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Post by coco on May 21, 2016 18:11:17 GMT -5
Ok...I have a nightmare situation on hand here. My 55 just sprung a leak on the bottom where the plastic runs across the middle.  I placed a bucket under it. It is just dripping right now. Anything I can do to temporarily stop the leak until I can buy a new tank I guess? I wouldn't trust drying it out and sealing it. Plus I will have to put everyone in my 10 gallon while I switch over. Too many fish to fit in there for more than a day. |
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Post by Carl on May 21, 2016 18:37:16 GMT -5
Is there a visible crack? Gorilla Tape may help slow the leak. I would also relieve water pressure immediately by draining the tank as far down as you can that will still allow the filters to run. A 32 gallon rubbermaid container makes a good temporary fish tank (I used these regularly in my maintenance business). Just clean it wit a strong salt solution and rinse Sadly, your size aquarium is a very common one to leak and/or crack on the bottom as most manufacturers cut corners nowadays. A standard 55-60 gallon aquarium should ALWAYS have a 3/8" inch glass bottom, However most builder now use 1/4" glass all the way around (1/4" is fine for the side, but not the bottom for a 55 or larger aquarium) Also make sure it is built with float glass, NOT tempered glass Further information: www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2007/03/aquarium-silicone.html#diyCarl |
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Post by coco on May 21, 2016 19:16:08 GMT -5
There is no visible crack. It is dripping from where that plastic runs across the bottom. I just read your article. Do you know of a pacific brand that has the 3/8 float glass on bottom? Unfortunately, I will have to wait until tomorrow to get a new one. It is after 8:00p here. I only have Petsmart and Petco locally to buy from.
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Post by Carl on May 21, 2016 19:41:26 GMT -5
There is no visible crack. It is dripping from where that plastic runs across the bottom. I just read your article. Do you know of a pacific brand that has the 3/8 float glass on bottom? Unfortunately, I will have to wait until tomorrow to get a new one. It is after 8:00p here. I only have Petsmart and Petco locally to buy from. Unfortunately I do not. I would make sure to ask tomorrow Carl |
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Post by coco on May 21, 2016 19:57:42 GMT -5
Thanx Carl. What a nightmare. I have had leaks on the top sides before on other tanks, never the bottom. I do not have the space to upgrade the size of tank. Hopefully I can find the float glass with 3/8 bottom in a 55. I could just scream. This had to happen at night.
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Post by Carl on May 22, 2016 10:32:59 GMT -5
Thanx Carl. What a nightmare. I have had leaks on the top sides before on other tanks, never the bottom. I do not have the space to upgrade the size of tank. Hopefully I can find the float glass with 3/8 bottom in a 55. I could just scream. This had to happen at night. Sorry; it seems these things never happen when at least reasonably convenient (not that there really EVER is a good time) Carl |
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Post by childofiam on May 23, 2016 8:51:10 GMT -5
coco... sorry to hear about this....  |
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Post by troybtj on May 23, 2016 13:29:02 GMT -5
Thanx Carl. What a nightmare. I have had leaks on the top sides before on other tanks, never the bottom. I do not have the space to upgrade the size of tank. Hopefully I can find the float glass with 3/8 bottom in a 55. I could just scream. This had to happen at night. I'm sorry, when would you like me to schedule your next leak or failure? On a serious note, that has to suck, and I hope you get it all figured out. Leak could be about anywhere and seeping around to the front to drip if it is the slightest bit off level. If you purchased the tank from one of those chain stores, they might warranty it, but then you'd get a similar quality one. I think "All Glass Aquarium" brand is all there is to buy from in those stores. |
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Post by coco on May 26, 2016 12:41:18 GMT -5
coco... sorry to hear about this.... Thanks Richard. I got a new tank the next day(Sun). I started working on cleaning the sand and placing it in the new tank. Getting it partially filled with water. Then Mon afternoon I started to develop abdominal pain. Got admitted to the hospital with diverticulitis on Tues. Just got out. Needless to say, my new tank is sitting just where it was, my fish squished into about 22 gallons of water in a old tank, all my plants jammed into two 5 gallon buckets.  Hopefully I will feel up to starting it again tomorrow. Talk about bad timing. |
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Post by coco on May 26, 2016 12:49:13 GMT -5
Thanx Carl. What a nightmare. I have had leaks on the top sides before on other tanks, never the bottom. I do not have the space to upgrade the size of tank. Hopefully I can find the float glass with 3/8 bottom in a 55. I could just scream. This had to happen at night. I'm sorry, when would you like me to schedule your next leak or failure? On a serious note, that has to suck, and I hope you get it all figured out. Leak could be about anywhere and seeping around to the front to drip if it is the slightest bit off level. If you purchased the tank from one of those chain stores, they might warranty it, but then you'd get a similar quality one. I think "All Glass Aquarium" brand is all there is to buy from in those stores. OMG! Please don't schedule me another one anytime soon! There was no crack, just a leaking seam. Right on the bottom! The tank was 19 years old, and it was an "All Glass". There was next to nothing to choose from this time. I bought a "Top Fin" tank, which is Petsmart's brand name. I know they make poop heaters and pumps, hopefully their tanks are better. I have read that most tanks are made from a manufacture that makes brand name and generic tanks? Hopefully it will last a long time. |
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Post by cptcaveman on May 26, 2016 17:54:35 GMT -5
I have the same tank, and haven't had any issues in the 9 months (knock on driftwood). The heater has worked ok, and if you mean HOB filter by pump, the one I was using worked great once I figured it out, and the newer ones they have look pretty nifty for what they are/price.
