you have paper towel sticking out a couple of inches.

fill the tank quickly and then examine the paper towel on each side to see what gets wet.
that way you know what side it is. also since the bottom is clear you should be able to
see if it somehow gets damp in the middle (pinhole leak?). as in watch the paper towel closely
to see what area is leaking down to an inch or two. i guess that is my point. You tried it once
but this time watch it so closely you know the exact area plus or minus an inch.

once you know that you can examine it closely with a magnifying glass in a localized area.

MammothReefer · 04/29/2011, 05:41 PM

Just a follow up. I went over all the seams with Weld-On 4. It sealed it up. Never found the leak but it dosn't leak anymore, and weld-on 4 went on clean.

tkeracer619 · 04/29/2011, 07:56 PM

nice. Way to get it done instead of complaining

04/06/2011, 09:43 PM	#1
MammothReefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mammoth Lakes, CA Posts: 3,442	Can't find a leak! It's driving me nuts. I just picked up a used "frag" tank of a fellow RC member, and it turns out it's leaking. It's 20x20x10 and an Advanced acrylic frag tank. (exact same as shown here) http://cgi.ebay.com/20x20x10-Rimless...item2c52f002ff The tank it's self (acrylic ect is in great shape) so instead of arguing back and forth on whether the person who sold it to me knew it leaked or something happened in transport I just want to fix it and move on. However I can't seem to find the leak for the life of me. I can fill the tank up half way 3/4 of the way and it holds water no problem, but when I get about a half inch below the over flow grates it starts leaking. What gets me is it appears to be leaking out from the bottom of the tank. I felt around the edges and seams and can't find any water drips however if I line the perimeter with paper towels on the right side the towels start to get damp. I drained the tank half way and again it holds water. The tank appears to be well made all the panels sit on a flat piece (so the sides aren't resting on the bottom). Before I just go agro and weldon every seem again, or glue in another layer of acrylic across the bottom. (making a mess of the tank). Any tips on trying to track down the leaks location? I see no cracks, or anything visible that would lead me to believe it's an issue. If I run around the edges with my finger nails I feel no gaps. It appears to only leak under almost full load so I'm guessing it's putting stress on the joints even though it's a small (15g) frag tank. Thanks in advance. -B edit: I found the leak while cleaning the tank with fresh water and vinegar, the next morning there was a small puddle under the stand. __________________ Reefin @ 8298' Current Tank Info: 105 Peninsula

04/29/2011, 05:41 PM	#3
MammothReefer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mammoth Lakes, CA Posts: 3,442	Just a follow up. I went over all the seams with Weld-On 4. It sealed it up. Never found the leak but it dosn't leak anymore, and weld-on 4 went on clean. __________________ Reefin @ 8298' Current Tank Info: 105 Peninsula

04/29/2011, 07:56 PM	#4
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	nice. Way to get it done instead of complaining __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Salinity Calibration Fluid: It's driving me nuts	mobujen	The Reef Chemistry Forum	6	11/03/2007 10:08 PM
Can't find leak	u4ick	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	1	07/25/2007 10:31 PM
can't find leak	tiberiusjones	East Tennessee Reef Club	21	03/09/2007 02:29 PM
This stuff is driving me nuts!!! It's EVERYWHERE	MaryBebo	Alabama Reef Addicts	32	01/22/2007 02:26 PM

04/06/2011, 10:06 PM	#2
fcmatt Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NH Posts: 850	i guess my only suggestion is the paper towel thing again. lay out paper towels that is a big enough square that when you place the tank on it you have paper towel sticking out a couple of inches. fill the tank quickly and then examine the paper towel on each side to see what gets wet. that way you know what side it is. also since the bottom is clear you should be able to see if it somehow gets damp in the middle (pinhole leak?). as in watch the paper towel closely to see what area is leaking down to an inch or two. i guess that is my point. You tried it once but this time watch it so closely you know the exact area plus or minus an inch. once you know that you can examine it closely with a magnifying glass in a localized area.