Possible water leak?

LightFusion · 08/09/2012, 06:50 PM

This is the first time I've filled a tank so large, so forgive me if I sound like an idiot.

I first leak tested this tank a couple weeks ago and it seemed OK. I filled it about 30% and waited a day, then about 80% and waited another day. The only water outside the tank I noticed was under the tank itself, it wasn't major, just some drops hanging from the bottom glass that I assumed was condensation. (I filled the tank with a garden hose).

Now I have it sitting on my stand and have the water about to that 80% mark again and I'm seeing the plywood under the tank getting wet. I put some cheap carpet under the tank to help distribute the weight. The carpet it also wet and I can squeeze water out of it were it hangs over the edge.

Could this be condensation? There is no condensation on the tank itself, and I cannot see the bottom because of the sand. I'm going to move the sand around and see if i can tell whats going on, and also mark the water line and see where it stands in the morning.

Any help/info/opinions will help

...Thanks

Agu · 08/09/2012, 07:12 PM

First, if you put carpet between the stand and tank, drain the tank and remove it now. If it's a glass tank they're designed to sit right on the stand. Some acrylic tanks require a thin layer of styrofoam , but not all. Carpet isn't a viable alternative because it'll absorb moisture and start to deteriorate and stink. That would be a good time to dry everything out and check for any obvious leaks.

With that much moisture it could have a leak, or it could be condensation if the water was super cold. Is the tank drilled ? If so have you checked the bulkheads and plumbing ?

Palting · 08/09/2012, 07:13 PM

Yup, that's a leak, not condensation.

A seam may have gone bad, and the problem is that the only true solution is take the whole seam down and redo it. Spot fixing a seam is just asking for trouble.

Blitzie · 08/09/2012, 07:20 PM

If your tank has a black frame around it you do not need anything under it and shouldn't have anything touching the glass under it

If you have a tank without a frame the check with the manufacturer take for example this link from glass cages were they want 3/4 foam
http://www.glasscages.com/?sAction=AqWarranty

I have seen these same manufacturer instructions on multiple websites so if you have a frameless tank do your research

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

LightFusion · 08/09/2012, 08:33 PM

I bought the tank used, no obvious manufacturer marks except a tag that says assembled by dave. Thanks for the advice tho. I will drain the tank and remove the carpet, find something to do with the sand while i research a fix.

LightFusion · 08/18/2012, 11:10 AM

Well I've resealed the inner seal on the tank and it has been holder strong for 4 days now. However, I only have it half full because I noticed some cracks in the upper frame. I'm not sure if they are new, but i'm pretty sure they are the reason the tank started leaking. So i've ordered a new frame and will install it in 3 days.

If you want to see the frame damage check out my other thread on it:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2201978

08/09/2012, 06:50 PM	#1
LightFusion Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Central IL Posts: 18	Possible water leak? This is the first time I've filled a tank so large, so forgive me if I sound like an idiot. I first leak tested this tank a couple weeks ago and it seemed OK. I filled it about 30% and waited a day, then about 80% and waited another day. The only water outside the tank I noticed was under the tank itself, it wasn't major, just some drops hanging from the bottom glass that I assumed was condensation. (I filled the tank with a garden hose). Now I have it sitting on my stand and have the water about to that 80% mark again and I'm seeing the plywood under the tank getting wet. I put some cheap carpet under the tank to help distribute the weight. The carpet it also wet and I can squeeze water out of it were it hangs over the edge. Could this be condensation? There is no condensation on the tank itself, and I cannot see the bottom because of the sand. I'm going to move the sand around and see if i can tell whats going on, and also mark the water line and see where it stands in the morning. Any help/info/opinions will help ...Thanks

08/09/2012, 07:12 PM	#2
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	First, if you put carpet between the stand and tank, drain the tank and remove it now. If it's a glass tank they're designed to sit right on the stand. Some acrylic tanks require a thin layer of styrofoam , but not all. Carpet isn't a viable alternative because it'll absorb moisture and start to deteriorate and stink. That would be a good time to dry everything out and check for any obvious leaks. With that much moisture it could have a leak, or it could be condensation if the water was super cold. Is the tank drilled ? If so have you checked the bulkheads and plumbing ? __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

08/09/2012, 07:13 PM	#3
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	Yup, that's a leak, not condensation. A seam may have gone bad, and the problem is that the only true solution is take the whole seam down and redo it. Spot fixing a seam is just asking for trouble. __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

08/09/2012, 07:20 PM	#4
Blitzie CTARS Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Wallingford Ct. Posts: 995	If your tank has a black frame around it you do not need anything under it and shouldn't have anything touching the glass under it If you have a tank without a frame the check with the manufacturer take for example this link from glass cages were they want 3/4 foam http://www.glasscages.com/?sAction=AqWarranty I have seen these same manufacturer instructions on multiple websites so if you have a frameless tank do your research Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD __________________ 150 Gallon Acrylic 48 x 30 x 24 with external overflow with Bean drain system 3 Radions, Zeovit Powered, Apex Controlled, Lifereef Skimmer and Cal. Reactor Current Tank Info: 150 Gallon Mostly SPS

08/09/2012, 08:33 PM	#5
LightFusion Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Central IL Posts: 18	I bought the tank used, no obvious manufacturer marks except a tag that says assembled by dave. Thanks for the advice tho. I will drain the tank and remove the carpet, find something to do with the sand while i research a fix.

08/18/2012, 11:10 AM	#6
LightFusion Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Central IL Posts: 18	Well I've resealed the inner seal on the tank and it has been holder strong for 4 days now. However, I only have it half full because I noticed some cracks in the upper frame. I'm not sure if they are new, but i'm pretty sure they are the reason the tank started leaking. So i've ordered a new frame and will install it in 3 days. If you want to see the frame damage check out my other thread on it: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2201978