I've heard Aqueon makes them for Petsmart (not sure if true).
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Post by Carl on May 26, 2016 18:17:25 GMT -5
I have the same tank, and haven't had any issues in the 9 months (knock on driftwood). The heater has worked ok, and if you mean HOB filter by pump, the one I was using worked great once I figured it out, and the newer ones they have look pretty nifty for what they are/price. I've heard Aqueon makes them for Petsmart (not sure if true). I am not sure, I would not be surprised though. I do know that no one single manufacturer makes all products for PetsMart I also do know that Aqueon took over for All Glass and All Glass did make a good aquarium 19 years is not bad, but generally 25 years is what I would expect Carl |
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Post by troybtj on May 26, 2016 20:18:52 GMT -5
Glad you got it all figured out! It's a pity you had to detour to the hospital, your fish could have gotten sick or even aired out.  Hope you are feeling all better, and you have no other disasters soon! My calendar doesn't show any at the moment, but you never know what gets penciled in at the last minute... |
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Post by childofiam on May 28, 2016 11:18:13 GMT -5
coco... sorry to hear about this.... Thanks Richard. I got a new tank the next day(Sun). I started working on cleaning the sand and placing it in the new tank. Getting it partially filled with water. Then Mon afternoon I started to develop abdominal pain. Got admitted to the hospital with diverticulitis on Tues. Just got out. Needless to say, my new tank is sitting just where it was, my fish squished into about 22 gallons of water in a old tank, all my plants jammed into two 5 gallon buckets. Hopefully I will feel up to starting it again tomorrow. Talk about bad timing. It could have been worse... it's a good thing you had the 22 gallon tank. My wife suffers from Diverticulitis as well so I feel for you. Richard |
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Post by angelminx on Jul 1, 2016 19:08:11 GMT -5
I definitely know what you mean by bad timing--it's a habit with me (ALWAYS on the Friday night of a 3-day weekend)! In fact just last Saturday I got a notice from Public Housing (so couldn't call them till Monday) saying that certain things were no longer going to be allowed to be kept outside the apartments (they will now have to be kept in our utility closet/shed--no shed and closet space is only about 15" x 18" after the furnace they put in there). I had to get permission to purchase a deck box to use (shovels, brooms, etc are in the closet). I used to have one that finally fell apart about 6 years ago, and never found another one that was affordable. The notice said that the things had to be cleaned away by June 30th, when they would come around to inspect their properties (I found out, today, in this month's newsletter that there were tons of residents getting the warnings). I got permission for the deck box and had to run down to Lowes (HD didn't have any in stock) to get it. Here comes the timing: after taxes (and discount) had to pay just under $100 for it; it had to be in place by the 30th, and today starts the quarter for the 5% chashback bonus at home improvement stores  ! I'm hoping I get no leaks (or anything else drastic happens) with my 55G while it is taken down (then re-set-up) while the pipes in the wall behind the tank are being fixed. I don't remember now when I got it, but it was at least 18 years ago. I had to get mine from Petsmart, because at the time that was the only place within 40 miles of where I live to get "fish stuff"--now I have Petco, too, and a small place in town that opened up last year--but I never paid attention to what tanks they had because I am not allowed to have anymore tanks. I did have to replace an ~ 30-year-old 15G tank (that I purchased when I lived in CA) about 10 years ago (I switched it out for one of the 10Gs I had) when it sprang a leak in a couple spots (one along the seam near the bottom, and the other somewhere under the plastic frame underneath the tank). |
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Post by parker002 on Jul 7, 2016 9:06:41 GMT -5
My 55G sprung a leak along the left bottom seam, the bottom glass just separated from the sealant enough to drain out all of the water onto my hardwood floors. It came from Petsmart. And of course, it happened during the night.
Fortunately, I was able to save all but 2 fish and relocate them to a good home.
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Post by coco on Jul 7, 2016 12:44:33 GMT -5
Oh man, Parker. You are so lucky you were able to save most of your fish. How long had you had that tank? I really didn't want a "Top fin" tank, but unfortunately I didn't have the luxury of time to search for a better one. I had to rush out the next morning to get one. There were very few choices. Your average 55 gallon rectangular tank seems to be a rarity these days.
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Post by parker002 on Jul 7, 2016 15:22:18 GMT -5
I had mine for like 7 years. I joined here in September 2009 and this happened a few months ago.
By the way, I'm trying to get rid of my setup and I noticed that 55G tanks are on sale at my Walmart for $169.
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Post by coco on Jul 7, 2016 16:25:30 GMT -5
7 years.  That's not very long. Mine better last close to 3 times that. |
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Post by childofiam on Jul 7, 2016 16:35:04 GMT -5
7 years. That's not very long. Mine better last close to 3 times that. When I was younger... 7 years was a very long time. Now it's only like the day after tomorrow... Richard |
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I placed a bucket under it. It is just dripping right now. Anything I can do to temporarily stop the leak until I can buy a new tank I guess? I wouldn't trust drying it out and sealing it. Plus I will have to put everyone in my 10 gallon while I switch over. Too many fish to fit in there for more than a day.
Hopefully I will feel up to starting it again tomorrow. Talk about bad timing.
!
That's not very long. Mine better last close to 3 times that. 